ASBESTOS - Britain’s biggest workplace killer – death toll tops 35,000

1. HSE Construction Division Scotland, Yorkshire & North East Unit
Head of Operations : J Reuben
NEWCASTLE CONSTRUCTION DIVISION NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2009 - ISSUE NO.9
Britain’s biggest workplace killer – death toll tops 35,000
A new generation of workers are at risk unless building trades get to grips with
Britain’s biggest workplace killer – asbestos. Figures show that around a
quarter of the 4,000 or so people dying from asbestos-related diseases each
year in Britain are tradesmen such as joiners, electricians and plumbers.
Across Britain, more than 35,000 people died from the asbestos-related cancer
mesothelioma between 1977 and 2007 – and the numbers are increasing.
Latest annual figures show that 2,156 people died from the disease in 2007
alone, up five per cent on the previous year. The Asbestos: Hidden Killer
campaign runs throughout November – to get your FREE asbestos information
pack call 0845 345 0055 or visit www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller - the information
highlights where asbestos-containing material may be present, what they look
like, how they should be dealt with and where to find training.
Ladder accidents
On average, 12 people a year die at work falling from ladders and over 1,200 suffer major injuries.
Ladders remain the most common agent involved and account for more than a quarter of all falls
from height. HSE’s key message is that ladders should only be used for low-risk, short-duration
work.
Contractor fractures skull: During refurbishment of a warehouse, a contractor placed a ladder
between two stands of a pallet racking so that the bottom of the ladder was resting against one
rack – so that it would not slip – and the top was leading on the other. The ladder, which was
wooden, was at an angle of about 45 degrees. It broke under his weight and he fractured his skull.
Ladder slipped on wet, sloping grass: An employee of a construction/building services company
was replacing house windows. He was carrying some silicon sealant up the ladder for a new
window and had reached a height of about 3m when the bottom of the ladder slipped out and the
employee fell, badly fracturing his leg. The ladder had been resting on grass that sloped gently
away from the building and it had been raining. The ladder was not footed as the injured man’s
colleague had been inside the building at the time, and the ladder was not tied or secured by any
other means.
Supervisor sets bad example: The supervisor of a team of shop fitters was concerned that the
target date for completion of a project would be missed. On arriving on site to assess progress, he
became involved in helping to finish the job on time. He fell 2m from an unsecured ladder after
over-reaching while trying to pull cabling through the ductwork. He broke an ankle and wrist in four
places. The project was not completed to deadline.
Further information and advice about safe ladder use can be found here.
Work at height solutions database is now available
The solutions database contains advice and guidance for safe working at height. This useful list of
common questions and answers are drawn from information given by the HSE Falls from Height
Team to enquirers on understanding the Regulations, on work at height equipment selection and
on equipment use. By searching the list you may find the right information for your own enquiry.
This note has been prepared by HSE Construction Division Newcastle upon Tyne to assist those involved with construction projects. If
you wish to discuss the contents or unsubscribe please contact Construction Administration Newcastle, Arden House, Regent Centre,
Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3JN
(0191) 202 6250 or e-mail construction.newcastle.area19@hse.gsi.gov.uk

2. HSE Construction Division Scotland, Yorkshire & North East Unit
Head of Operations : J Reuben
NEWCASTLE CONSTRUCTION DIVISION NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2009 – ISSUE NO.9
Shattered Lives posters
We have recently updated all of our campaign posters so they can be personalised for your
workplace. View the new posters and all the campaign materials here.
Managing health and safety in construction – FREE to download!
Just a reminder that this publication, which costs £15 from HSE Books, is now free to
download and can be viewed on your computer or printed on your own printer. You will
require a viewer to view this PDF file, one of these is available at the Adobe Acrobat
site.
Risk assessments
Try the FREE example risk assessment and health and safety policy statement here. There are
also free downloadable examples that show the kind of approach HSE expects a small business or
workplace to take here.
Recent prosecutions
(1) A Lancashire-based firm and a director were recently found guilty at
Gateshead Magistrates Court following an incident in July 2007 in which a
Newcastle man sustained serious injuries after he fell seven metres to a
warehouse floor. The company were contracted to carry out industrial roof
repairs which involved fitting steel sheets over the existing fragile plastic roof
lights when one of their employees stepped onto an unprotected fragile
plastic roof light. The director, who was present on the roof directing the
refurbishment work at the time of the incident, was fined £1,000 and ordered
to pay £200 costs after pleading guilty to charges under the Health and
Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and the company was fined £6,000 and
ordered to pay £2,838 costs under the same legislation.
(2) At Newcastle Crown Court on 10th November 2009, a house builder
pleaded guilty to a single charge under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety
at Work etc Act 1974. It follows the death of a seven year old in Washington
in April 2006. The company were refurbishing a block of flats and the court
heard that a scaffold was required for work that could have been timetabled
so as to be performed within one day, but remained in place for a total of 12
days. The company had removed a short ladder to prevent access to the
first lift. A 7m ladder extended from the first lift and gave access to a flat
roof. Children managed to gain access onto the roof of the three storey
domestic building and make a den. Tragically, the seven year old fell from
the roof area. The company was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £46,109
costs.
Coming soon….health and safety myths calendar 2010
A compilation of new HSE Myth of the Month cartoons - 'Health and safety' banning everything
from ladders to school trips is a familiar headline, but it's rarely true. The cartoons are very funny,
but show how misleading stories can distract people from the serious business of managing real
health and safety risks sensibly. Order your copy from here
This note has been prepared by HSE Construction Division Newcastle upon Tyne to assist those involved with construction projects. If
you wish to discuss the contents or unsubscribe please contact Construction Administration Newcastle, Arden House, Regent Centre,
Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3JN
(0191) 202 6250 or e-mail construction.newcastle.area19@hse.gsi.gov.uk