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Yorkshire company backs government campaign to save lives

A South Yorkshire based company is backing a government health and safety campaign, helping to raise awareness about asbestos.

Global Environmental, a HSE licensed asbestos removal consultancy with offices in Goole, Doncaster and Kent, are supporting the ‘Silent Killer’ campaign, warning traders about threats of the lethal material which claims around 4000 lives a year.

The company, which has more than 25 years experience in the asbestos removal industry, is working to reduce the amount of people affected by the UK’s single biggest killer in the workplace, and with around 20 trades people a week dying from asbestos related conditions, will help save thousands of lives.

Wayne Stead, Managing Director at Global Environmental said: “Asbestos is a real issue, affecting thousands of people every day. Some may not be aware of the substance and what it can do, but anyone from electricians, plasterers, builders, plumbers and joiners can suffer from exposure, so it’s our job to help monitor and remove what can be a dangerous chemical.

“This campaign is to make people aware that any building constructed before the year 2000 could potentially contain asbestos which could then affect trades people who come in to work on these buildings.

Unharmful, low levels of asbestos fibres already exist in the environment and in some tightly bound products, but it is when increased dangerous levels of fibres are present in the atmosphere and are inhaled, that the results can prove fatal.

Diseases such as fatal mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity, asbestosis, which causes scarring of the lungs, restricting breathing, can occur, although most of these will take affect years after initial exposure.

Due to extensive use of asbestos in many construction projects from the 1950s through to the mid 1980s, renovations and repairs to older buildings can mean construction workers, trades people and other building maintenance workers may be exposed to very high concentrations of asbestos fibres.

The award winning ‘Silent Killer’ campaign, has highlighted the dangers of the material in the UK and has encouraged asbestos training as a legal requirement for those working on constructs built before 2000.

Added Wayne: “This campaign is vitally important as an awareness raising exercise. We want people to be aware of the issue and then make sure that they are compliant with health and safety regulations for dealing with this dangerous substance.

“Our team works to safeguard environments by providing a range of services from the initial site survey, sample analysis, through to fully controlled asbestos removals.

“Through training and awareness campaigns we will continue to do all we can to help to raise awareness so that people, especially those in commercial properties, know that the risks of mishandling asbestos can be costly both to health and business.

For more information on Global Environmental and their services, please visit http://www.globalenviro.co.uk/