It seems that, at long last, the dangers arising from asbestos in the world outside of demolition and construction is being more appreciated.
A recent story on the BBC website followed by coverage on BBC News sites, highlight the cases of two teachers who say they have become victims of mesothelioma, having worked in schools for many years. According to the NUT teaching union that commissioned the report that led to the story, 86% of schools in the UK had buildings that contained asbestos. This could be in ceiling tiles, wall boards, or many of the pieces of equipment used in science laboratories. It’s good then that the problem is being recognised, but what’s been done about it?
Well, in an interesting end to the piece on the BBC, they quote a professor from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who said "Because the levels of asbestos are [often] so low in schools, actually ripping it out could be more dangerous. It's a very nasty problem to get sorted. And for young people, the risk of dying of mesothelioma is more like 1 in 10,000, as there's a disconnect between those being diagnosed now and the exposure to the children of today."
He added that, were it possible, removing all asbestos from the environment would prevent "at most 25 deaths a year so trying to remove it from all schools could actually increase the number of deaths."
So the moral of the story is that we know asbestos is dangerous and in lots of places, but we are best leaving it there for someone else to clear up. And who do you suppose that will be!
Showing posts with label mesothelioma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mesothelioma. Show all posts
June 19, 2015
May 20, 2014
Judge refuses compensation claim on the basis of lack of knowledge of the dangers of asbestos in the 1970's
Today we all know just how dangerous asbestos is as a substance, and how it can take decades to rear its head as a killer. But the lack of knowledge in the 1970s has seen one woman diagnosed with mesothelioma lose her case against a former employer.
Marie McGregor, now 58 and suffering from mesothelioma, was employed by the British Shoe Corporation when she was 15 and worked in Lewis's Department Store, in Ranelagh Street, Liverpool. At the time the store decided to have the escalators replaced. This saw a white dust coat everything in the store, with the work being carried out while staff and shoppers went about their daily duties and browsing. At the time they didn't realize the dangers, and now McGregor is suffering because of that.
She decided to sue BCS when her illness was detected, but the judge in the case could not accept her employer was negligent. If such a case happened today, then the employer would be facing dire consequences, but the judge had to consider what was known in the 1970s and what action was taken to protect workers based on that knowledge. He found that adequate protection was in place, meaning McGregor receives nothing in terms of compensation.
Thankfully the situation is different today, but that doesn't help Marie.
Source: Liverpool Echo
Marie McGregor, now 58 and suffering from mesothelioma, was employed by the British Shoe Corporation when she was 15 and worked in Lewis's Department Store, in Ranelagh Street, Liverpool. At the time the store decided to have the escalators replaced. This saw a white dust coat everything in the store, with the work being carried out while staff and shoppers went about their daily duties and browsing. At the time they didn't realize the dangers, and now McGregor is suffering because of that.
She decided to sue BCS when her illness was detected, but the judge in the case could not accept her employer was negligent. If such a case happened today, then the employer would be facing dire consequences, but the judge had to consider what was known in the 1970s and what action was taken to protect workers based on that knowledge. He found that adequate protection was in place, meaning McGregor receives nothing in terms of compensation.
Thankfully the situation is different today, but that doesn't help Marie.
Source: Liverpool Echo
Labels:
1970s,
asbestos,
BCS,
escalators,
Marie McGregor,
mesothelioma
May 21, 2013
Mesothelioma Bill
Monday 20th May saw MPs vote on the Mesothelioma Bill which is intended to create a last-resort fund for those sufferers unable to obtain compensation because the insurance companies who insured their employers are no longer trading. The Government thinks that Mesothelioma cases will peak in 2015, but the HSE thought that they would peak in 2010 and they were wrong, and many sufferers will be unable to claim compensation. If the Bill is passed it will open up a £355 million compensation fund which the Government hopes will compensate around 3,500 people.
According the The Sun, Welfare minister Lord Freud said: "There has been a terrible injustice that previous governments could not fix".
Our view here at C&D is that UK Governments have since the 1920's failed to address the appaling loss of life to mesothelioma and the lack of training for those most at risk. C&D deliver both the NDTG Asbestos Awareness course as well as our own to demolition companies nationwide, but we rarely deliver the course to those that need it most. HSE statistics show that the trades most at risk are:-
Remember, wearing a mask can save your life as we reminded the industry in this short toolbox talk.
According the The Sun, Welfare minister Lord Freud said: "There has been a terrible injustice that previous governments could not fix".
Our view here at C&D is that UK Governments have since the 1920's failed to address the appaling loss of life to mesothelioma and the lack of training for those most at risk. C&D deliver both the NDTG Asbestos Awareness course as well as our own to demolition companies nationwide, but we rarely deliver the course to those that need it most. HSE statistics show that the trades most at risk are:-
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Gas Fitters
- Painters & Decorators
- Joiners
- Plasterers
Remember, wearing a mask can save your life as we reminded the industry in this short toolbox talk.
Labels:
asbestos,
bill,
government,
mesothelioma,
toolbox talks,
training,
UK
April 5, 2013
Mesothelioma
A word that is difficult to say and even harder to spell but a word that you need to remember. Mesothelioma is a killer and a nasty killer at that.
Imagine steel hands gripping your lungs and squeezing them tighter and tighter until every breath that you take is a supreme effort to just get some air into your lungs and even that small amount is not enough to keep your body functioning, until eventually your lung function reduces more and more and no matter how hard you fight for oxygen you cannot get enough to keep you alive.
A terrible description I admit but one that will hopefully make you realise that if you are diagnosed with Mesothelioma you will not be able to take 2 red pills a day to make you better. Mesothelioma kills people and there is currently no cure so the best way to make sure that it doesn't kill you is to make sure that you don't catch it in the first place. Be aware that asbestos kills, tell your mates that asbestos kills, make sure you are inducted into where asbestos could be found on your job, make sure that you have a correctly face fitted pp3 mask and make sure that you wear it.
Asbestos kills 4000 people a year in the UK, don't become one of that number.
Take a few minutes to watch the mesothelioma film from the HSE below. All the persons in the film have either been diagnosed with the disease or have loved ones affected by the disease.
Imagine steel hands gripping your lungs and squeezing them tighter and tighter until every breath that you take is a supreme effort to just get some air into your lungs and even that small amount is not enough to keep your body functioning, until eventually your lung function reduces more and more and no matter how hard you fight for oxygen you cannot get enough to keep you alive.
A terrible description I admit but one that will hopefully make you realise that if you are diagnosed with Mesothelioma you will not be able to take 2 red pills a day to make you better. Mesothelioma kills people and there is currently no cure so the best way to make sure that it doesn't kill you is to make sure that you don't catch it in the first place. Be aware that asbestos kills, tell your mates that asbestos kills, make sure you are inducted into where asbestos could be found on your job, make sure that you have a correctly face fitted pp3 mask and make sure that you wear it.
Asbestos kills 4000 people a year in the UK, don't become one of that number.
Take a few minutes to watch the mesothelioma film from the HSE below. All the persons in the film have either been diagnosed with the disease or have loved ones affected by the disease.
Labels:
asbestos,
HSE,
lungs,
mesothelioma
March 30, 2012
UK Supreme Court rules on asbestos insurance claims
Thousands of asbestos victims and their families breathed a sigh of relief earlier this week when the UK Supreme Court ruled in their favour regarding insurance claims. A small pocket of insurance companies were arguing claims for compensation were invalid because the symptoms didn't appear until after the insurance coverage had ended.
The problem with asbestos-related illness is it can take decades to show any symptoms. Now the courts have cleared up any confusion regarding liability by stating that the time between cause and symptoms presenting is a "sustained" period of the disease. Therefore, insurers are liable for compensation even if the sustained period is many years.
Judge, Lord Clarke, said:
"The negligent exposure of an employee to asbestos during the [insurance] policy period has a sufficient causal link with subsequently arising mesothelioma to trigger the insurer's obligation."
The insurers fighting the case have generally accepted the ruling as unfavourable, but at the same time appreciate the clarity it brings. Asbestos-related diseases are expected to peak at around 2015, so there will be many more cases to come and insurance payouts to make. At least now there will be fewer arguments over whether the affected are covered or not.
Source: BBC News
The problem with asbestos-related illness is it can take decades to show any symptoms. Now the courts have cleared up any confusion regarding liability by stating that the time between cause and symptoms presenting is a "sustained" period of the disease. Therefore, insurers are liable for compensation even if the sustained period is many years.
Judge, Lord Clarke, said:
"The negligent exposure of an employee to asbestos during the [insurance] policy period has a sufficient causal link with subsequently arising mesothelioma to trigger the insurer's obligation."
The insurers fighting the case have generally accepted the ruling as unfavourable, but at the same time appreciate the clarity it brings. Asbestos-related diseases are expected to peak at around 2015, so there will be many more cases to come and insurance payouts to make. At least now there will be fewer arguments over whether the affected are covered or not.
Source: BBC News
Labels:
asbestos,
insurance,
mesothelioma,
UK Supreme Court
September 2, 2011
Ministry of Defence pays £76,250 to daughter of asbestos victim
The Ministry of Defence has had to pay £76,250 in damages to the daughter of a former employee due to his exposure to asbestos.
The man, Leslie Elwall, worked on board the HMS Ark Royal and HMS Albion as a draughtsman and technical officer where he was exposed to asbestos. Importantly, Leslie was a civilian working aboard the vessels, meaning he did not fall under the immunity like those in the armed forces. That meant a lawsuit could be brought against his employer the MOD.
The lawsuit centered on the fact Leslie developed mesothelioma with the family's lawyer arguing it was because of the asbestos present where he worked. He was on board the ships for weeks at a time with refitting exposing the asbestos in the form of lagging.
Unfortunately, Leslie died two years ago at the age of 85, but his daughter, Irene Morris, decided to demand the compensation for him and has succeeded, although too late for her father to enjoy the victory.
Source: Asbestos News
August 30, 2011
BBC reports asbestos-related deaths at all time high
The male death rate from mesothelioma is at an all time high. Between 1982-84 it was gauged at 14.8 per million. For the period 2006-08 it had increased to a staggering 66.4 per million, and that was just in the east of England. The greatest increase seems to have occurred in the West Midlands.
Just as worrying is the prediction by the HSE that the death toll will continue to rise over the next 5 years. The reason is related to the use of asbestos until 1999 when the final ban came into effect. But that has left many buildings with asbestos installed. Without the correct procedures being implemented during building work or demolition of these buildings, more workers will be put at risk.
Visit the BBC News website to watch their video on the disease and the rise in cases of mesothelioma.
C&D Consultancy carry out asbestos awareness training throughout the UK. If you'd like to know more please contact John Woodward directly and he'll be happy to discuss the options available or help formulate a training course to suit your particular needs.
Just as worrying is the prediction by the HSE that the death toll will continue to rise over the next 5 years. The reason is related to the use of asbestos until 1999 when the final ban came into effect. But that has left many buildings with asbestos installed. Without the correct procedures being implemented during building work or demolition of these buildings, more workers will be put at risk.
Visit the BBC News website to watch their video on the disease and the rise in cases of mesothelioma.
C&D Consultancy carry out asbestos awareness training throughout the UK. If you'd like to know more please contact John Woodward directly and he'll be happy to discuss the options available or help formulate a training course to suit your particular needs.
Labels:
asbestos,
cancer,
mesothelioma
April 6, 2011
Mesothelioma victim gets $25 million payout from Exxon Mobil
A jury in Virginia has awarded 72-year-old Rupert Minton $25 million in compensation after he traced his case of mesothelioma back to his job working at a ship yard and sued Exxon Mobile Corporation.
Minton was a repair supervisor at a ship yard working for Exxon. He worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding site in the supervisor role for 11 years between 1966 and 1977, but worked as a shipfitter before that which also entailed repair work on Exxon oil tankers.
As asbestos was so prevalent in ship yards back then, it was clear he contracted mesothelioma while working there. The payout awarded to him by the jury includes $12 million in compensatory damages, $12.5 million in punitive damages, and $500,000 in medical expenses.
While Minton will be happy at the verdict, he is only thought to have another couple of years left due to the rapid rate at which mesothelioma effects your health.
Source: JusticeNewsFlash.com
Labels:
asbestos,
Exxon Mobil,
mesothelioma,
virginia
November 25, 2010
Guest post: The Importance of Asbestos Removal
This is a guest post by Alison Kahan from Asbestos.com
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in thousands of products throughout the 20th century for its heat and fire-resistant characteristics. The toxic mineral was most commonly used for insulation purposes in residential and commercial buildings, boiler and engine rooms aboard ships and trains, and as a protective covering on pipes and plumbing. Asbestos exposure is known to cause mesothelioma, a rare cancer for which there is no cure.
Knowing where to find and how to spot asbestos products is essential in avoiding this toxic substance. The construction industry found many uses for asbestos as it was added to materials such as floor and ceiling tiles, adhesives, cements, siding, roofing, pipeline wrap and shingles.
Since some asbestos products are readily broken into tiny particles when disturbed, handling this material can lead to asbestos fibers being released into the atmosphere. For this reason, it is best not to handle asbestos materials at all because the risk of exposure is high without professional equipment and protection.
If asbestos is in your home, all testing, remediation and abatement of asbestos should be done by a licensed professional. Spotting asbestos products that are not clearly labeled can be nearly impossible with the human eye, so testing is the only way to know if a product contains asbestos. As a result, it is important to hire a professional to take a sample for testing and perform any necessary remediation.
Exposure to asbestos may occur through inhaling or ingesting microscopic asbestos fibers. Since the body cannot easily dispose of asbestos fibers, they tend to remain in the body and cause irreparable damage. If an individual experiences repeated exposure, the fibers can build up over time, often creating a fibrous scarring of the lungs.
Exposure to this toxic mineral can lead to a range of serious health conditions, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Because there is no cure for mesothelioma, the mesothelioma life expectancy ranges from four to 18 months. Knowing where asbestos exposure can occur and how to protect yourself is essential in preventing asbestos-related disease. If you suspect your home is contaminated with asbestos, you are advised to contact a licensed asbestos abatement contractor for a safe and detailed inspection.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in thousands of products throughout the 20th century for its heat and fire-resistant characteristics. The toxic mineral was most commonly used for insulation purposes in residential and commercial buildings, boiler and engine rooms aboard ships and trains, and as a protective covering on pipes and plumbing. Asbestos exposure is known to cause mesothelioma, a rare cancer for which there is no cure.
Knowing where to find and how to spot asbestos products is essential in avoiding this toxic substance. The construction industry found many uses for asbestos as it was added to materials such as floor and ceiling tiles, adhesives, cements, siding, roofing, pipeline wrap and shingles.
Since some asbestos products are readily broken into tiny particles when disturbed, handling this material can lead to asbestos fibers being released into the atmosphere. For this reason, it is best not to handle asbestos materials at all because the risk of exposure is high without professional equipment and protection.
If asbestos is in your home, all testing, remediation and abatement of asbestos should be done by a licensed professional. Spotting asbestos products that are not clearly labeled can be nearly impossible with the human eye, so testing is the only way to know if a product contains asbestos. As a result, it is important to hire a professional to take a sample for testing and perform any necessary remediation.
Exposure to asbestos may occur through inhaling or ingesting microscopic asbestos fibers. Since the body cannot easily dispose of asbestos fibers, they tend to remain in the body and cause irreparable damage. If an individual experiences repeated exposure, the fibers can build up over time, often creating a fibrous scarring of the lungs.
Exposure to this toxic mineral can lead to a range of serious health conditions, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Because there is no cure for mesothelioma, the mesothelioma life expectancy ranges from four to 18 months. Knowing where asbestos exposure can occur and how to protect yourself is essential in preventing asbestos-related disease. If you suspect your home is contaminated with asbestos, you are advised to contact a licensed asbestos abatement contractor for a safe and detailed inspection.
Labels:
Alison Kahan,
asbestos,
mesothelioma
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