Zen Law Solicitors has responded to news that HSE have launched a brand new campaign to promote asbestos awareness and limit tradespeople deaths

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has this month launched a new app and website in an effort to promote asbestos safety and raise awareness.

Every week 20 tradespeople die as a result of asbestos related injuries, from painters and decorators to construction workers, and 1.3 million are thought to be at risk of asbestos dangers. It’s also estimated that they could come in contact with asbestos as many as 100 times a year, putting them in considerable danger.

In response, HSE has created an engaging web app for laptop, smartphone and tablet users, providing professionals with multiple-choice questions relating to their trade, jobs and materials. The app will then offer advice on how to safely proceed and protect themselves from risk.

It’s hoped the initiative, created at a cost of £1.1 million, will limit deaths and keep the 1.3 million tradespeople safe from harm. 200,000 asbestos safety kits will be freely given away throughout the country at TradePoint stores. Included in the kits is an information pack and specialist overalls.

Philip White, HSE chief inspector for construction, was keen to stress the dangers of asbestos.

“Asbestos is still a very real danger and the survey findings suggest that the people who come into contact with it regularly often don’t know where it could be and worryingly don’t know how to deal with it correctly, which could put them in harm’s way,” he explained. “Our new campaign aims to help tradespeople understand some of the simple steps they can take to stay safe. Our new web app is designed for use on a job so workers can easily identify if they are likely to face danger and can then get straight forward advice to help them do the job safely.”

A spokesman for Zen Law Solicitors, a Manchester-based company specialising in personal injury claims, believes that the initiative will help to tackle industrial diseases.

“Many people mistakenly believe that the threat of asbestos isn’t that big of an issue in this day and age but unfortunately there are many out there who know better. It’s still a risk for over a million tradespeople and if proper procedures aren’t taken there’s a very real chance of ill health and even death,” he said. “We’ve helped many people who’ve fallen foul of industrial diseases and asbestos is easily one of the most common cases we’re presented with. This new web app should help to alleviate the problem and help people to work safer and smarter.”

Zen Law Solicitors offer a number of personal injury related solutions. Their services encompass everything from road traffic accidents and accidents at work to medical negligence and industrial diseases. Visit them today at www.zenlaw.co.uk for more information.