Last weekend The Sunday Times launched #ActNowOnAsbestos, a hard-hitting campaign which urges the Government to take urgent action to protect people from the UK’s asbestos epidemic.
The campaign makes important recommendations to help protect members of the public from the hidden dangers of asbestos, which poses a serious threat to our health and wellbeing more than 25 years after its use in new buildings officially banned.
As well as encouraging the Government to commit to a phased removal of asbestos from public buildings over the next 40 years, it also pushes for the development of a national register, minimum standards for dutyholders, the development of an app or digital register for anyone involved in the renovation of old buildings and the regular reporting of the air quality around buildings which are known to contain asbestos.
As one of the leading asbestos management consultancies in the UK, the team at Acorn Analytical Services is very proud to be supporting this important campaign in the hope that – finally – prompt action will be taken, and many more lives will be saved.
As the campaign rightly says, enough is enough.
Acorn Analytical Services: A proud tradition of campaigning for change
For many years it has felt as though Acorn Analytical Services has been a lone voice in the fight against asbestos but thankfully, the tide does appear to be turning.
In recent months, a number of important reports have been published which make for grim reading.
In November, Atac and Norac compiled a joint report on the state of asbestos in the UK, concluding that a significant number of sites have asbestos with varying degrees of damage.
The Work and Pensions Committee also recommended that a 40-year target be set for its removal in non-domestic buildings with its Chair, Sir Stephen describing asbestos as ‘one of the great workplace tragedies of modern times.’
The Government rejected the recommendations, arguing that it remains safe as long as it isn’t disturbed.
Elsewhere, Acorn Analytical Services proudly supported Mesothelioma UK’s campaign, Don’t Let The Dust Settle, which called on the Government to not ignore the 2,500 people who are diagnosed with this deadly cancer each year as a result of exposure to this hidden killer.
Now with the launch of The Sunday Times campaign, it finally feels as though momentum is building across the UK and that the time has finally come for real and meaningful change.
We must not let this important opportunity slip through our fingers and we implore the Government to sit up and take notice and give this campaign the attention it so rightly deserves.
Asbestos: Why change matters
As an asbestos management consultancy we are absolutely committed to supporting our clients – whether that’s by helping with surveys, management, through our training sessions or by raising awareness.
But the work we do goes much further than that.
There is no doubt that asbestos is a serious risk to all of us – regardless of age, sex or ethnicity and unless action is taken now the number of people who die from mesothelioma in the future will only increase.
That’s why we’re fully behind The Sunday Times’ campaign and will do everything we can to support it.
To put it simply – it’s the right and moral thing for us to do.
Acorn is a professional consultancy helping organisations deal with asbestos compliance using surveys, air testing, and removal management.
Please call one of the team, or use the online form to obtain your free quotation. If you would like further information or advice on asbestos training, contact the team on 0844 818 0895 or Contact Us
