The Croydon Guardian 14th September, reported that Crystal Palace Park's National Sports Centre has been closed after asbestos was discovered there.
According to the London Development Agency (LDA), which manage the centre, the potentially cancer causing material was discovered during a planned asbestos investigation ahead of refurbishment due in November.
The investigation discovered asbestos in a number of areas and the centre has been closed for further studies as a precaution.
Air samples taken to date in the centre have shown no dangerous levels of asbestos.
Dr David Hancock, LDA director of risk said: "We are closing the centre as a precautionary measure as we do not want to expose the public or anybody to unnecessary risk."
The planned refurbishment of the centre's mechanical and electrical systems will still go ahead in November and the centre should be fully open to the public in June 2008.
http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1690393.mostviewed.asbestos_found_at_crystal_palace_parks_sports_centre.php
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Russia protests as global forum urges asbestos ban
On September 12th 2007 Yahoo news reported that Russia, the world's leading producer of asbestos, protested on Wednesday as an international forum in Moscow urged a global ban on the use of the material because of health risks.
"It's just a PR campaign when they say that asbestos can kill," said Viktor Ivanov, head of the Chrysotile Association, an industry group based in the Russian town of Asbestos in the Ural mountains region.
Russia is the world's largest supplier of asbestos
To read the full account follow the link below:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070912/thl-russia-issa-social-6fa00d8_1.html
"It's just a PR campaign when they say that asbestos can kill," said Viktor Ivanov, head of the Chrysotile Association, an industry group based in the Russian town of Asbestos in the Ural mountains region.
Russia is the world's largest supplier of asbestos
To read the full account follow the link below:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070912/thl-russia-issa-social-6fa00d8_1.html
DNA test hope over damages claims
On September 17th 2007, the BBC reported that a new DNA test may help prove if people have had their health damaged by exposure to chemicals.
Samples of DNA are taken from a healthy person and exposed to the chemicals to see which genes are affected. This is then compared to the claimants' DNA.
Experts say it could have huge implications on civil cases where workers seek compensation for illnesses caused by things such as asbestos.
The technique was developed by Dr Bruce Gillis at the University of Illinois. Dr Gillis said the technique - named msds1 - could prove an invaluable way of speeding up such cases, which can often drag on for years.
It can read the specific pattern of changes to DNA triggered by exposure to a chemical.
This unique DNA "fingerprint" can then be compared to samples taken from people making claims.
To read a full account click on the link below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6998437.stm
Samples of DNA are taken from a healthy person and exposed to the chemicals to see which genes are affected. This is then compared to the claimants' DNA.
Experts say it could have huge implications on civil cases where workers seek compensation for illnesses caused by things such as asbestos.
The technique was developed by Dr Bruce Gillis at the University of Illinois. Dr Gillis said the technique - named msds1 - could prove an invaluable way of speeding up such cases, which can often drag on for years.
It can read the specific pattern of changes to DNA triggered by exposure to a chemical.
This unique DNA "fingerprint" can then be compared to samples taken from people making claims.
To read a full account click on the link below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6998437.stm
Man with asbestos-related cancer sues company he worked with for 40 years
On 17th August 2007, Workplace Law, reported that an 81-year-old man with terminal asbestos-related cancer has launched a legal battle against the toy company he worked for for more than forty years.
Peter White developed malignant mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos when he worked for toy firm Mettoy Co Ltd as a joiner and maintenance man between 1939 and 1980. In the course of his work he removed old asbestos sheets used for office partitions, and used new asbestos sheets to form office partitions, which he cut with a circular saw, and he swept up the debris dry.
He also repaired asbestos roofs, by replacing old corrugated sections with new sections which he cut to size with a hand saw, and he removed damaged lagging and replaced it with new asbestos paste. White suffered from wheezing for some years, but found his condition deteriorated last summer, and he became increasingly short of breath and suffered pain. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2006. He has accused Mettoy of negligence and breach of statutory duty, and is suing for damages worth £150,000.
This document was printed from the Workplace Law Network: http://www.workplacelaw.net
http://www.workplacelaw.net/display.php?resource_id=8982
Peter White developed malignant mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos when he worked for toy firm Mettoy Co Ltd as a joiner and maintenance man between 1939 and 1980. In the course of his work he removed old asbestos sheets used for office partitions, and used new asbestos sheets to form office partitions, which he cut with a circular saw, and he swept up the debris dry.
He also repaired asbestos roofs, by replacing old corrugated sections with new sections which he cut to size with a hand saw, and he removed damaged lagging and replaced it with new asbestos paste. White suffered from wheezing for some years, but found his condition deteriorated last summer, and he became increasingly short of breath and suffered pain. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2006. He has accused Mettoy of negligence and breach of statutory duty, and is suing for damages worth £150,000.
This document was printed from the Workplace Law Network: http://www.workplacelaw.net
http://www.workplacelaw.net/display.php?resource_id=8982
Asbestos tipped at popular woods
On 28th August 2007, the Yorkshire Post reported that fly-tippers have dumped tonnes of potentially dangerous asbestos in the car park of one of the region's most heavily used woods.
The Forestry Commission is anticipating a bill running into thousands of pounds to have the asbestos sheeting, estimated to weigh about six tonnes, from a car park at Wharncliffe Wood, between Sheffield and Barnsley.
Money spent on that operation will have to be diverted from other projects aimed at improving the area.
The material was dumped in the car park at night and although the sheeting is not an immediate threat to public health, environmental health experts have advised the Forestry Commission that specialist contractors will be needed to dispose of it safely.Asbestos is a building material widely used in postwar structures which poses no risk while left untouched, but if broken or sawn releases dust which can eventually cause lung cancer if inhaled.
The Forestry Commission says it must have been carried in a substantial tipper lorry.The surrounding woodland is very popular with walkers, horse riders and cyclists and is also a haven for wildlife.
The Commission is determined the culprits should be prosecuted and police have been informed, although very few of those to blame for fly-tipping in the region have been prosecuted in recent years.
The Yorkshire Post revealed earlier this summer that councils in the region had spent £7m clearing up after illegal tippers in the last three years, although only one case in every 1,000 had led to a prosecution.
Sheffield – the worst area in Yorkshire with 257,793 cases of tipping recorded in three years – spent about £600,000 a year clearing up the mess. The council has now invested in covert CCTV equipment to help monitor activity at known trouble spots for tipping and expects an increase in enforcement action against offenders. Hull Council spent £868,965 over three years on cleaning up while Leeds Council spent £859,352.
To read the full account please click on the link below:
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/localnews/Asbestos-tipped-at-popular-
The Forestry Commission is anticipating a bill running into thousands of pounds to have the asbestos sheeting, estimated to weigh about six tonnes, from a car park at Wharncliffe Wood, between Sheffield and Barnsley.
Money spent on that operation will have to be diverted from other projects aimed at improving the area.
The material was dumped in the car park at night and although the sheeting is not an immediate threat to public health, environmental health experts have advised the Forestry Commission that specialist contractors will be needed to dispose of it safely.Asbestos is a building material widely used in postwar structures which poses no risk while left untouched, but if broken or sawn releases dust which can eventually cause lung cancer if inhaled.
The Forestry Commission says it must have been carried in a substantial tipper lorry.The surrounding woodland is very popular with walkers, horse riders and cyclists and is also a haven for wildlife.
The Commission is determined the culprits should be prosecuted and police have been informed, although very few of those to blame for fly-tipping in the region have been prosecuted in recent years.
The Yorkshire Post revealed earlier this summer that councils in the region had spent £7m clearing up after illegal tippers in the last three years, although only one case in every 1,000 had led to a prosecution.
Sheffield – the worst area in Yorkshire with 257,793 cases of tipping recorded in three years – spent about £600,000 a year clearing up the mess. The council has now invested in covert CCTV equipment to help monitor activity at known trouble spots for tipping and expects an increase in enforcement action against offenders. Hull Council spent £868,965 over three years on cleaning up while Leeds Council spent £859,352.
To read the full account please click on the link below:
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/localnews/Asbestos-tipped-at-popular-
Bags of Asbestos Left in Street
On August 20th 2007, the South Wales Echo reported that rubbish bags marked "blue asbestos" had been left in a South Wales street – for a month!
The bags were cordoned off by plastic fencing, but residents said they could pose a health hazard and demanded urgent action to remove them.
The bags were left at the corner of Queens Road and John Street, Penarth, where an urban regeneration project by the Vale of Glamorgan council is underway.
John Street resident Gary Davis, 53, a garage worker, said: "I rang the council three weeks ago to tell them about it. They said it would take specialist people to remove them and action would be taken. Nothing has happened since and the bags – about half a dozen of them – are still there.
"I think they contain roof slates. They are clear bags with a warning triangle with black and white stripes and are marked ‘blue asbestos’. . But it is a concern.
A spokesman for the council said it is believed that fly-tippers had dumped the bags at the site and they would be removed as soon as possible.
To read the full account please click on the link below:
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwalesecho/news/tm_headline=bags-of-asbestos-left-in-street-8211-for-a-month&method=full&objectid=19662799&siteid=50082-name_page.html#story_continue
The bags were cordoned off by plastic fencing, but residents said they could pose a health hazard and demanded urgent action to remove them.
The bags were left at the corner of Queens Road and John Street, Penarth, where an urban regeneration project by the Vale of Glamorgan council is underway.
John Street resident Gary Davis, 53, a garage worker, said: "I rang the council three weeks ago to tell them about it. They said it would take specialist people to remove them and action would be taken. Nothing has happened since and the bags – about half a dozen of them – are still there.
"I think they contain roof slates. They are clear bags with a warning triangle with black and white stripes and are marked ‘blue asbestos’. . But it is a concern.
A spokesman for the council said it is believed that fly-tippers had dumped the bags at the site and they would be removed as soon as possible.
To read the full account please click on the link below:
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwalesecho/news/tm_headline=bags-of-asbestos-left-in-street-8211-for-a-month&method=full&objectid=19662799&siteid=50082-name_page.html#story_continue
Road Closed After Suspected Asbestos Find
Hereford Times reported on 4th September 2007 that part of Hereford's Hoarwithy Road had been sealed off after an asbestos find south of the city.
This is the second time that asbestos has been found in the area. Two weeks ago residents living near the site of the first find at Saxon Gate - the old Stirling Lines SAS base - reported what they thought was asbestos lying "in pieces" along a stretch of Hoarwithy Road between Web Tree Avenue and Winston Road. The two sites are about 100 yards apart.
The scene has now been sealed off and environmental health teams from Herefordshire Council were due on site to make a preliminary investigation.
To read the full account click on the following link
http://www.herefordtimes.com/mostpopular.var.1662258.mostviewed.road_closed_after_suspected_asbestos_find.php
This is the second time that asbestos has been found in the area. Two weeks ago residents living near the site of the first find at Saxon Gate - the old Stirling Lines SAS base - reported what they thought was asbestos lying "in pieces" along a stretch of Hoarwithy Road between Web Tree Avenue and Winston Road. The two sites are about 100 yards apart.
The scene has now been sealed off and environmental health teams from Herefordshire Council were due on site to make a preliminary investigation.
To read the full account click on the following link
http://www.herefordtimes.com/mostpopular.var.1662258.mostviewed.road_closed_after_suspected_asbestos_find.php
Asbestos scandal: 'Name the culprits'
The Northern Echo reported on the 6th September 2007 that a former member of a council at the centre of a scandal which saw staff exposed to deadly asbestos has called for the senior officers, who were in charge at the time to be named.
Employees at Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex in Bishop Auckland were allowed to carry on working in the building for five years, even though their bosses had been given an official warning by inspectors that it contained asbestos.
Wear Valley Disctrict Council was fined £18,000 after it admitted six serious breaches of health and safety law. None of the executives who were in charge at the time appeared in court however because they no longer work for the authority.
Now retired councillor, Derek Jago has called for the officers responsible to be identified.
To read a full account, please click on the following link:
http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.1667998.0.asbestos_scandal_name_the_culprits.php
Employees at Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex in Bishop Auckland were allowed to carry on working in the building for five years, even though their bosses had been given an official warning by inspectors that it contained asbestos.
Wear Valley Disctrict Council was fined £18,000 after it admitted six serious breaches of health and safety law. None of the executives who were in charge at the time appeared in court however because they no longer work for the authority.
Now retired councillor, Derek Jago has called for the officers responsible to be identified.
To read a full account, please click on the following link:
http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.1667998.0.asbestos_scandal_name_the_culprits.php
Asbestos cases triple in a year
Legal and Medical .Co.UK reported on 7th, September 2007 that criminal prosecutions brought under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 more than tripled last year to 37.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched seven criminal prosecutions in 2003-2004. The number of prosecutions rose to 12 in 2004-2005, but increased dramatically to 37 in 2005-2006.
Nick McMahon of London law firm Reynolds Porter and Chamberlain says: "This is a serious issue for businesses and their individual directors."The rapidly increasing number of criminal prosecutions under the 2002 rules is a clear indication that all businesses, not just those in the highest risk industries, need to sit up and take notice of the asbestos issue. "The HSE appear to be making full use of the enforcement tools at their disposal to clamp down," he added.
The average penalty for health and safety convictions in 2005/6 was £29,997. This included fines of more than £100,000.
To read more please click on the link below
http://www.legal-medical.co.uk/news/11620.html
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched seven criminal prosecutions in 2003-2004. The number of prosecutions rose to 12 in 2004-2005, but increased dramatically to 37 in 2005-2006.
Nick McMahon of London law firm Reynolds Porter and Chamberlain says: "This is a serious issue for businesses and their individual directors."The rapidly increasing number of criminal prosecutions under the 2002 rules is a clear indication that all businesses, not just those in the highest risk industries, need to sit up and take notice of the asbestos issue. "The HSE appear to be making full use of the enforcement tools at their disposal to clamp down," he added.
The average penalty for health and safety convictions in 2005/6 was £29,997. This included fines of more than £100,000.
To read more please click on the link below
http://www.legal-medical.co.uk/news/11620.html
Fight for £300,000 in asbestos death claim
On 7th September 2007 the Dorset Daily Echo reported that a widow whose husband died of mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, is seeking damages of up to £300,000 from Poole council and a private company he worked for.
Barry Rankine's widow Annette, of Muscliffe Bournemouth, is claiming damages from Dixon Mechanical Services of Ferndown and Poole Borough Council.
Mr Rankine was exposed to deadly asbestos dust and fibres when he worked as a heating engineer for Dixon's predecessor at Hurn Airport near Bournemouth between 1965 and 1976.
He was also exposed to asbestos when he worked for the council as a painter and decorator working on council houses in the Poole area. He often worked in boiler rooms at the airport, stripping off asbestos lagging, and clearing up debris and dust, and by the end of the day he was often covered in dust.
His work for the council involved preparing pipes and gutters which contained asbestos, and he was not warned of the health risks.
To read the full account please click on the link below:
http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1673237.0.fight_for_300_000_in_asbestos_death_claim.php
Barry Rankine's widow Annette, of Muscliffe Bournemouth, is claiming damages from Dixon Mechanical Services of Ferndown and Poole Borough Council.
Mr Rankine was exposed to deadly asbestos dust and fibres when he worked as a heating engineer for Dixon's predecessor at Hurn Airport near Bournemouth between 1965 and 1976.
He was also exposed to asbestos when he worked for the council as a painter and decorator working on council houses in the Poole area. He often worked in boiler rooms at the airport, stripping off asbestos lagging, and clearing up debris and dust, and by the end of the day he was often covered in dust.
His work for the council involved preparing pipes and gutters which contained asbestos, and he was not warned of the health risks.
To read the full account please click on the link below:
http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1673237.0.fight_for_300_000_in_asbestos_death_claim.php
USA: Massive asthma rate in Ground Zero rescuers
In September TUC Risks reported that a new health peril is hitting the estimated 40,000 rescue and recovery workers who dug through the deadly rubble and toxic debris at Ground Zero of New York's World Trade Center.
A survey has found they are developing asthma at 12 times the normal rate for adults. The study, from the New York City Health Department, shows 3.6 per cent of Ground Zero workers report they have developed asthma after working at the site following the 11 September 2001 attacks.
The study was based on the responses collected by the World Trade Center Health Registry. Some 25,000 of the estimated 40,000 rescue workers have registered with the group. The study found that workers who arrived at the disaster site on the day of the attack and stayed more than 90 days reported the highest rate of new asthma - 7 per cent. Firefighters accounted for roughly 14 per cent of the reported cases.
Thomas Frieden, New York City's health commissioner, commented: 'The dust from the World Trade Center collapse appears to have had significant respiratory health effects at least for people who worked at the site.' Last autumn, a study by Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City found that 70 per cent of the Ground Zero workers suffered lung ailments and other problems from their exposure to 'a complex list of toxic chemicals' from asbestos to jet fuel to PCBs
A survey has found they are developing asthma at 12 times the normal rate for adults. The study, from the New York City Health Department, shows 3.6 per cent of Ground Zero workers report they have developed asthma after working at the site following the 11 September 2001 attacks.
The study was based on the responses collected by the World Trade Center Health Registry. Some 25,000 of the estimated 40,000 rescue workers have registered with the group. The study found that workers who arrived at the disaster site on the day of the attack and stayed more than 90 days reported the highest rate of new asthma - 7 per cent. Firefighters accounted for roughly 14 per cent of the reported cases.
Thomas Frieden, New York City's health commissioner, commented: 'The dust from the World Trade Center collapse appears to have had significant respiratory health effects at least for people who worked at the site.' Last autumn, a study by Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City found that 70 per cent of the Ground Zero workers suffered lung ailments and other problems from their exposure to 'a complex list of toxic chemicals' from asbestos to jet fuel to PCBs
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Ex-James Hardie boss in criminal probe
TUC Risks reported in September that the former managing director of James Hardie, Peter Macdonald, has been revealed as the target of a criminal investigation over compensation to asbestos victims.
He is first to be named as being investigated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission since it flagged a criminal investigation in February into the scandal that cost Mr Macdonald his job. Mr Macdonald's barrister, Steven Finch, disclosed the investigation in the NSW Supreme Court last month as he argued that his client should be excused from giving ASIC any information during a civil penalty case. Mr Finch said ASIC had written advising 'a criminal investigation is under way' but gave no further details.
Mr Macdonald, who led James Hardie from California where he oversaw the successful expansion of its housing products business in the US, has made no public appearance in Australia since a torrid stint in the witness box at the 2004 special commission of inquiry into the under funded asbestos disease compensation scheme. He resigned from the company during the furore after the commission's final report in which David Jackson QC said there appeared to be evidence of criminality.
He is first to be named as being investigated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission since it flagged a criminal investigation in February into the scandal that cost Mr Macdonald his job. Mr Macdonald's barrister, Steven Finch, disclosed the investigation in the NSW Supreme Court last month as he argued that his client should be excused from giving ASIC any information during a civil penalty case. Mr Finch said ASIC had written advising 'a criminal investigation is under way' but gave no further details.
Mr Macdonald, who led James Hardie from California where he oversaw the successful expansion of its housing products business in the US, has made no public appearance in Australia since a torrid stint in the witness box at the 2004 special commission of inquiry into the under funded asbestos disease compensation scheme. He resigned from the company during the furore after the commission's final report in which David Jackson QC said there appeared to be evidence of criminality.
Union ups school asbestos campaign
TUC Risks reported in September that Teaching union ATL is ramping up its awareness campaign on the dangers posed by asbestos in school buildings. The union says over 400 ATL members have so far signed its asbestos register, to indicate they may have been exposed at work.
ATL says the number on the register 'is growing daily'. As part of its health and safety training for reps ATL is using the Asbestos Forum's DVD, 'Mesothelioma: The human face of an asbestos epidemic' . 'We are also providing the DVD to our safety reps - which in turn give us an opportunity to highlight the risks of asbestos exposure at branch meetings,' said ATL safety adviser Doru Athinodoru. 'The reps will then be required to find out about their employers' asbestos policy and if asbestos is present in their workplace.'
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures show 147 education workers died from mesothelioma in the decade between 1991 and 2000, 73 of them primary and secondary school teachers. Cumbrian coroner David Osborne last year called for asbestos to be removed from all schools to protect pupils and staff.
The Asbestos Forum's mesothelioma clip has been viewed over 67,000 times on YouTube since its launch on 27 February 2007.
ATL says the number on the register 'is growing daily'. As part of its health and safety training for reps ATL is using the Asbestos Forum's DVD, 'Mesothelioma: The human face of an asbestos epidemic' . 'We are also providing the DVD to our safety reps - which in turn give us an opportunity to highlight the risks of asbestos exposure at branch meetings,' said ATL safety adviser Doru Athinodoru. 'The reps will then be required to find out about their employers' asbestos policy and if asbestos is present in their workplace.'
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures show 147 education workers died from mesothelioma in the decade between 1991 and 2000, 73 of them primary and secondary school teachers. Cumbrian coroner David Osborne last year called for asbestos to be removed from all schools to protect pupils and staff.
The Asbestos Forum's mesothelioma clip has been viewed over 67,000 times on YouTube since its launch on 27 February 2007.
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
NUT lessons on school asbestos
TUC Risks Sept 1st 2007 reported that the NUT teaching union has said that schools should conduct thorough asbestos surveys and headteachers, governors and premises staff must have better knowledge of asbestos management. The union's briefing, prepared after teachers and staff were placed at risk when asbestos was disturbed at a Derby school and the city's council was prosecuted successfully in May, says visual inspections of schools for a potential asbestos risk are not enough. 'Asbestos in poor condition may be hidden away in ceiling voids or behind wall panels and therefore not visible, but fibres may nonetheless seep through cracks and contaminate classrooms and other areas,' the guide says. It is critical of both government and Health and Safety Executive policies which say as long as asbestos is in good condition, it should be managed and not removed. 'Schools cannot say that their asbestos is in good condition unless they have taken measures to identify all of it and assess its condition,' NUT says. It adds that measures must be in place to ensure building work does not create risks, with all work undertaken by approved contractors. 'Protocols should be in place at school level so as to ensure that information about asbestos is passed on to contractors who are about to start work in schools.' The NUT's 10-point action plan concludes: 'Planned asbestos removal should take place during periods of school closure. In emergency situations, for example when asbestos in poor condition is uncovered, the area should be evacuated and sealed off immediately.'
USA - Groundbreaking Asbestos Conspiracy Lawsuit
On 27th August 2007 the South East Texas Record reported that a man from Orange County is suing 50 companies for conspiring to mine, process, sell and distribute asbestos products, suppressing the information pertaining to the fibre's hazardous influence on human health and purposely inflicting him with an asbestos disease.
According to the plaintiffs' original petition, companies such as Viacom, General Electric and Zurn Industries knew that the asbestos products they manufactured would hit the market without inspection for defects."Defendants knowingly conspired among themselves to cause Cooper's injuries, diseases, and illness and/or death by exposing him to asbestos," the suit said. "Defendants committed conspiracy by willfully misrepresenting and suppressing the truth as to the risks and dangers associated with asbestos."The suit says the defendants have been in possession of medical and scientific data exposing the health risks of asbestos for decades, but conspired among themselves to suppress the information.
The case has been assigned to the 128 Judicial District Case No. A070388-c
To read the full article click on the following link:
http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/199922-orange-man-says-asbestos-exposure-was-intentional-sues-50-companies
According to the plaintiffs' original petition, companies such as Viacom, General Electric and Zurn Industries knew that the asbestos products they manufactured would hit the market without inspection for defects."Defendants knowingly conspired among themselves to cause Cooper's injuries, diseases, and illness and/or death by exposing him to asbestos," the suit said. "Defendants committed conspiracy by willfully misrepresenting and suppressing the truth as to the risks and dangers associated with asbestos."The suit says the defendants have been in possession of medical and scientific data exposing the health risks of asbestos for decades, but conspired among themselves to suppress the information.
The case has been assigned to the 128 Judicial District Case No. A070388-c
To read the full article click on the following link:
http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/199922-orange-man-says-asbestos-exposure-was-intentional-sues-50-companies
Council fined £26,000
On 27th August 2007 Builder and Engineer online reported that Wear Valley District Council has had to pay nearly £26,000 after admitting six offences under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.
The council was fined £18,000 at Darlington Magistrates Court. It was also ordered to pay £7,722 costs.
The case was brought following a complaint by a maintenance worker who discovered that the plant room of the council-run leisure centre where he had worked for many years contained asbestos.
HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Richard Bishop, said: "A survey had been carried out in 2001 which identified asbestos containing materials. This information was not acted upon and no-one who worked in the plant room was made aware. As a result, work that was liable to disturb the asbestos was done without the necessary precautions required by law to protect their health from exposure.
Asbestos related diseases are the largest occupational killers in the UK accounting for up to 4,000 deaths per annum.
To read the full article, click on the following link:
http://www.builderandengineer.co.uk/news/health-and-safety/wear-valley-fined-over-asbestos-656.html
The council was fined £18,000 at Darlington Magistrates Court. It was also ordered to pay £7,722 costs.
The case was brought following a complaint by a maintenance worker who discovered that the plant room of the council-run leisure centre where he had worked for many years contained asbestos.
HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Richard Bishop, said: "A survey had been carried out in 2001 which identified asbestos containing materials. This information was not acted upon and no-one who worked in the plant room was made aware. As a result, work that was liable to disturb the asbestos was done without the necessary precautions required by law to protect their health from exposure.
Asbestos related diseases are the largest occupational killers in the UK accounting for up to 4,000 deaths per annum.
To read the full article, click on the following link:
http://www.builderandengineer.co.uk/news/health-and-safety/wear-valley-fined-over-asbestos-656.html
UK 'lags behind' on cancer deaths
TUC Risks 25th August reported that cancer survival rates in the UK are trailing behind much of the continent and in some cases struggling to stay ahead of eastern European countries despite significantly more funding.
A damning online editorial published alongside the findings in the Lancet Oncology medical journal suggests the cancer plans introduced in England in 2000 and Scotland in 2001 are not working and that remedying the problem would take a fundamental overhaul of NHS services.
The survey of cancer survival rates of 2.7 million people with cancer across Europe, Eurocare, shows that the gap between the highest survival rates, in the Nordic north and the lowest, mainly in eastern countries including Poland, is narrowing. But those in the UK remain stubbornly low.
The authors say: 'Overall, survival for all cancers combined in the UK as a whole is not only below the European average, it is also noticeably similar to some eastern European countries that spend less than one third of the UK's per capita healthcare budget.
Workplace health campaigners and unions earlier this year said that a failure by official UK agencies - including government departments and the Health and Safety Executive - to recognise and publicise occupational cancer risks and preventive measures was a contributory factor to the UK's poor performance on cancer.
To read the full article click on the following link:
http://by101fd.bay101.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg?msg=D87DD0A0-D4F4-4660-AB20-4FEFC3B514CE&start=0&len=73599&imgsafe=y&curmbox=00000000%2d0000%2d0000%2d0000%2d000000000001&a=b0f96df1d3fd77cb1f2d5696dfa543a2508803741a618703e68949adbff0011f
A damning online editorial published alongside the findings in the Lancet Oncology medical journal suggests the cancer plans introduced in England in 2000 and Scotland in 2001 are not working and that remedying the problem would take a fundamental overhaul of NHS services.
The survey of cancer survival rates of 2.7 million people with cancer across Europe, Eurocare, shows that the gap between the highest survival rates, in the Nordic north and the lowest, mainly in eastern countries including Poland, is narrowing. But those in the UK remain stubbornly low.
The authors say: 'Overall, survival for all cancers combined in the UK as a whole is not only below the European average, it is also noticeably similar to some eastern European countries that spend less than one third of the UK's per capita healthcare budget.
Workplace health campaigners and unions earlier this year said that a failure by official UK agencies - including government departments and the Health and Safety Executive - to recognise and publicise occupational cancer risks and preventive measures was a contributory factor to the UK's poor performance on cancer.
To read the full article click on the following link:
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New Scottish schools asbestos shock
TUC Risks 25th August 2007 reported that three-quarters of the schools in Aberdeenshire and half the schools in Aberdeen have asbestos in them. Figures obtained by the Aberdeen Press and Journal under freedom of information legislation show that most schools in the area are affected.
Recent reports have linked school asbestos exposures to asbestos related cancers in teachers and other school staff, leading one coroner in England to call for its removal from all schools.
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Recent reports have linked school asbestos exposures to asbestos related cancers in teachers and other school staff, leading one coroner in England to call for its removal from all schools.
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Asbestos dumper gets his assets frozen
TUC Risks 25th August 2007 reported that a Bradford man who was jailed in March for illegally dumping asbestos and other excavation waste has had his assets frozen. This is the first case of its kind.
The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), working with the Environment Agency (EA), obtained restraint orders to freeze properties belonging to 60-year-old William Reidy. The prosecution against Mr Reidy was brought by the EA following the illegal activities of his demolition business Space Making Development. Officers carried out surveillance on the site and estimated that a total of 200 lorry loads of waste had been illegally dumped. A skip containing asbestos sheeting was also discovered, for which the business did not hold a licence. Mr Reidy was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment on each of four charges relating to the keeping and depositing of waste, including asbestos.
His foreman, Leonard Imeson, was jailed for four months. A third man, Neil Medley, 45, was given 100 hours community service after he pleaded guilty to two offences of falsifying documents.
Paul Salter, environmental crime officer at the EA, said: 'This is the first time that assets have been seized in a case like this and shows that businesses cannot get away with putting profits before the environment and human health - as this case shows. If you are an offender, we will track you down and take you to court. We can then refer the case to the Assets Recovery Agency which will endeavour to confiscate any monies and assets made from these ill-gotten gains.'
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The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), working with the Environment Agency (EA), obtained restraint orders to freeze properties belonging to 60-year-old William Reidy. The prosecution against Mr Reidy was brought by the EA following the illegal activities of his demolition business Space Making Development. Officers carried out surveillance on the site and estimated that a total of 200 lorry loads of waste had been illegally dumped. A skip containing asbestos sheeting was also discovered, for which the business did not hold a licence. Mr Reidy was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment on each of four charges relating to the keeping and depositing of waste, including asbestos.
His foreman, Leonard Imeson, was jailed for four months. A third man, Neil Medley, 45, was given 100 hours community service after he pleaded guilty to two offences of falsifying documents.
Paul Salter, environmental crime officer at the EA, said: 'This is the first time that assets have been seized in a case like this and shows that businesses cannot get away with putting profits before the environment and human health - as this case shows. If you are an offender, we will track you down and take you to court. We can then refer the case to the Assets Recovery Agency which will endeavour to confiscate any monies and assets made from these ill-gotten gains.'
To read the full story click on the following link:
http://by101fd.bay101.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg?msg=D87DD0A0-D4F4-4660-AB20-4FEFC3B514CE&start=0&len=73599&imgsafe=y&curmbox=00000000%2d0000%2d0000%2d0000%2d000000000001&a=b0f96df1d3fd77cb1f2d5696dfa543a2508803741a618703e68949adbff0011f
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