Calls For Improved Asbestos Management As Material Still Posing A Health Risk To Employees

Expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are supporting Action Mesothelioma Day 2015 and calling for significant improvements in the way asbestos is monitored and managed in public buildings, as the material still poses a potential major health risk.

Action Mesothelioma Day takes place on Friday 3 July and is dedicated to remembering victims of this asbestos-related disease and raising awareness of mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer caused by exposure to the harmful dust decades before symptoms present themselves.

Mesothelioma causes around 2,500 deaths every year, according to the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures, with the numbers continuing to rise.

Specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are campaigning for improved monitoring and management of asbestos in public buildings, such as schools, hospitals and government buildings, to help reduce the risk of the deadly dust causing even more harm

The profile of mesothelioma victims has in recent years begun to shift with more and more people suffering after so-called domestic or take-home exposure, for example wives washing their husband’s dusty overalls years ago, or from being indirectly exposed to asbestos in schools where refurbishments were carried out.

Adrian Budgen, national head of the asbestos-related disease team at law firm Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“The number of victims of mesothelioma has yet to peak and we have seen that the disease is now affecting those outside of the traditional heavy industries associated with diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

“Recent years have seen a rise in the number of people affected by asbestos who have spent their working lives in public buildings, hospitals, schools and other academic institutions. It is absolutely crucial that more is done to make these buildings safer for employees, which means monitoring asbestos and the eventual removal of the hazardous material, before it becomes dangerous.

“The Palace of Westminster and Buckingham Palace have recently been the subject of asbestos investigations and removal. A full risk register is now needed for public buildings across the country so that the safe removal of the harmful asbestos can be carried out, and a stringent monitoring programme can be put in place.

“Mesothelioma is a very aggressive, and sadly, incurable disease and those who fall victim suffer simply because the appropriate precautions were not taken to keep them safe, they were not warned of the dangers of asbestos or provided with the correct protective equipment.

“We hope that by supporting Action Mesothelioma Day we will help to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and mesothelioma, as well as encouraging employers and the government to take action to protect future generations from further suffering.” Adrian Budgen - Partner

If you or a loved one has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our solicitors can help you to claim compensation. See our Asbestos Claims page for more information.