Nine years after its use was banned, statistics show that nearly 4,000 people in the UK die each year from the effects of asbestos exposure whilst at work.
Manchester,UK (PRWEB) November 27, 2008 -- On 24th November 1999, the Government's ban on the use of Asbestos came into force. Nine years on, statistics show that nearly 4,000 people in the UK die each year from the effects of asbestos exposure whilst at work. This figure, as predicted in 1999, exceeds the number of people killed in Road Traffic Accidents and the figure is set to rise. Yet despite these shocking figures, tradesmen and women continue to become exposed and fail to recognise that dangers still exist. The dangers of exposure are still so great that the Health & Safety Executive are currently running a campaign highlighting their concerns.
Although white, blue and brown asbestos have all been banned in the UK, the material remains in the fabric of some 500,000 buildings in the UK. But many workers seem to believe that the ban means no future exposure is likely. This couldn't be further from the truth. Exposure is still possible if cutting or drilling disturbs the asbestos fibres during any refurbishment of a building built before 2000. If asbestos is damaged whilst being worked with, the fine fibres become airborne and can be inhaled. Whilst protective clothing such as face masks is available, it is not always used. Partners of workers can even be exposed to asbestos from coming into contact with their clothing. Those most at risk work or have worked in the following trades: plumbing; building and bricklaying; roofing; ship building; flooring and carpentry and joinery. There's no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Put simply, the higher the levels of asbestos and the longer the time someone is exposed to it, the greater their risk of developing problems. Only now are we experiencing the after effects of exposure to the killer substance used extensively in the 1970s.
The risk of asbestos-related diseases is increased significantly for smokers. Related diseases don't tend to appear for many years, often between 25 and 40 years after exposure. Asbestos can cause thickening of the pleura, the membrane which lines the outside of the lung. If the thickening is severe, lung function is restricted causing shortness of breath. It can also cause Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Medication can relieve symptoms and improve breathing but there is no cure.
Michael Jeffries of First Personal Injury comments "If your job has exposed you to asbestos and been harmful to your health, you could be entitled to Industrial disease compensation.
Many victims are workers from ordinary backgrounds who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their occupation, often without any protection or prior warning of the dangers. Something as simple as the repeated removal of old lagging from pipe-work could have provided sufficient exposure to lead to a devastating health problem up to 40 years later.
We can offer free initial advice, and confidentially help victims decide if a claim for compensation is possible. Regrettably we can't undo the damage to victims' health, but we can take legal steps to ensure that family circumstances are appropriately compensated for future needs".
First Personal Injury works closely with experienced Medical Experts in order to ensure best possible outcomes. If you are worried, it is important for you and your family to make immediate contact with http://www.firstpersonalinjury.co.uk/accident/industrial-accident-disease/index.html [industrial disease claim experts at First Personal Injury who will handle all aspects of a compensation claim. Take the first step and contact Firstpersonalinjury.co.uk for further assistance and free, confidential advice.
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