Tradesmen in York still taking risks with asbestos (From York Press)

Tradesmen in York still taking risks with asbestos

9:26am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A NEW plea has been made by the British Safety Council to York business bosses to ensure their workers are fully trained on the dangers of working with asbestos.

The warning comes as asbestos remains the single biggest cause of work-related death in the city “yet tradesmen continue to put themselves at risk”, according to the council.

Its figures show 121 men and women in York have died from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by breathing in dangerous asbestos fibres, between 1981 and 2005.

Julie Nerney, British Safety Council’s chief executive, said: “Any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 could contain asbestos.Those working in construction and other sectors continue to be at risk by coming into contact with asbestos often without their knowledge.”

The council is running a half-day asbestos awareness course for workers who could potentially disturb asbestos at work or who may influence how asbestos work is carried out.

For details about the course, phone 0208 7411231.