New warning over asbestos disease (From The Bolton News)

New warning over asbestos disease

2:30pm Monday 2nd November 2009

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BOLTON has the second highest death-rate due to asbestos-related disease in Greater Manchester, new figures show.

Between 1981 and 2005, 114 men in the borough died from mesothelioma — a cancer caused by breathing in the deadly asbestos fibres. Manchester had the highest, with 128.

The figures were released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to coincide with a new £1.2million Asbestos: Hidden Killer campaign launched today to warn workers of the dangers of asbestos.

A total 917 people died from the disease throughout the 10 Greater Manchester authorities.

Across Britain, around 20 tradesmen die from asbestos diseases every week and the numbers are increasing. Workers most at risk of exposure to asbestos are those most likely to disturb or damage it such as plumbers, joiners and electricians.

The campaign aims to aims to raise awareness of the risks posed by asbestos and how workers can protect themselves.

Mike Cross, HSE’s North West Head of Construction, said: “Asbestos is Britain’s biggest industrial killer and remains a very real threat to Greater Manchester workers.

“Contrary to what many people believe, the risks are not a thing of the past. Asbestos-related illnesses claim the lives of 4,000 people every year — more than die in road accidents.

For more information, visit www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller.

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