Construction Workers

Asbestos is an excellent insulator, prevents corrosion and has effective fire protection properties. These qualities meant that asbestos construction materials were used every day in the post Second World War building and construction industry boom from the 1950s onwards. White asbestos, chrysotile, was the final type of asbestos banned, in 1999. Chrysotile’s main use was as the primary component of asbestos cement. Some properties built before the year 2000 still contain asbestos in the fabric of the buildings.

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Construction Worker Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos use in construction work also spread to vinyl floor tiles, AIB, coatings, and roof felt. Asbestos wool was used as loose insulation in cavity walls and pipes were lagged with asbestos. The construction industry employs tradesmen with a broad array of skills – plumbers, electricians, bricklayers, carpenters, roofers, laggers and labourers and all encountered asbestos in some form during their work on construction sites and were therefore at risk of exposure to asbestos and at fairly high levels, too. In turn, construction workers were at risk of developing mesothelioma or one of the other main types of asbestos disease.

Labourers who mixed asbestos cement and asbestos-based lagging paste mixed on-site often suffered asbestos exposure on a massive scale. Likewise, those assigned to clear up after the tradespeople had finished for the day found themselves sweeping up asbestos dust which billowed into the air to form airborne asbestos-filled clouds. Rarely were they, or any of their colleagues, provided with even the most basic form of breathing protection.

Some asbestos materials are still present in older properties in the UK. Asbestos is considered to be safe if it is not disturbed. Therefore, government policy is that if asbestos is present in a building, as long as the casing around it is not damaged or getting worn, it is better left intact. A large-scale national programme to remove asbestos would be costly and moving asbestos even in controlled circumstances will always carry a risk of asbestos exposure.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 applies to non-domestic premises only. This Act of Parliament provides a structure for the management of asbestos remaining in non-domestic premises and during work to remove asbestos.

On the other hand, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and other groups, argue that asbestos needs to be eradicated for good and that the Government needs to provide legislation with a timeframe requiring employers to remove asbestos completely from all their buildings.

Asbestos Solicitors UK

If you, or a family member, worked in construction and have been diagnosed with asbestos illness or you are now suffering from breathing difficulties or other unexplained symptoms, our asbestos experts will be only too pleased to talk with you, free of charge, to see whether they can assist you.

The personal injury specialists at Bridge McFarland LLP offer a free, confidential and no obligation initial chat with one of our expert asbestos lawyers. You can email the team at enquiries@bmcf.co.uk and they’ll get back to you at your convenience.

Asbestos Awareness is dedicated to informing, educating, and supporting people in relation to asbestos-related diseases.

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