Concerning data finds that 30 per cent of high risk workers are unaware of asbestos dangers

Law firm Slater and Gordon commissioned this research to help raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos , with those working in industries such as construction, engineering, power generation and demolition at particular risk.

The research also found that 20 per cent of workers in agriculture, alongside 10 per cent of those in construction, were not aware of its dangers, despite the especially high risk of exposure that workers routinely face working in these industries.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals, commonly found in a variety of building materials. Exposure to asbestos does in many cases tragically prove to be fatal and can lead to the development of several conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural thickening and asbestosis.

The shocking findings coming out of the study commissioned by this leading asbestos claims law firm highlight that more must be done in connection with the protection of high-risk workers especially but also all workers employed in buildings where asbestos is present.

For those aware of the health implications associated with asbestos, 60 per cent were aware of the risk of lung disease and asbestosis, but there was a very low level of awareness of conditions such as pleural thickening (28 per cent) and the incurable cancer, mesothelioma (21 per cent). These percentages are of particular significance as the medical literature is clear that mesothelioma and pleural thickening can develop as a result of exposure to low levels of asbestos dust.

The most informed workers were those in the public sector and education, with an average of 87 per cent possessing a level of awareness of the dangers posed by asbestos. Awareness in education is especially important as 75 per cent of UK schools are estimated to still contain asbestos.

The data also revealed that whilst an average of 43 per cent of some groups of at risk workers thought that asbestos could be found in industrial buildings, ceilings or floor cavities, it was less known that asbestos will often be present in similar risk areas such as walls, textured coatings and floor tiles.

These data-driven insights highlight a clear knowledge and awareness deficit in high risk workers. The law firm urges further education and training on asbestos exposure for all workers who are at risk and in particular within industries where the risk is especially high.

Jordan Bell, Principal Lawyer and head of Slater and Gordon’s specialist asbestos claims team, said: “Asbestos exposure continues to be a serious matter that cannot but too often is ignored. The consequences of being exposed to asbestos can be deadly and on a daily basis we see the devastating impact this has on individuals and families who are forced to live with the effects of asbestos exposure.

“Despite asbestos no longer being used as a construction material in new buildings, we are not seeing a reduction in the number of claims for asbestos-related conditions. This is in part due to the extended latency period of asbestos-related illnesses, but we also cannot ignore the fact exposure continues to be an issue due to asbestos still being present in so many buildings.

“To ensure that protection of workers at risk of being exposed to asbestos, employers must ensure that all asbestos is correctly identified and ideally then removed, or at the very least that workers must receive adequate training to ensure an understanding of the dangers of asbestos and how to prevent exposure to asbestos dust. We urge employers to act now and address both asbestos management and worker training needs as a matter of priority.”