Asbestos is still a massive killer within the construction industry. It is estimated that 5000 workers are killed by asbestos each year, more than the amount killed on the roads. Around 20 tradesmen die each week as a result of previous asbestos exposure.
These deaths are a result of asbestos fibres. Asbestos fibres are released into the air when Asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) are disturbed. The fibres are then inhaled causing serious diseases. these diseases do not affect you immediately but over a period of time.
The most common Asbestos related diseases are: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis and Pleural thickening. Each of these asbestos related diseases are incredibly harmful and in lots of cases, fatal.
For more information, please visit the HSE website.