Construction National

UKATA hopes latest asbestos case raises awareness of family threat

The results of an inquest in Cleethorpes have found that a Lincolnshire woman died as a result of exposure to deadly asbestos fibres whilst washing her husband’s work clothes. Following the findings, the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has issued a chilling reminder that improper handling of the ‘silent killer’ could be more than just a serious threat to your own life. 

Carole Hill, who was 77 and the mother of four, died in June this year from malignant mesothelioma, a disease typically linked with asbestos exposure. The coroner recorded a verdict of death from an industrial disease with the inquest hearing that she came into contact with the substance, unbeknownst to her and her husband, when cleaning his clothes from the time he spent as a joiner during the 60s. 

“This case, which has seen a mother of four die due to asbestos exposure is not one of a kind and many people in this era fell foul to the substance before the health implications were recognised,” explained Craig Evans, General Manager for UKATA. “These cases act as an important, hard hitting reminder of the dangers that asbestos can pose to you and your loved ones.

“We need to raise awareness of the real dangers of asbestos exposure  and let people know that actually it most definitely IS NOT a thing of the past. People may display a sense of bravado when it comes to the threat of asbestos exposure to their own health, but stories like this will hopefully make them rethink how they deal with the substance.”

Many people believe that asbestos is a health hazard consigned to the history books, but UKATA is keen to dispel this myth. With the substance used heavily in construction materials right up to the late 90s as a flame retardant agent, many buildings built prior to this period still contain it.  Anyone who believes they have come into contact with the substance should contact their local GP. 

The toxic material causes a number of health complications; the most publicised of which being mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer for which there is no cure. Those who come into contact often feel no effect until later in life, with the disease striking to a debilitating effect sometimes as long as 30 or 40 years after exposure. 

 “When left undisturbed the substance is harmless, however the danger comes when hazardous  asbestos spores become airborne as the result of any disturbance to the materials,” explained Craig. “With many thinking the threat has disappeared, firms are putting awareness of the dangers of asbestos down the list of priorities when it comes to health and safety training, something that is totally unjustifiable.” 

“We currently have a list of more than 170 UKATA approved members who provide training on the safe identification, handling and disposal of asbestos to contractors across the country. We implore all businesses and households who appoint contractors to check for their UKATA certification to ensure they don’t cause a health or safety threat to your employees or families.”

For more information on UKATA, including information on how to find a certified training provider go to www.ukata.org.uk