Every year from 1st April to 7th April, it is Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW). GAAW is a dedicated period to help raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and highlighting the steps we can all take to protect workers, families and our future generations.  

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a government public body who assist with protecting people from dangers within the workplace and enforce health, safety and welfare. The HSE are calling on your support to share about asbestos resources to help highlight the risks, people safe and hopefully assist with preventing exposure to the asbestos.  

A key element is that asbestos was not recognised to be a dangerous substance until the 1980s and it still took until 1999 for this to be completely banned from use in buildings. Despite asbestos being banned in the UK for over 25 years, it is still responsible for approximately 5,000 deaths each year.

The reason for this is that asbestos is still present within many buildings, especially those built prior to 2000. These are not just industrial buildings but also residential buildings; your own home may have asbestos fibres. The most common area is in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, walls and heating systems. This is because asbestos was used to help insulate a room as it was known to be fire resistant and keep the heat in.  

Although asbestos is such a dangerous substance, it is only dangerous should it be damaged or disturbed, such as by knocking down a wall, replacing the heating system, removing the floor or removing the ceiling tiles. This must be done professional with all the correct protective equipment to avoid any dangers of a person inhaling the asbestos dust.  

Given that this is in homes, the HSE are running two crucial campaigns to raise awareness of the risks, providing free advice, downloadable resources and videos to help prevent exposure to asbestos.  

If you are a tradesperson whether this, be working as a construction worker, plumber, joiner, engineer or electrician, you are very likely to encounter asbestos when doing your day to day job. In order to help keep you safe please consider the Asbestos and You Campaign (Asbestos & You – Work Right to keep Britain safe). 

There is also a legal obligation that those who own non-domestic building such as offices, factories, schools and public buildings have the responsibility to manage the asbestos risks. This is under the Asbestos Your Duty campaign ( The duty to manage asbestos in buildings: Overview – HSE).  

Unfortunately, many have already been a victim of asbestos exposure. If you are suffering from exposure to asbestos, please consider contacting Asbestos Victims Support Group Form and researching on the Government website regarding the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits.

Here at Williamsons, we have assisted with many clients who have been exposed by asbestos and have unfortunately been diagnosed with asbestos related diseases such as pleural thickening, lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. If you have been exposed and want to discuss with our specialist Industrial Disease team, please contact us on 01482 323697.