Once everywhere, asbestos now feels like the relic of a Britain in which health and safety legislation was lagging, smoking indoors was commonplace, and seatbelts were a matter of personal choice. It seems almost ludicrous to many younger people that something now so seemingly ominous was once seen as the golden egg; hidden in many everyday objects. Even more ludicrous, still, is the idea that 40 years on from its ban, this dormant devil could be lying in wait and affecting unsuspecting tradespeople across the UK. This is why the government launched its ‘Asbestos and You’ campaign, aiming to educate – particularly younger – tradespeople on the hidden dangers of their occupation. Here's everything you need to know about the campaign and how you can start implementing safety into your day-to-day work.
Why was the Asbestos and You campaign developed?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched its Asbestos and You campaign to raise awareness among tradespeople about the very real risks of asbestos exposure; particularly among those who started their careers after white asbestos was banned in 1999.
Despite its prohibition, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remain present in any building constructed or refurbished before 2000, meaning many tradespeople are still exposed today, often without even realising. Unfortunately, younger workers are especially vulnerable, not just because of their time in the industry ahead, but because many mistakenly believe asbestos-related illness only affects older generations of workers.
According to HSE’s Chief Executive Sarah Albon:
“Asbestos exposure in Great Britain is still the single greatest cause of work-related deaths. Everyone working in construction today, of any age, must take the risk from asbestos seriously.”
At Summit Environmental, we echo this sentiment. We work with property managers, developers, landlords and contractors to deliver safe, compliant asbestos surveying, testing and consultancy, because no building safety strategy is complete without asbestos risk management.
Trades that are at risk of being exposed to asbestos
While anyone carrying out works in older buildings is at potential risk, certain trades are more likely to disturb hidden asbestos during the course of their work. These include:
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Carpenters and joiners
- Roofers
- Painters and decorators
- Plasterers
- Gas fitters
- Heating and ventilation engineers
- Demolition workers
- Computer and telecoms engineers
- Alarm installers
- General maintenance workers
- Architects and surveyors
According to Asbestos Justice, over 1.3 million UK tradespeople are still at risk of asbestos exposure, with an average of 20 asbestos-related deaths a week amongst tradespeople, due to a lack of awareness of its presence or the correct procedures when encountering it. This risk is not confined to derelict buildings: refurbishment, rewiring, maintenance, or fitting smart meters in homes, schools, and shops built pre-2000 can all expose workers to danger.
What are the impacts of asbestos exposure at work?
Asbestos-related diseases are silent and slow to develop. It can take 20–30 years for symptoms to appear after exposure. Sadly, by the time illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural thickening are diagnosed, they are often fatal or severely life-limiting.
Tragically, asbestos remains the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, with around 5,000 people dying each year as a result of past exposure.
What makes asbestos so dangerous is its invisibility: the fibres can’t be seen, smelled, or felt—but they can be inhaled and become permanently lodged in lung tissue, causing irreversible damage over time.
How you can stay safe in at-risk trades
If you manage a building or work in one as a tradesperson, awareness and proper safety procedures are your first line of defence.
Here’s how to stay safe:
- Check the building's age: If it was built or refurbished before 2000, assume asbestos may be present.
- Review the asbestos register: If you’re a property manager or developer, ensure you’ve commissioned a professional asbestos survey.
- Ensure asbestos awareness training: Tradespeople should complete certified training through bodies like UKATA.
- Don’t start work without a risk assessment: If there’s any chance asbestos might be disturbed, work must be paused until the risks are fully understood.
- Use correct PPE: Disposable overalls and RPE (respiratory protective equipment) must be used as standard.
- Use licensed professionals: Higher-risk asbestos work must only be carried out by licensed contractors.
Remember, even non-licensed work with asbestos must be handled with care and proper planning. Your employer (or you, if self-employed) is legally responsible under the Control of Asbestos Regulations to ensure everyone on site is protected.
A moment of care could prevent a lifetime of harm.
For expert support to maintain the safety of your facilities, get in touch with Summit Environmental today.
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