What is Asbestosis?
Asbestosis has been attributed to over 5000 deaths and over 13,000 disablement benefit cases in the UK over a 30 year period. So what is asbestosis? Asbestosis is a form of lung fibrosis which is directly caused by breathing in asbestos fibres. It is a condition that has no cure with symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pains, persistent coughing and difficulty breathing. Complications can result in fatalities. Asbestos Awareness Training is a course designed to meet the requirements of the Health & Safety Executive for anyone coming into contact with asbestos at work. It is widely excepted that heavy exposure to asbestos in the past is the cause of asbestosis. The UKATA Asbestos Awareness Training Course is aimed at the reduction of fatalities and illness caused by this horrible illness that can we repeat is directly attributed to to prolonged exposure to asbestos.
How Many Fatalities are Caused by Asbestosis?
The mortality rate attributed to asbestosis in 2009 showed 411 deaths as opposed to 109 deaths in 1978 the trend is definitely on the increase and reinforces the need for asbestos awareness training. The mortality rate is due to the prolonged exposure to asbestos in the past and again is testament for training in asbestos awareness. Health and Safety Courses are essential to not only keep the workforce an general public safe but also to limit the potential litigation against managers and owners of businesses.
Disabilities and Asbestosis
It is not in dispute that asbestosis is a debilitating illness, the cases of Industrial Injury Disability Benefit have increased rapidly over recent years and in 2010 there was an all time high of 1015 new cases. The rise could be attributed to better diagnosis but in reality it is far more likely that as a society we are seeing the very real damage come to light that is the legacy of working extensively with asbestos or coming into contact with asbestos in the past without adequate protection.
The importance of adequate Health & Safety Training has never really been in dispute. The facts presented covering the deaths and the disabilities that can be directly attributed to working with or working in close proximity to asbestos bring home to us the very real human and social costs to this horrible illness.
It is worth repeating that it is widely excepted that heavy exposure to asbestos in the past is the cause of asbestosis. Asbestos Awareness Training is a very real tool against the reduction of this horrible disease.
