HSG264 The Asbestos Surveyors Guide

Posted on July 15, 2010 with 2 Comments

The SHP reported that In January this year, the HSE published new guidance on asbestos surveying, which explicitly advocates the need to be able to demonstrate and ensure competency. Martin Gibson, Martin Stear and Jon Murthy explain how both surveyors and duty-holders can do so.

The HSE estimates that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are still present in some 500,000 commercial properties in the UK. No one really knows how much asbestos still remains in UK buildings but those built before 1999, when asbestos was finally banned, are likely to still contain some, with those pre-dating 1985, when blue and brown asbestos were banned, causing the most concern.

Fit and Active Mechanic died of Mesothelioma

Posted on July 14, 2010 with 1 Comment

A FORMER mechanic, who remembered blowing asbestos fibres from car parts, died after a cancer linked to the deadly Asbestos dust spread through his body.

An inquest heard that evidence of mesothelioma was found in most of Stephen Ward’s vital organs, including a tumour that was wrapped around his heart. The 49-year-old died in April, 10 months after being diagnosed.

Asbestos bears some blame in Derby’s lack of better health

Posted on July 13, 2010 with 1 Comment

ASBESTOS-RELATED illness and deprivation in Derby are being blamed for little improvement in the number of city people dying of cancer. Latest figures show the city has seen barely any change in the death rate from cancer in 10 years, despite a national reduction.

Schools cuts leave asbestos timebomb ticking

Posted on July 9, 2010 with 1 Comment

The Mirrors Asbestos Campaign has reproted this is devoted primary school teacher Gina Lees who was killed by an asbestos-related lung cancer after sticking her pupils’ pictures to asbestos ceiling tiles.

And there may be more like her after the ConDems’ decision this week to axe more than 700 school building and repair projects.

We’ve revealed that 90% of schools still contain the deadly fibres.

And they’ll stay there, slowly decaying as ceiling tiles and notice boards fall apart.

Hundreds pay tributes to the Asbestos victims

Posted on July 6, 2010 with 3 Comments

Hundreds of relatives of tradesmen killed after handling asbestos have gathered in Manchester to mark their deaths. Campaigners Vera Rigby and Lauren Ross released six white doves to remember lost loved ones.

Other families clutched pictures of husbands and brothers who all fell victim to mesothelioma – a cancer caused by the building material. A total of more than 200 people were joined by three MPs in the commemoration, outside the town hall on Friday.