Who's accountable when making asbestosis claims?
Asbestos was used for its good insulating qualities in building materials predominantly from the 1950s-1980s. Back then compensation claims were not so common; there was far less awareness about the affects of asbestos dust and organisations such as the Health and Safety Executive were not in place to support the Health and Safety Commission to ensure that work accident risks were minimised.
When it comes to working with asbestos today, employers are accountable for their employees' health and safety, particularly protecting their workforce from sustaining personal injury and industrial illness such as asbestos-related diseases.
There are a number of duties that employers and management have to undertake when working with asbestos in order to protect their workers from exposure and decrease the rate of compensation claims being made against them of the company they work for. These include:
- Finding out if materials containing asbestos are present and planning work accordingly in order to avoid disturbing these materials where possible
- Making sure that anyone who is going to work with asbestos material is properly trained and supervised
- Being aware of the type of work that can be carried out on materials containing asbestos, for example knowing whether the assistance of a Health and Safety Executive contractor is required
- Taking account of all other risks that may lead to accidents at work and supplying appropriate safety equipment, such as working at height
- Using equipment and method sheets as well as the correct task sheet as supplied by the Health and Safety Executive to make sure that the job is carried out properly and exposure to asbestos is kept a low as possible. Visit www.hse.gov.uk for further details.
- Devising a work plan, explaining what the job involves, the work procedures and what controls need to be used
- Providing employees with appropriate equipment which is clean, in good working condition and protects adequately against asbestos
- Training all employees how to use and wear this equipment
- Making sure that the work area is inspected visually at the at the end of each job to check that it's safe for the next person
- Making arrangements for the safe disposal of any asbestos waste. It must be double bagged, labelled as asbestos waste and disposed of at a licensed tip. Contact the Environment Agency (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk) for further details.
- Consulting the company's health and safety representative if there is one
If you have been exposed to asbestos at work as a result of an employer's failure to protect you from such a health and safety violation and you wish to make a compensation claim then you have come to the right place. Even if you were exposed to asbestos many years ago, we may be able to help you claim against the organisation or organisations responsible. Click here to read a case study.
Free legal advice about asbestosis claims
We are associated with some of the UK's leading personal injury solicitors who are experts with compensation claims resulting from accidents at work.
If you, or a member of your family, have suffered the affects of an asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis or mesothelioma then contact us today and we may be able to put you in touch with a specialist solicitor that can help you make a personal injury compensation claim for pain, suffering and lost earnings.
We work on a strictly no win, no fee basis and you will not have to pay any fees if your claim is unsuccessful. But in addition to that, we will not charge you a penny for our services, no matter what the outcome of your claim.
If you would like free legal advice then why not contact one of our claim advisors via e-chat? To make a no win, no fee compensation claim today either fill out a request call back form or give us a call on 0800 197 32 32. Make a claim with The Claim Solicitors, the compensation claim experts, and receive 100% of your award guaranteed.
