Asbestos Risk Highlighted
Release date: 20/12/2011
Asbestos awareness was top of the agenda at an event held at Dundee College.
More than 70 people, involved either in the construction industry or further education, heard expert advice on the risks associated with carcinogenic material at seminar supported by the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives.
“Research shows that although trades people know that asbestos is harmful to health, they believe that it is a historical problem, and so do not take action to protect themselves,” commented Andy Cathro, health and safety officer at Dundee College.
Talking from personal experience Andy went on to say:
“It is only since being involved with health and safety issues for a number of years that I now realise I unknowingly worked on asbestos materials as a joiner in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
“Providing apprentices and tradesmen with key information means they are better equipped to protect themselves and challenge poor work practices and are therefore less likely to unwittingly become involved with the risks associated with asbestos materials
As well as presentations from health specialists, representatives of the construction industry, the HSE and Healthy Working Lives those present, including lecturers from colleges all over Scotland, enjoyed a screening of the HSE’s interactive learning package designed to raise awareness of the risks they faced when working with asbestos, and provide basic guidance.