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In the UK, the health risks from Asbestos exposure includes not only industrial workers, but also school teachers, Office Workers, NHS Hospital Staff, Engineers, and members of the public who can be exposed when buildings are demolished or when entering buildings containing asbestos that is not stabilised and covered.
A recent example of this happened on the 22nd April this year, at the old Royal Hospital site in Liverpool. From the video clip on the right, it can be seen that nearby workers clearly did not expect the building tower to collapse, otherwise they would not have been so close to the site in front of only a wire fence. Local media reported on the accidental fall of the complete tower block the next day, but only after the video had gone viral on social media. Click on the image above to run the 1 minute clip. You can see the full 6 minute video on YouTube The video does not show any form of worker protection or public safety procedures, with regard to avoiding environmental pollution of dust which in all probability contained silica and asbestos within the mix of concrete dust. If asbestos was present, then inhalation of it, even by workers or members of the public; puts them at risk of developing asbestos related illness such as Mesothelioma. It does not require a huge amount of dust to be inhaled. According to the Royal Liverpool Hospital website, the procedures to prevent health risks from Asbestos dust and environmental pollution includes:
It is hard to see evidence of that having taken place prior to the collapse of the tower block shown in the video above. The company concerned and the Hospital management claim that all precautionary measures including, an Asbestos register and a Health and Safety Executive Refurbishment/Demolition Survey were completed, and a suitable contractor was given the demolition contract with the work that being done in the right way. The hospital states on their website: In fact the statement should say "ACMs" - Asbestos Containing Materials, and not ASMs. Anyone wishing to complain about what happened when the Duncan Building collapsed, or the results of the air quality analysis that should have been done; and analysis of the building rubble after the collapse of the building; should contact the contractor, DSM Demolition:
Source:unionsafety / MAVSG / Liverpool Echo / Royal Liverpool University Hospital /Paul Frost (video) / YouTube
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