Though asbestos is no longer used in construction in the United States or the United Kingdom, there is still significant danger posed by legacy asbestos in existing structures and in areas where asbestos-contaminated buildings previously stood. Companies doing demolition and excavation in these areas are required to exercise great care to protect against the carcinogenic material spreading, and when they fail to do so, their employees and those in the vicinity of the work are put at great risk. A UK-based logistics company was recently fined the U.S. equivalent of over $150,000 for its failure to protect its workers and to conduct appropriate testing.
Staff Fears Mesothelioma After Logistics Company Exposed them to Asbestos
Employees of logistics company Eddie Stobart are now living with fear of a future mesothelioma diagnosis after it became apparent that the company had exposed them to asbestos. The issue dates back to early 2018 when one of the company’s properties was designated for storage of empty containers. Upon realization that the ground where the containers were to be placed was uneven, the company opted for scraping away the top layer in order to make the surface more level. The material that was unearthed contained the remnants of old, asbestos-contaminated buildings that had once stood on the spot and had been demolished.
In order to prevent against asbestos-related diseases, the United Kingdom requires companies doing this type of work to conduct asbestos surveys before they begin digging. Additionally, employees are supposed to receive training about asbestos and how to minimize the risk of contamination. The Health and Safety Executive investigated what had happened on the site and found that neither step had been taken. The company also failed to report the release of asbestos once it had happened.
Employees at Risk of Mesothelioma Recall Dusty Environment
Upon interviewing the employees who were placed at risk for mesothelioma, investigators found that over a several month period the remnants of several old buildings were uncovered, including underground basement cavities that were later backfilled. The workers indicated that they had expressed concern about the dust that was created.
Because a risk assessment was not conducted and nothing was done to control the potential spread of asbestos, there is the potential that many people breathed in asbestos fibers. No testing was conducted until months after the work had been completed, at which time the contamination was discovered. This means that the employees on-site as well as anybody in the general vicinity are now at risk for mesothelioma. Speaking of the incident, HSE Inspector Stuart Wood said, “Asbestos was historically used in countless applications and can be found in a variety of places. The law requires businesses undertaking work in demolition, maintenance or any other work which exposes or is liable to expose employees to asbestos to assume ACMs are present unless you have evidence, such as an asbestos survey to indicate otherwise. The duty to manage asbestos relates to entire premises including yard areas, not just buildings. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.”
The risk of mesothelioma will persist as long as legacy asbestos remains in the environment. If you have been exposed to asbestos and are concerned about your health, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
