Imagine | Autumn 2023
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Autumn 2023 A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Autumn 2023
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Public
Buildings
The problem with asbestos:
Are school children and teachers still at risk?
Asbestos is the largest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) latest data shows there are more than 5,000 deaths from asbestos-related disease each year.
Experts estimate around 87,000 public buildings still contain asbestos. Almost a quarter of these are schools.
Most people consider asbestos to be a thing of the past. Associated with factories and construction work, the cancer-causing substance was banned in the UK in 1999.
But asbestos is still a risk while it’s present in buildings we visit every day. The ban didn’t cover asbestos materials already in situ and some public buildings have so much it would cost millions to remove it.
For this reason, managing asbestos in public buildings is an ongoing debate and key organisations are lobbying the government to set a 40-year deadline for its removal.
The ongoing risk
We contacted 20 of the highest populated council areas under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to gain a true picture of the ongoing risk.
Our research revealed more than 4,500 public buildings across those local authority areas still contain asbestos.
Over the past 20 years an increasing number of people have developed asbestos-related illnesses from indirect sources, such as family members washing work clothes covered in asbestos dust, or non-industrial exposure.
Just one single exposure to asbestos can lead to deadly asbestos-related diseases. “There is no accepted safe level [of exposure] when it comes to mesothelioma.” says Mesothelioma UK.
Asbestos is generally considered to be safe while it’s in good condition. But it can quickly become dangerous once it’s disturbed or in a state of disrepair. The age of our public buildings and stretched maintenance budgets make it a huge concern.
The legacy of asbestos in public buildings and the subsequent exposures of people working in or passing through these asbestos sites is an ongoing national tragedy.
Liz Darlison, CEO of Mesothelioma UK
Pauline’s story
The school rooms where our client Pauline Harrison worked as an administrator in the late 1980’s, contained asbestos.
Damage and repair works released fibres into the air in the storerooms where she sorted deliveries and put stock away. Pauline also believed that pinning work on the walls disturbed asbestos in the portacabin classrooms.
In August 2019, Pauline was diagnosed with mesothelioma. We supported her to make a claim against the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, which admitted that asbestos had been present in the cabin-like structures Pauline worked in.
Sadly, Pauline died before her case could be resolved and her family continued it through to settlement in her memory.
Pauline’s son Mark Harrison said, “We hope that by sharing our story it will make others aware of the dangers still posed by asbestos and why it needs to be removed as soon as possible.”
Schools are one of the biggest problem areas. “Densely populated with pupils, teachers, and other staff for long hours at a time, it’s extremely worrying that so many contain asbestos – essentially putting children at risk every day.”
Adrian Budgen, Head of National Asbestos-Related Disease Team in Sheffield
Schools are one of the biggest problem areas. “Densely populated with pupils, teachers, and other staff for long hours at a time, it’s extremely worrying that so many contain asbestos – essentially putting children at risk every day.”
Adrian Budgen, Head of National Asbestos-Related Disease Team in Sheffield
Don’t let the dust settle
94% of mesothelioma cases are preventable – Mesothelioma UK
The UK’s leading asbestos-related charity, Mesothelioma UK is calling time on asbestos with their Don’t Let the Dust Settle campaign. They want the government to listen to the Work and Pensions Committee’s recommendations for a central asbestos register and a timeframe for its safe removal. They say high risk settings such as schools and hospitals should be a priority.
“We do not have a cure for mesothelioma, but it’s a preventable cancer for future generations with the removal of asbestos from all of our public buildings” says Liz Darlison.
Mesothelioma UK is the national charity for anyone affected by mesothelioma.
Don’t let the dust settle
94% of mesothelioma cases are preventable – Mesothelioma UK
The UK’s leading asbestos-related charity, Mesothelioma UK is calling time on asbestos with their Don’t Let the Dust Settle campaign. They want the government to listen to the Work and Pensions Committee’s recommendations for a central asbestos register and a timeframe for its safe removal. They say high risk settings such as schools and hospitals should be a priority.
“We do not have a cure for mesothelioma, but it’s a preventable cancer for future generations with the removal of asbestos from all of our public buildings” says Liz Darlison.
Mesothelioma UK is the national charity for anyone affected by mesothelioma.
A call to action
We’re calling for:
- The Government to have a centrally maintained Asbestos Register so we all know which buildings contain asbestos and what condition they’re in.
- The Government to set a timeframe for the planned and safe removal of asbestos from public buildings.
Legal support
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, our solicitors can help. We’re the largest team of asbestos solicitors in the UK.