Budget cuts end HSE asbestos awareness campaign

Asbestos is an ongoing threat in the demolition industry, so we were all glad when the HSE introduced their Hidden Killer campaign in 2008. It even had the backing of former England striker Ian Wright.

But the campaign that has educated so many is being brought to an end according to construction union UCATT. That means no more advertising across newspapers, radio and television, and no more campaign packs, posters, stickers, flyers, or leaflets. There will generally be less information around or at least it won't be as readily available.

UCATT has confirmed that the HSE has no intention of running the campaign again. The union's general secretary Alan Ritchie is very clear on what that means:

"The cancellation of the Hidden Killer campaign will cost the lives of construction workers. This is directly a result of the Government’s cuts. I challenge Iain Duncan Smith, who is ultimately responsible, to look me in the eye and tell me cutting this campaign is justified and will not endanger the lives of workers.

The lack of knowledge about asbestos among many workers is frightening. The government has a duty to ensure that workers know the dangers and are fully protected. They must not play Russian roulette with workers lives."

We would all like to see the campaign return, but the 35% cuts the HSE has to make to its budget by 2015 make that seem unlikely.

Fortunately there are alternatives and training courses can be taken to educate staff. We run asbestos awareness courses on a regular basis, the details of which can be viewed on our training pages. Please get in touch and we can discuss your needs and overcome the hole left by the Hidden Killer campaign.