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New asbestos duty to manage is introduced
A new British duty to manage has come into force, requiring anyone responsible for the maintenance of commercial, industrial or public properties to check for asbestos and properly manage the risk.
Around 3,500 people died every year as a result of past asbestos exposure, before it was banned. Most are building and maintenance workers, who die from either mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining) or lung cancer.
It is estimated that around half a million buildings across Britain still contain asbestos. The substance becomes dangerous when disturbed. The Health and Safety Executive estimates that effective compliance with the new duty to manage will save around 5,000 lives.
Jane Kennedy, minister of state for Work, said: “It must surely make good business sense to find out whether your premises contain asbestos and then make certain that building and maintenance workers are warned in advance.”
Chair of the Health and Safety commission, Bill Callaghan, said: “Asbestos is not yesterday’s problem. We must now meet the challenge of managing the risk from asbestos, if we are to prevent another generation of workers suffering an early death at its hand.” Details: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos
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