Scientists in the UK are calling for patients suffering from asbestos related mesothelioma and their families to come forward to help with vital clinical research. There is a new survey that aims to promote better understanding of the diagnosis, care and treatment of people who suffer from the disease which has been dubbed the “hidden killer” by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Recent news reports reveal that there is a new bill in Scotland which aims to allow NHS Scotland to recover some of the costs of caring for people who have contracted industrial diseases such as fatal mesothelioma. The Recovery of Medical Costs for Asbestos Diseases (Scotland) Bill has come about after years of campaigning by Clydesdale Action on Asbestos and Nationalist West of Scotland MSP, Stuart McMillan.
Asbestos regulations in the UK are stringent nowadays – the use of asbestos materials was totally banned here in 1985 while second hand reuse, import and sales have been illegal since 1999.
Despite these strict control measures we are still seeing cases of asbestos related disease and these are on the increase as the time between first exposure to asbestos and contraction of the disease can range between 25 and 50 years. This means that we still have many years to wait before we see the eradication of asbestos related illnesses.
The Daily Mail reported last week that deaths from asbestos are likely to peak in 2015. It was revealed that senior doctors in the UK have warned that the number of cases of mesothelioma (asbestos related cancer) affecting workers exposed to asbestos before the 1980s has yet to reach a peak. A report in the British Medical Journal disclosed that a peak in the epidemic was unlikely to happen until 2015 at the earliest.
Recent reports reveal that the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Margaret Hodge, is urging the Queen’s treasurer to consider the “commercial success” of the Sandringham Estate as it tries to plug a gap in the Royal household’s finances.
During a recent evidence session about the Sovereign Grant (the deal between the Royal family and the taxpayer), it was revealed that during essential maintenance work on the occupied royal palaces asbestos was removed from the basement of Buckingham Palace.
It’s been revealed that a Gloucestershire man recently died as a result of contracting malignant mesothelioma, a fatal cancer that is usually caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. As we explained in one of our blog posts back in December, mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is fatal and the average survival rate following diagnosis is only about 9 months.
We’ve had some absolutely dreadful weather in the UK in recent months and it looks likely to continue with more severe weather and flood warnings being posted on a regular basis. As we reported in a recent blog post, seaside towns were particularly badly affected by high tides and this has led to small businesses all over the UK suffering damaged premises. This risk is just as likely for business premises in areas that are prone to flooding and weather reports are promising more severe flooding to come in the coming weeks.
The British Safety Council (BSC) is organising a half-day conference in Manchester on February 26th 2014 aimed at employers, directors and managers in organisations and businesses of all types in the north west of England and the surrounding regions.
The event will be held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester’s city centre with expert speakers from the health, safety and legal sectors booked to address delegates on important developments in the UK health and safety legislation, enforcement and practice.