College lecturers across Britain are being invited to download a free training package to help raise awareness of asbestos among young apprentices.
The new ‘Introduction to Asbestos’ learning package is aimed at young tradespeople who may come into contact with the substance while carrying out their work.€ﾨ€ﾨTeaching materials include a video interview with Christopher Morgan, who died from mesothelioma in March 2010. The 58-year-old pipe fitter was exposed to asbestos fibres while repairing heating systems decades earlier. In the video, he urges young apprentices to take the threat of asbestos seriously.
Asbestos can be found in many buildings built or refurbished before 2000, but it only becomes dangerous when it is broken up and fibres are released into the air. However, the HSE has found that, although tradespeople know asbestos is harmful to health, they believe it is an historical problem that is no longer relevant to them.
HSE board member David Gartside said: “Many young tradespeople believe that, because asbestos is no longer used in buildings, it’s no longer a threat to them. But that simply isn’t true. The material was widely used for fireproofing and insulation up until ten years ago, so there’s every chance they could come into contact with it.”€ﾨ
His words have real resonance with Jean Doyle, who is backing the HSE campaign. She lost her husband to mesothelioma in 2006, after he was exposed to asbestos fibres while using the material to make properties fire-resistant (both pictured).
She said: “Dave’s death has had a devastating impact on our family. Young people need to realise the real cost asbestos can have on their lives. Both our sons and grandson have followed Dave into the building trade, so I’ve made sure they’re aware of the dangers. Trainee apprentices need to know they’re not immortal.€ﾨ€ﾨ“I hope this new scheme will give them the confidence to say ‘no’ when they’re out at work, if they’re asked to work with asbestos. It may just look like dust but it’s deadly.”€ﾨ
The training package is available to download for free at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/learning-package/index.htm
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