HSE reports 4312 deaths from asbestos-related diseases
That is correct, the HSE reported that in 2007 (the most recent year with published statistics) there were around 4312 deaths from asbestos related diseases. Do you work in construction? Are you wearing the right PPE when handling asbestos? or do you think health and safety is stefanie schork not worth the time? If you don’t wear PPE and think your health and safety isn’t important, then it’s time you woke up and educated yourself on the risks associated with handling asbestos and the effects it can have this may have on your later life. It’s no joke, asbestos really is a hidden killer and it will get you when you don’t expect it.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is commonly known as the hidden killer because it cannot be seen and does not usually cause symptoms for many years after exposure. Asbestos is almost always fatal.
Asbestos is a term used for a wide range of naturally occurring minerals that crystallize into long, thin fibers and bundles of fibers. Asbestos fibers have high tensile, chemical, electrical and heat resistance. Because of this, asbestos was used in almost all UK buildings built before the year 2000 and it has been, and still is, used in many other countries around the world.
Asbestos is a hazardous material and can pose major health risks if the fibers are disturbed, released into the air and then inhaled.
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Asbestos became a popular product for builders and fabricators in the early 1900’s. In the past, builders and manufacturers liked to use asbestos because of its great durability. Asbestos is fire retardant and has been widely used for insulation.
It is estimated that 3,000 different types of products contain asbestos. Uses of asbestos range from paper products, brake pads and floor tiles.
Who is at risk of being exposed?
When left intact and undisturbed, asbestos does not pose a health risk. Asbestos only poses a health risk if it is handled and the person handling it is not wearing a face mask and protective clothing.
Many cases of these diseases occurring today are the result of exposure in industries that used asbestos in the past. Most of these new cases affect people who work in the construction and maintenance trades.
Among the people most commonly affected by asbestos-related diseases are carpenters, plumbers, electricians, laborers, sheet metal workers, pipe fitters, construction workers, site managers and power plant workers.
What diseases are caused by asbestos?
- Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a cancer exclusively related to asbestos. It is almost always fatal for those affected. People diagnosed with mesothelioma usually die within 1 or 2 years of diagnosis. It has a long tendency period and it usually doesn’t start to affect the body or cause symptoms for 30-40 years.
- Lung Cancer – Asbestos-related lung cancer usually takes at least 20 years to affect the body. Asbestos-related lung cancer affects the tubes that carry air out of the lungs. The tumor grows through the surrounding tissue, invading and often blocking the airway.
- Asbestosis – Asbestosis is scarring of the lung tissue that has a latent period of 15-30 years.
- Diffuse pleural thickening – This is a noncancerous condition that causes the lining of the lungs to become scarred. It usually takes 10 years after exposure to affect the body
What can be done to prevent asbestos-related disease and what can be done to raise awareness?
- Avoid working with asbestos; If you work with asbestos, make sure you get the right safety equipment that meets safety standards.
- Get protective clothing and work clothes and leave the protective clothing at work when you leave the site.
- wear face masks
- Do not smoke
- Take plenty of vitamins to boost your immune system
- Remove asbestos from your home
- Find out about asbestos and pass this knowledge on to others
- If you work with asbestos, get some books and posters. If you don’t already have one in your workplace, they will remind you and others of asbestos risks and what you should do to prevent asbestos-related disease.
If you need some safety items to protect you, your friends or your loved ones from asbestos, why not try Safety Savers? Safety Savers offer a wide range of Safety stefanie schork Equipment and PPE across the UK. They also export their security products all over the world.
Safety Savers offer a friendly, reliable service and only supply safety products that meet UK safety standards. Safety Savers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call Safety Savers anytime on: 0845-527-7868 or visit safetysavers.co.uk. Safety Savers offers over 2000 safety related products that can be purchased online or over the phone.