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Union calls for review of regulations governing asbestos management
04/06/2009
There are huge discrepancies in the rules governing the management of asbestos in people's homes, according to the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT).
A new report from the organisation, entitled As Safe as Houses, has warned that homeowners are at risk of being exposed to the lethal building material and people embarking on DIY projects face greater danger.
The report states that there are "major flaws in legislation concerning properties containing asbestos in the private sector" as well as those used for social housing.
UCATT general secretary Alan Ritchie said: "This excellent new report details how thousands of householders' health is being put at risk because they do not know that asbestos is present in their home."
He went on to state that "new regulations are urgently needed in order to ensure that construction workers undertaking maintenance and refurbishment work are properly protected".
One of the illnesses arising from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, which claims the lives of more than 2,000 people in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK every year.
Lyn Harris, head of employment and litigation at Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors said: "asbestos exposure may not manifest itself as harmful for years after exposure and we would strongly urge anyone with symptoms who has come into contact with this material in the past to see their doctor and to contact us."
Ms Harris is accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers as a senior litigator and Wilson Nesbitt is an accredited practice.
Contact us for legal advice
A new report from the organisation, entitled As Safe as Houses, has warned that homeowners are at risk of being exposed to the lethal building material and people embarking on DIY projects face greater danger.
The report states that there are "major flaws in legislation concerning properties containing asbestos in the private sector" as well as those used for social housing.
UCATT general secretary Alan Ritchie said: "This excellent new report details how thousands of householders' health is being put at risk because they do not know that asbestos is present in their home."
He went on to state that "new regulations are urgently needed in order to ensure that construction workers undertaking maintenance and refurbishment work are properly protected".
One of the illnesses arising from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, which claims the lives of more than 2,000 people in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK every year.
Lyn Harris, head of employment and litigation at Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors said: "asbestos exposure may not manifest itself as harmful for years after exposure and we would strongly urge anyone with symptoms who has come into contact with this material in the past to see their doctor and to contact us."
Ms Harris is accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers as a senior litigator and Wilson Nesbitt is an accredited practice.
Contact us for legal advice
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