JUAC statement on UK failure to comply with EC asbestos legislation
“The European Commission acknowledges that the UK’s Asbestos Management Regulations are in adequate.
The latest statistics (February 2011) show that the numbers of school teachers dying from the asbestos related cancer mesothelioma has increased again.
45 school teachers died of mesothelioma in the three year period 2006 to 2008.
On average during the period 15 school teachers died each year of mesothelioma.
The numbers have increased year on year since mesothelioma occupational records began in 1980 when 3 school teachers died on average each year of mesothelioma.
Despite the statistics the Coalition Government continues to suggest that schools are low risk workplaces and have failed, despite requests from all the major education unions and the Asbestos in Schools Campaign Group, to assess the relevance of the teachers deaths and the risk of asbestos exposure to children.
When will the Coalition Government move to improve the regulation of asbestos management to ensure that teachers and pupils are protected?”
For further information, please contact Vanessa Charters on 0113 297 9844 or 07595564764.
