Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Asbestos Related Diseases

Government figures recently released confirmed earlier reports from support groups for the victims of asbestos-related disease of a continuing rise in the national incidence of mesothelioma.

Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) document an ongoing epidemic which, in 2008, led to 2,156 deaths.

The most common occupations recorded on death certificates for male mesothelioma victims were: carpenters and joiners, plumbers, heating and ventilating engineers, and electricians.

Although the HSE is predicting that the annual number of male mesothelioma fatalities will peak at 2,038 by 2016, deaths will continue for several decades to come. Statisticians estimate that 91,000 men will die from mesothelioma by 2050, the majority (67%) of whom will expire after 2007. Amongst the dead, will be around 15,000 former carpenters.

Since the introduction of the Mesothelioma Register in 1967, the annual number of deaths due to mesothelioma has risen fairly constantly:

1968 - 153

1978 - 392

1988 - 872

2008 – 2,156

The Asbestos Regulations require all Duty-Holders to carry out a survey of the premises to ascertain if asbestos is, or could be, present and then put into place a plan for managing the risks.

If you occupy or own premises that are used for business purposes you will be a duty-holder. Premises built prior to 1998 will almost certainly contain some form of asbestos.

Clients who want further advice or help in discharging their responsibilities should contact their consultant.

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