10 Nov - Joiners 'more likely to be working with asbestos during recession'

Tuesday, 10 Nov 2009

Joiners are more likely to come into contact with asbestos during the recession, according to an industry expert.

Tony Barry, senior instructor at the National Construction College, Birmingham, said that due to the current economic climate it is currently cheaper to refurbish older buildings, which may contain the dangerous material, than build new ones.

He added that trainees who attend the college were being taught about asbestos, where it can be found and its effects, as an "integral part of the course".

Mr Barry was speaking as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced that a conference will be held for trainee tradesmen at the college as part of the group's £1.2 million 'hidden killer' campaign which is running throughout November.

The campaign has been backed by numerous people across the industry, including joiners liability insurance customers, health bodies and people who have been affected by asbestos-related diseases.

Steve Coldrick, HSE asbestos programme editor, said that nearly 4,000 lives are lost every year because of contact with the material, with over a quarter of these being people in building trades.

"It is not just a risk of a bygone age and tradesmen cannot afford to be complacent," he added

Source: ContractorsCompare Nov 09