British asbestos campaigners have launched a national survey exploring general awareness and understanding of asbestos in buildings, and the regulations designed to protect UK workers from exposure to it.
The “Great British Asbestos in Buildings Survey 2011” survey, which can be taken online at: www.asbestosinspectionbodies.co.uk , has been developed in conjunction with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), which currently accredits over 100 asbestos inspection bodies to undertake asbestos surveys. It is to be promoted across all sectors via trade associations, trade unions, membership organisations, and industry institutions. The HSE says asbestos is responsible for an estimated 4,000 deaths annually. The survey results are expected to give an insight into awareness of the Duty to Manage Asbestos, set out in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, and to highlight areas for raising awareness of the risks of asbestos in the workplace. John Richards, MD of analytical and surveying firm, Thames Laboratories, said: “With recent public sector funding cuts, and the Government’s review of health and safety, we are concerned that this important subject may be being overlooked. I have certainly seen a number of hospitals with substantive asbestos issues. As in other sectors, knowledge is patchy.”
