The Scotsman reported on 8th June 2007 that teaching staff must ensure schools are asbestos free.
At the AGM of the Educational Institute of Scotland,(EIS), the union which represents scottish teachers and lecturers, delegates were told that the danger of asbestos in older schools and educational establishments was one that had to be addressed urgently.
Kenneth Brown, of the East Dunbartonshire Association, said pupils and teachers were potentially being exposed to levels of asbestos fibres that exceeded government guidelines.
He claimed vandalism and poor maintenance means concealed asbestos can suddenly become exposed. He added that teachers had to take it upon themselves to identify the risks.
To read the article in full click on the link below
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=896382007
Thursday, 5 July 2007
HSE has 'neither resources nor strategy' to deal with occupational cancers
Workplace Law reported on 2nd July 2007, that the HSE has neither the resources nor the strategy to deal with the hazards posed by exposure to asbestos which kills at least 12,000 people each year.
Work-related cancers will claim thousands of lives each year for a further working generation as a result of the "shocking complacency" of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) according to a new report called Burying the Evidence: How the UK is prolonging the occupational cancer epidemic.
Written by Professors Andrew Watterson and Rory O’Neill of the University of Stirling’s Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group, Burying the Evidence says the HSE’s action plan – unveiled at a London seminar last week – omits a range of occupational cancers, grossly under-estimates the risks of other cancers, and excludes some of the most high risk groups of workers entirely.
Professor Watterson says that the HSE’s recommendations for action range from complacent to non-existent:
"Its evaluations on cancer causing substances including benzene, cadmium, diesel exhaust and wood dust are error-ridden, inadequate and outdated, whole categories of workers known to be at high risk are ignored, and HSE cannot quantify and continues to neglect the risk to women."
Watterson also warns that breast cancer, the major occupational and environmental cancer risk for women, is entirely off the HSE’s radar:
"The net result of this shocking complacency will be needless exposures and avoidable deaths."
The report puts the cost to the UK of occupational cancer deaths at between £29.5bn and £59bn a year, and notes that preventing just 100 of these deaths a year would more than offset the entire annual HSE budget.
Professor Rory O’Neill says:
"The HSE’s approach will do little or nothing to reduce either the volumes or the numbers of cancer-causing substances used in Britain’s workplaces. This guarantees a new working generation will face a preventable cancer risk. Asbestos still kills thousands every year and the epidemic has yet to peak. We are already seeing evidence of cancers in microelectronic workers, an industry just one working generation old, and it is anybody’s guess how work in the nanotech industry will impact on health."
Only a small proportion of industrial chemicals have been tested thoroughly for chronic health effects, he adds. The report was prepared for the Cancer Prevention Coalition, an alliance of academics, trade unions and environmental and occupational cancer campaigners.
The coalition says the UK government should recognise work-related cancers as a major public health priority.
To read the full article, click on the link below
http://www.workplacelaw.net/display.php?resource_id=8771
Work-related cancers will claim thousands of lives each year for a further working generation as a result of the "shocking complacency" of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) according to a new report called Burying the Evidence: How the UK is prolonging the occupational cancer epidemic.
Written by Professors Andrew Watterson and Rory O’Neill of the University of Stirling’s Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group, Burying the Evidence says the HSE’s action plan – unveiled at a London seminar last week – omits a range of occupational cancers, grossly under-estimates the risks of other cancers, and excludes some of the most high risk groups of workers entirely.
Professor Watterson says that the HSE’s recommendations for action range from complacent to non-existent:
"Its evaluations on cancer causing substances including benzene, cadmium, diesel exhaust and wood dust are error-ridden, inadequate and outdated, whole categories of workers known to be at high risk are ignored, and HSE cannot quantify and continues to neglect the risk to women."
Watterson also warns that breast cancer, the major occupational and environmental cancer risk for women, is entirely off the HSE’s radar:
"The net result of this shocking complacency will be needless exposures and avoidable deaths."
The report puts the cost to the UK of occupational cancer deaths at between £29.5bn and £59bn a year, and notes that preventing just 100 of these deaths a year would more than offset the entire annual HSE budget.
Professor Rory O’Neill says:
"The HSE’s approach will do little or nothing to reduce either the volumes or the numbers of cancer-causing substances used in Britain’s workplaces. This guarantees a new working generation will face a preventable cancer risk. Asbestos still kills thousands every year and the epidemic has yet to peak. We are already seeing evidence of cancers in microelectronic workers, an industry just one working generation old, and it is anybody’s guess how work in the nanotech industry will impact on health."
Only a small proportion of industrial chemicals have been tested thoroughly for chronic health effects, he adds. The report was prepared for the Cancer Prevention Coalition, an alliance of academics, trade unions and environmental and occupational cancer campaigners.
The coalition says the UK government should recognise work-related cancers as a major public health priority.
To read the full article, click on the link below
http://www.workplacelaw.net/display.php?resource_id=8771
The family of a man poisoned by asbestos wins £145,000 payout in High Court ruling
Newburty Today,.co.uk reported on 4th July 2007 that the widow and five-year-old daughter of a plumber who died in agony from asbestos-related cancer today won the right to £145,000 compensation at London's High Court.
Robert Henderson Marshall was 61 when, in April last year, he succumbed to mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the lungs notorious for its incurability, slowness to develop and for the enormous suffering of its victims. Whilst he was still alive, he sued Reading-based builder, Brian Rawling - trading as CF Rawling and Son - for whose firm he worked between 1961 and 1973. And today his widow, Marina Louise Marshall - who took over the claim when her husband died - agreed to a settlement worth £145,000.
Mr Rawling, made no admission of liability, but Kerstin Boyd, for Mrs Marshall, said it appeared he would have to foot the compensation bill himself because of difficulties over insurance.
In her written arguments to the court, Ms Boyd claimed Mr Marshall, formerly of Tilehurst was exposed to asbestos over a 12-year period when he worked for Mr Rawling's building business.
The case had been set for a three-day trial before Judge John Reddihough, with Mr Rawling disputing that Mr Marshall was ever exposed to asbestos while in his firm's employ and claiming it must have been when he left and started his own business. However, shortly before the trial was about to begin, the parties announced they had reached the settlement which was approved by the judge.
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?articleID=4645
Robert Henderson Marshall was 61 when, in April last year, he succumbed to mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the lungs notorious for its incurability, slowness to develop and for the enormous suffering of its victims. Whilst he was still alive, he sued Reading-based builder, Brian Rawling - trading as CF Rawling and Son - for whose firm he worked between 1961 and 1973. And today his widow, Marina Louise Marshall - who took over the claim when her husband died - agreed to a settlement worth £145,000.
Mr Rawling, made no admission of liability, but Kerstin Boyd, for Mrs Marshall, said it appeared he would have to foot the compensation bill himself because of difficulties over insurance.
In her written arguments to the court, Ms Boyd claimed Mr Marshall, formerly of Tilehurst was exposed to asbestos over a 12-year period when he worked for Mr Rawling's building business.
The case had been set for a three-day trial before Judge John Reddihough, with Mr Rawling disputing that Mr Marshall was ever exposed to asbestos while in his firm's employ and claiming it must have been when he left and started his own business. However, shortly before the trial was about to begin, the parties announced they had reached the settlement which was approved by the judge.
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?articleID=4645
Asbestos cladding to be removed from sports hall
The Hayling Islander reported on 3rd July 2007, that asbestos cladding is to be removed from the roof and walls of the Hayling College sports hall and replaced by new asbestos-free insulating panels.
The removal of asbestos will take place during the school summer holidays, although some other work will extend into term time. A planning application for the work was submitted by Hampshire County Council and approved by Havant Borough Council – causing some concern for residents who live near the college.
To read the full story
http://www.haylingtoday.co.uk/news?articleid=2999595
The removal of asbestos will take place during the school summer holidays, although some other work will extend into term time. A planning application for the work was submitted by Hampshire County Council and approved by Havant Borough Council – causing some concern for residents who live near the college.
To read the full story
http://www.haylingtoday.co.uk/news?articleid=2999595
BECTU supports asbestos campaign
On 3rd July 2007, BECTU, the union representing members in the broadcasting, entertainment and theatre industries, announced that it is backing a campaign launched by solicitors Thompsons to achieve justice for English and Welsh families affected by asbestos.
"The law must be changed to ensure families in England and Wales are entitled to the same level of compensation as in Scotland"
Thompsons has highlighted the fact that in England and Wales the level of bereavement compensation is set at £10,000 by law and is only payable to the spouse of the deceased.
But in Scotland bereavement payments of up to £30,000 have been made to widows, while other family members such as siblings and children can also receive up to £15,000 each.
Bereavement awards are payable in the event of death caused by negligence, whether through accident or industrial disease. In England and Wales the fixed statutory award of £10,000 payable to only spouses is set by the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.
To support the campaign Thompsons have launched a petition. which BECTU urges all members to sign.
Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos, causes extreme pain and suffering before death.
Families affected by a death from mesothelioma experience unusually severe grief and an enduring sense of loss. This is often exacerbated by knowing that the suffering and death was caused by the negligence of an employer.
It is predicted that 90,000 people in the UK will die from mesothelioma as a result of previous exposure to asbestos.
BECTU is very active in campaigning for asbestos awareness, because many of its members work in places where asbestos is present. It has set up a register where members can record the locations where they have worked, so that clusters of exposure might be identified in the future.
BECTU General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said "Bereavement compensation for families of those who have died from mesothelioma, many of whom have been our members, should be equal no matter where you were exposed to asbestos in the UK.
"The law must be changed to ensure families in England and Wales are entitled to the same level of compensation for bereavement as a family in Scotland. The current imbalance is unjust and cannot continue."
To read the full story, click on the link below.
http://www.bectu.org.uk/news/gen/ng0292.html
"The law must be changed to ensure families in England and Wales are entitled to the same level of compensation as in Scotland"
Thompsons has highlighted the fact that in England and Wales the level of bereavement compensation is set at £10,000 by law and is only payable to the spouse of the deceased.
But in Scotland bereavement payments of up to £30,000 have been made to widows, while other family members such as siblings and children can also receive up to £15,000 each.
Bereavement awards are payable in the event of death caused by negligence, whether through accident or industrial disease. In England and Wales the fixed statutory award of £10,000 payable to only spouses is set by the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.
To support the campaign Thompsons have launched a petition. which BECTU urges all members to sign.
Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos, causes extreme pain and suffering before death.
Families affected by a death from mesothelioma experience unusually severe grief and an enduring sense of loss. This is often exacerbated by knowing that the suffering and death was caused by the negligence of an employer.
It is predicted that 90,000 people in the UK will die from mesothelioma as a result of previous exposure to asbestos.
BECTU is very active in campaigning for asbestos awareness, because many of its members work in places where asbestos is present. It has set up a register where members can record the locations where they have worked, so that clusters of exposure might be identified in the future.
BECTU General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said "Bereavement compensation for families of those who have died from mesothelioma, many of whom have been our members, should be equal no matter where you were exposed to asbestos in the UK.
"The law must be changed to ensure families in England and Wales are entitled to the same level of compensation for bereavement as a family in Scotland. The current imbalance is unjust and cannot continue."
To read the full story, click on the link below.
http://www.bectu.org.uk/news/gen/ng0292.html
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
New Bill to aid mesothelioma victims
On 21st, June 2007, legal-medicalnews.co.uk reported the Child Maintenance Bill, published this month, confirmed that the government will provide up-front financial support to victims of mesothelioma who were previously not eligible, including those who were exposed to asbestos from a relative, exposed to asbestos environmentally, self-employed and those who can’t trace their exposure to asbestos.
The Bill comes in direct response to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) consultation on Improving Mesothelioma Claims Handling.The consultation raised concern about injustice under the current law, highlighting the fact that only people who contract the disease from exposure to asbestos at work are eligible to claim a lump sum from the state.Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton MP, said: “No-one should have to worry that they or their family will have to wait years before they see a penny of compensation. ”
The Child Maintenance Bill is set to become law in 2008.
To read the full story click on the link below
http://www.legal-medical.co.uk/news/11524.html
The Bill comes in direct response to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) consultation on Improving Mesothelioma Claims Handling.The consultation raised concern about injustice under the current law, highlighting the fact that only people who contract the disease from exposure to asbestos at work are eligible to claim a lump sum from the state.Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton MP, said: “No-one should have to worry that they or their family will have to wait years before they see a penny of compensation. ”
The Child Maintenance Bill is set to become law in 2008.
To read the full story click on the link below
http://www.legal-medical.co.uk/news/11524.html
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