The TUC, a union body, has supported calls for the creation of a national database that maps the presence asbestos in building.
Asbestos Information CIC, a campaign group, has analyzed more than seven millions pieces of data from more than 381,000 asbestos surveys in order to paint a picture about the prevalence and danger of the material.
25 % of the 2,5 million asbestos products examined were in the category with the highest risk.
This data has been turned into an interactive that shows the prevalence of mesothelioma and asbestos, cancers caused by inhaling fibres of the material.
Asbestos Information CIC called on the use of survey data in order to create a safety certification for the material. This would be similar to the energy efficiency certificates that are displayed on appliances like fridges.
The report also calls for the centralisation of all data in a national registry, which will allow the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to identify buildings that pose the greatest health risk and inspectors to evaluate and prioritise asbestos removal.
The TUC has put its weight behind this, claiming that it will create a system where asbestos can safely be managed and eventually removed from all buildings.
TUC: The TUC points out that the current legal framework allows asbestos to be managed in place rather than removed.
This approach is widely acknowledged as inadequate, since the number of cancers that cause death are at an all-time low.
The TUC also calls for a new duty under the law to remove asbestos safely, and a timetable of 40 years for its removal.
The report highlights comments made by Stephen Timms, the work and pensions Minister, last year . He said in a charity report for Mesolthelioma UK that: “Removing the asbestos from schools, hospitals and other public buildings over a 10 year period would benefit the UK’s economy to the tune around 11,6 billion pounds and the Exchequer around 3.6 billion pounds over 50 years.”
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said that everyone should be safe at work. Asbestos is still found in many workplaces, including schools and hospitals. There are many workers who are unaware of its presence and the dangers it poses.
“Britain has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related deaths in the entire world.” This national scandal must end. The proposed tool will help us identify those at risk of asbestos exposure and be a major step in the removal of asbestos from public buildings.
“And we would be able to identify buildings that have asbestos and require environmental upgrades, ensuring removal at the same. Nowak said that the only way to safeguard today’s workers as well as future generations is by safely removing asbestos from all workplaces.
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