Businesses flock to seminar on asbestos

Representatives from businesses across the West Midlands flocked to a seminar on asbestos which was jointly run by Herefordshire Council and the Health and Safety Executive.

The conference "Duty to Manage Asbestos: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006" was held at Hedley Lodge and opened by Paul Nicholas, Herefordshire Council's acting head of environmental health and trading standards who said he was delighted by the number attending which showed there was a great interest in the subject.

Julie Goddard from Worcestershire Scientific Services opened the event with a presentation highlighting the dangers of asbestos. She also showed graphic slides showing three asbestos-related diseases which claim 4,000 lives each year.

She said an estimated 85 per cent of buildings have significant quantities of asbestos present because the substance was not totally banned from use until 1999.

Asbestos can be found in some 3,000 products including artex, insulation board, asbestos cement, floor tiles and loose loft insulation.

Jan Willets from the HSE Midlands said their campaign "Asbestos - the hidden killer" aims to raise awareness among tradespeople about the dangers of asbestos.

Under the new regulations, people with commercial premises must know where asbestos is or might be in their premises and have a plan to manage what's there.

Simon Freeman of Gabbs Solicitors advised everyone to get an asbestos survey as part of the acquisition process for any commercial properties.

Garry Stokes from Sutton Surveys, a firm which carries out asbestos surveys, said a professional survey can provide certainty to owners of buildings and he also said it was important all staff were trained in dealing with asbestos.

Sarah Taylor from Marstons Inns and Taverns told those attending how this chain of pubs and inns manages the asbestos in their premises.

Paul Nicholas, Herefordshire Council's acting head of environmental health and trading standards, said: "Anyone planning improvements to their business or home on properties built before 2000 should be aware that there could be asbestos there.

"Tradespeople should be aware of the risks and, on business premises, an asbestos survey and management plan should be at the property for their inspection before they start work.

"People doing work themselves on their own homes should also be aware of the risks of asbestos," he added.