2023 News Archive
What was in the news in 2023
November 2023
BBC
Article
Rose Hall an ex-pupil of a school in Leeds was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2019 after breathing in asbestos fibres. She is supporting calls from unions for asbestos to be removed within 40 years.
Leeds woman with incurable cancer calls for action to remove asbestos
YorkshireLive
A Freedom of Information request from the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has revealed how many people were diagnosed in the area between 2019 and 2023 with mesothelioma.
150 people across Yorkshire diagnosed with same type of incurable 'legacy' cancer
BBC
Catch the re-run of BBC health show, Dr Xand's Con or Cure, presented by Dr Xander Van Tulleken. The show looks at the impact of asbestos and includes interviews with people in their 30s and 40s who are living with mesothelioma.
October 2023
National Education Union
Article
We asked Asbestos Limited’s MD, Debbie Hales to comment on news that a coalition of Trade Unions is calling for the removal of asbestos from all public buildings within the next 40 years.
September 2023
BBC
Article
Surrey County Council '...said the asbestos was safe if it was not disturbed but "would need to be removed by specialist contractors as part of any future plans".'
Surrey Heath Borough Council could move into asbestos lined former shop
Daily Mail
In this article on the Daily Mail's website, it's clear that cosmetics 'company executives knew about asbestos in talc decades ago'.
Despite today's strict UK's laws about the ingredients in cosmetics, it's too late for Hannah Fletcher who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Andrew Paten on LinkedIn
The Private Members 10 Minutes Bill was approved in the House of Commons by Andrew Percy MP - Asbestos (National Register) Bill
"Bill to provide for a national register of asbestos present in non-domestic premises and of the condition of that asbestos; and for connected purposes."
The Guardian
As this article in the Guardian states we could now see a 're-emergence of a long unresolved issue.'
How asbestos could slow progress to fix crumbling concrete in English schools
August 2023
SHP Online
Article
Interesting article from SOCOTEC UK, the UK’s leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services who details on SHP Online how many duty holders are seeking to utilise advances in technology to help reduce asbestos exposure even further than current regulatory limits require.
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Recently reported on the The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health’s website is news from the Health and Safety Executive which states that the number of people developing asbestos-related illness is predicted to fall - due to the UK moving further from the asbestos ban in 1999.
However, trade unions are rejecting the government’s view that asbestos is safe to leave in place, so long as it is not disturbed. They are calling for the removal of asbestos from all public buildings.
Asbestos-related cancer deaths fall but ‘time bomb’ threatens
July 2023
Mirror
Article
Highlighting the potential risk of asbestos if disturbed, this article reports on the BBC’s Lime Grove studio which was demolished in 1993. The BBC paid out to 11 families of make-up artists, engineers, riggers, set builders, studio managers and producers who worked at various locations but all died from mesothelioma.
Esther Rantzen fears asbestos at BBC buildings could have caused her lung cancer
Asbestos and You campaign
In July 2023, we highlighted this webinar which was an overview of the Health and Safety Executive's Asbestos and You campaign and discussed the risks that continue to be associated with asbestos for tradespeople and how to avoid exposure.
Fast forward to 34:24 where Nathanael Challacombe of the IOSH Construction Group is asked whether a survey should be part of an asbestos management plan.
June 2023
BBC
Article
The BBC website reports that an estimated 700,000 children are being taught in unsafe or ageing school buildings in England.
Schools requiring major repair are those at risk from sewage leaks and asbestos. A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) refers to the increased safety risk from asbestos in poorly-maintained buildings.
Estimated 700,000 pupils in unsafe or ageing schools in England, says watchdog
Health & Safety Executive
Don't put yourself at risk of asbestos exposure.
As the Health and Safety Executive quite rightly points out, it can take 20-30 years for symptoms to show up.
SHP Online
Not only did this individual dupe people into believing he was registered to remove asbestos but he also stored it in hired storage containers – 200 metres from a school and close to a Girl Guide centre.
Unbelievable.
Harmful asbestos stored near school and girl guide centre by conman ordered to pay more than £80,000
BBC
Yorkshire MP Alice Mahon sadly died last year from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure and her son is now calling for asbestos to be removed from all buildings.
Alice Mahon: Ex-MP's death must prompt asbestos action, says son
May 2023
BBC via Mavis Nye Foundation
Article
"Birmingham City Council has failed thousands of tenants and it needs to act now to put things right."
Words from Kate Dodsworth, director of consumer regulation at Regulator of Social Housing who conducted the review.
Of the 6 key findings, one includes: 17,000 overdue asbestos surveys.
Sky News
This is old news but clearly something needs to be done urgently after this latest news item published today:
Construction Enquirer
As reported in Construction Enquirer - starting in May, Health and Safety Executive inspectors will be tackling the threat of dust on construction sites with inspections specifically focusing on dust control, checking employers and workers know the risks, are planning their work and, using the right controls.
Asbestos and You
The Health and Safety Executive’s Asbestos and You campaign urges tradespeople working in construction to be aware of disturbing asbestos, especially when renovating and refurbishing properties built before the year 2000.
April 2023
Asbestos.com
Article
Here's an enlightening blog on the Asbestos.com website (but please note that this is a US-based resource and not UK) covering natural disasters and a consideration of the presence of asbestos. Given what Turkey, Syria and now New Zealand is having to contend with - it certainly makes you think.
We point you to the first part - up to 'Asbestos exposure prevention after a disaster' - specifically protection for first responders.
BBC
Read of this school's closure after asbestos was found during building work. It really does pay to have a pre-refurb/demo (RD) asbestos survey carried out prior to any work being undertaken.
Asbestos find closes King Edmund School in Rochford until new year
March 2023
HSE
Article
Absolutely appalling that the company, Asbestos Boss Limited advertised itself as a licensed asbestos removal company, removing licensable material from domestic properties throughout the UK.
Anybody at the premises where they were working, as well as the team working for the company were at serious risk of exposure to asbestos.
Company and its director prosecuted for unsafe removal of asbestos across Great Britain
Construction Enquirer
Article in Construction Enquirer reports on 10 construction firms who have been fined a total of nearly £60m by the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) for illegally colluding to rig bids for demolition and asbestos removal contracts...
February 2023
Asbestos.com
Article
Here's an enlightening blog on the Asbestos.com website (but please note that this is a US-based resource and not UK) covering natural disasters and a consideration of the presence of asbestos. Given what Turkey, Syria and now New Zealand is having to contend with - it certainly makes you think.
We point you to the first part - up to 'Asbestos exposure prevention after a disaster' - specifically protection for first responders.
BBC
Read of this school's closure after asbestos was found during building work. It really does pay to have a pre-refurb/demo (RD) asbestos survey carried out prior to any work being undertaken.
Asbestos find closes King Edmund School in Rochford until new year
January 2023
Palatinate
Article
Freedom of Information data from Durham University revealed 214 of the incidents of asbestos were given a material score of 10 or above - the HSE marks the material score of asbestos out of 12.
Between 10 and 12 is considered “as having a high potential to release fibres and therefore hazardous”.
Over 1,264 incidents of asbestos found in college accommodation buildings
