New generation of tradesmen 'at risk from asbestos'

A new generation of tradesmen is at risk from asbestos, Britain's biggest workplace killer, safety campaigners warned today.

More than 35,000 Britons died from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma between 1977 and 2007, and the annual rate of deaths is increasing.

Around a quarter of the 4,000 people in the UK who die from diseases connected to asbestos each year are tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians and decorators, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The HSE launched a new month-long campaign today to warn Britain's 1.8 million tradesmen about the dangers they face.

Research shows that tradesmen in particular think asbestos is a historical problem and they are not at risk.

In fact the deadly substance may be present in any building constructed or refurbished before 2000.

Steve Coldrick, the HSE's asbestos programme director, said: "Sadly there is nothing we can do to stem the tragic loss of workers who were exposed to asbestos in years gone by.

"But we can listen to their stories, and the one thing we hear time and again from older workers is that they were never told about the risks of working with asbestos.

"With this campaign we can educate today's workforce about the risks and what action they need to take to protect themselves from this deadly dust.

"If tradesmen are not sure whether there is asbestos present where they are working they should stop and check. We cannot allow this hidden killer to claim another generation of tradesmen."

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber added: "Asbestos cannot be written off as a 20th-century problem, a legacy from our industrial past.

"We owe it to the memory of those whose lives have been cut short to get the message through to today's workers."