The British Frozen Food Federation recognises Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2024 which is held annually between 1st -7th April to raise awareness of the risks of asbestos exposure and the need for prevention measures.

During Global Asbestos Awareness Week, organisations, trade associations, support groups, medical professionals, and individuals unite to inform others about the risks associated with asbestos exposure, share information about asbestos-related diseases, and promote measures to prevent exposure. The BFFF recently raised the profile to members through its Health & Safety Group.

Asbestos was banned in the UK on the 24thNovember 1999, and there is a concern that the new generation of workers or not fully aware of the dangers. We need to make everyone understand this these risks with Six million tons of asbestos still present and spread across 1.5 million buildings in the UK.

Please make your staff businesses aware of the following statistics:

• There are 26,000 mesothelioma deaths a year worldwide with a total of 107,000 deaths a year worldwide,
• The UK has 2,500 mesothelioma deaths a year with a total of 5,000 deaths a year in the UK,
• Blue asbestos is 500 times more dangerous, Brown asbestos 100 times more toxic than White,
• Asbestos will have claimed the lives of 10 million people worldwide before its fully controlled,
• Risk to workers is particularly high when work is being carried out at your premises through installation of new equipment, removal of old, maintenance work and construction /alteration work as asbestos fibres can be released if asbestos is disturbed or damaged.

The HSE is currently running two asbestos campaigns:

• Asbestos and You: highlights the risk of asbestos to tradespeople. It urges tradespeople to stay aware of hidden asbestos and protect themselves and others from exposure to asbestos fibres during their work,
• Asbestos – Your Duty: aims to raise awareness of the legal duty to manage asbestos in buildings. aims to reach those responsible for maintenance and repair of non-domestic buildings built before the year 2000. More information on asbestos can be found on the HSE website here: Asbestos – HSE.