Asbestos News

A building contractor in the UK was recently fined for allowing workers to come in contact with asbestos.

The Health and Safety Executive, Britain's workplace safety organization, said J. C. Irvine Limited proceeded with work at the Ace Electrics building without having a proper asbestos survey completed.

Authorities were told that for a period of about two weeks asbestos was disturbed during work at the structure.

The disturbance of asbestos is always dangerous but even more so when those in the area are not aware of its presence. The inhalation of the naturally occurring mineral fibers can cause a number of serious illnesses such as malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

HSE inspector Hayley Healey said at the hearing that construction workers are often put in positions where they could be exposed to asbestos.

"Construction and maintenance workers are in the most at-risk groups from asbestos-related diseases due to the nature of their work," the inspector said. "The widespread occurrence of asbestos as a product in buildings constructed or refurbished prior to 2000, means that inadvertent disturbance of asbestos-containing materials can be frequent and regular where asbestos products have not been adequately identified or managed.