Companies still ignoring asbestos

Thousands of people die every year from asbestos-related diseases but most employers are doing nothing to stem the risks in the workplace, according to new research.

This is despite new legal requirements that mean negligent employers face huge compensation claims.

The Control of Asbestos at Work Act 2002 requires businesses to exercise a duty-of-care, and have plans in place to manage the risk of asbestos on their premises.

Asbestos-related diseases kill 3,000 people a year in the UK alone. This figure is rising and is expected to peak at around 10,000 deaths a year by 2010 (HSE 2002).

UK & Ireland Insurance Services , the commercial insurance broker, revealed that 83% of 500 companies surveyed had no plans in place to deal with the risks associated with asbestos in the workplace.

Martin Nugent at UK & Ireland Insurance Services, said:

"Employers already have a legal duty to prevent exposure to employees to asbestos material on their premises. It is crucial that employers have practical solutions to manage asbestos risk enabling them to comply with legislation, safegaurd employees and protect their business. These figures are alarming. Getting to grips with this issue should be a major priority for many UK businesses. Ignorance is no excuse."

Nugent has produced a quick five-point checklist for company bosses:

1) Find out where, if any, asbestos is located, how much there is, and what condition it is in.
2) Keep an up-to-date record of the above information, this is called an asbestos register.
3) Presume that any materials identified contain asbestos unless strong evidence proves otherwise.
4) Notify all parties likely to be exposed to asbestos-related risk.
5) Prepare, implement and periodically review a plan to manage asbestos in the premises.

You may need to have a qualified person help you audit asbestos processes, survey premises and train staff on how to deal with it.