Mesothelioma Awareness Day – Raising Awareness, Preventing Exposure
Last week’s Mesothelioma Awareness Day (26th September) provided an important opportunity to highlight the ongoing dangers of asbestos. Despite being banned in the UK more than 25 years ago, asbestos remains present in many buildings and continues to pose a risk to those who may come into contact with it.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, often developing decades after contact. That’s why raising awareness, managing asbestos correctly, and taking a proactive approach to safety remain just as important today as ever.
Asbestos remains the UK’s biggest workplace killer, claiming thousands of lives every year. The danger lies in the fibres released when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, often during routine maintenance, repair, or refurbishment work.
These fibres cannot be seen, smelled, or felt, but inhaling them can lead to life-changing diseases many years later. The message is simple: always check before you start work, understand the asbestos risks in the building, and never disturb a material unless you know it is safe to do so.
At BSA, we’re proud to support the HSE’s Asbestos and You campaign and its Work Right initiative, which encourages those responsible for buildings, maintenance, and construction work to understand the risks of asbestos and take the right steps to protect workers and occupants.
By knowing where asbestos is located, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring suitable controls are in place, we can all play a part in preventing exposure and protecting future generations.
Protecting Workers
Protecting workers from asbestos starts long before any work begins. Duty holders should ensure they have:
- A current asbestos survey
- An up-to-date asbestos register
- A clear asbestos management plan in place
- Suitable arrangements for communicating asbestos-related information to anyone who may be affected
- Asbestos awareness training, including annual refresher training for employees whose work could disturb asbestos-containing materials
Anyone who could potentially disturb building materials, from maintenance staff to external contractors, should be made aware of any asbestos risks before starting work. Taking these simple but vital steps helps prevent accidental exposure and supports the HSE’s message to Work Right and stay safe around asbestos.
Why Early PD/CDM Engagement Matters
Engaging a Principal Designer (CDM) early in a project helps ensure key risks, including asbestos, are identified and addressed from the outset. Early planning can help prevent unexpected issues, reduce delays, and support safer decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.