HSE launches ‘Asbestos and You’ campaign

In March, HSE launched a new campaign, ‘Asbestos and You’, to remind people working in construction trades to manage the risks they face.

Despite it being banned in the building industry since 1999, figures show that 5,000 people a year still die from asbestos-related diseases.

It didn’t disappear when it was banned in the UK, and we know it remains in millions of homes and buildings.

Those carrying out repairs or refurbishment work are at a higher risk of disturbing asbestos, especially when working in houses.

Builders, carpenters, electricians, joiners, plasterers, plumbers and roofers are just some of the trades being urged to take the risks seriously.

The campaign particularly wants to reach those who started their careers from the year 2000, after the use of asbestos was banned, so they know the risk still remains.

Visit the campaign website for more information and how you can support it. You can also:

• Download our new ‘quick guide for trades’
• View our Asbestos essentials guidance
• Sign up for campaign updates by subscribing to the HSE ebulletin

The CIP H&S Manual contains a whole section dedicated to guidance around this issue, as well as in the online manual at www.cip-knowledge.com