TUC calls for “national mission” to rid workplaces of asbestos

• At a union event to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day, Nowak will call for government-led programme to remove asbestos from schools and hospitals needed
• TUC general secretary Paul Nowak will separately lay a wreath at the Health and Safety Executive headquarters

The TUC general secretary Paul Nowak will today (Tuesday) call for a national mission to rid workplaces of asbestos at a union event in Liverpool marking IWMD. 

The union leader will warn the country needs a government programme of removal of asbestos from public buildings and workplaces like schools and hospitals.

Asbestos is the biggest occupational killer in Britain, and the country has the highest rate of asbestos cancers in the world. 

Separately, Paul Nowak will be laying a wreath at an event held at the HSE headquarters in Liverpool today to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day.

On the need to tackle asbestos in workplaces, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak will say:

“We have to be honest about the scale of the challenge we face. And none is bigger than asbestos. 

“It remains the biggest occupational killer in Britain. And we have the highest rate of asbestos cancers in the world. 

“Each year, more than 5,000 people die because of asbestos. That cannot be allowed to stand. 

“We know that workers in our schools, hospitals and other public buildings are still being exposed to this lethal substance, every day. 

“And that’s why the TUC is clear we need a fully funded, government-led programme to remove asbestos from every school and every hospital. 

“A national mission to rid our workplaces of this deadly material once and for all. 

“This is not just a policy ask — it is a public health necessity. Because prevention must mean elimination of risk, not just management of it.”