Asbestos in the workplace: Why expert protection still matters

With the arrival of Global Asbestos Awareness Week (1-7 April), it’s a timely reminder that more needs to be done by businesses that handle asbestos.

Although it rarely makes headline news, exposure to asbestos is the greatest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain, with approximately 5,000 people dying every year from asbestos-related diseases1.

Such illnesses are caused by inhaling microscopic fibres, which cause inflammation and scarring over time. Asbestos-related diseases often have a latency period of many years, meaning that symptoms might not appear for decades2.

Your duty as an employer

Encountering asbestos can occur in many workplaces across numerous industries, including pharmaceuticals, construction, facilities management, and beyond.

As an employer, you must take responsibility to protect yourself and your staff from the dangers of asbestos. That begins with asbestos awareness training and risk assessments, ensuring any desired work is planned properly and carried out by competent staff.

Asbestos protection sorted

If asbestos handling cannot be avoided, it’s vital to choose the best-possible defence for your team, starting with specialist training. Working closely with industry, Arco has developed a range of asbestos-related courses, geared towards giving you total confidence in hazardous conditions.

Beyond training, you’ll need high-performance coveralls designed with the wearer and the task in mind. The Arco CAT III Type 5/6 coveralls provide breathable comfort, anti-static properties, and robust protection, making them ideal for a variety of workplaces.

Want to know more?

To learn more, contact Steven Lyall (Steven.Lyall@arco.co.uk). You can also take a closer look at Arco’s asbestos coveralls in this video.