Latest asbestos industry news

Footballer Ian Wright heads new trade asbestos awareness campaign

England football legend Ian Wright is the face of a new campaign aimed at warning tradesman about the dangers of asbestos.

Shocking figures released by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that 20 tradesman die each week from asbestos-related diseases.

That number is likely to increase in the future.

Ian Wright was a plasterer before becoming a professional footballer. It’s hoped his presence will attract more publicity and raise awareness of the issue.

4,000 people a year die from exposure to asbestos; a quarter of them tradesmen.

Asbestos was widely used as an insulating and fire proofing material in buildings constructed from the 1870s to 1980s.

When disturbed during building or demolition work, asbestos fibres can be released. Breathing in fibres can lead to asbestos-related diseases, mostly cancers of the lungs and chest lining.

It’s estimated a million tonnes are still in British buildings.

But many workers wrongly believe they are not personally at risk as the substance was banned years ago.

Kershaw Contracting Services can undertake all asbestos surveys.