Why do we exist?
Asbestos is a hidden killer. It’s still prevalent and the greatest source of workplace deaths in the UK today.
We believe that by using inexpensive, easy to use technology and working with like-minded people, leading asbestos support organisations and research charities, we can improve education regarding the dangers of asbestos, reduce the number of accidental exposures and help prevent thousands of deaths from asbestos related diseases.
The facts about asbestos
- Deaths from asbestos related diseases continue to rise and have not peaked in 2010 as predicted. Over 2,700 people in the UK died from mesothelioma in 2018 out of an estimated 5,000 asbestos related deaths.
- Financial costs are rising in terms of both NHS treatments, multi-million pound claims against employers and the increasing billions set aside by insurers.
- Asbestos remains concealed in an estimated 2 million buildings and 500,000 workplaces in the UK which were built before 2000 when asbestos was finally banned.
- 75% of schools, hospitals and other public sector properties are ‘pre 2000’ buildings often containing ACMs.
- Tens of billions of pounds would be required to remove these safely. Buildings are getting older and deteriorating while budgets are getting tighter.
- Despite major refurbishments being better managed under Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 there are still many thousands of potentially deadly ACM exposures annually in UK workplaces. So in 15-40 years those exposed will also be at risk of developing asbestos related illnesses such as mesothelioma that killed a record 2,700 people in 2018.
- Ideally, all asbestos would be removed but at a cost of tens of billions of pounds this won’t happen quickly.
- Rightly, the government and employers are under increased pressure to take positive action. If asbestos is not to be removed it’s critical that it’s effectively managed at a reasonable cost. There is an increasing need for employers and dutyholders to demonstrate that this is the case.
- People should not be running the risk of potentially fatal exposure to asbestos fibres through ignorance or ineffective risk management as is still the case thousands of times per year in the UK.
The challenges of managing asbestos in situ
Watch our short video to listen to UKNAR CEO and Co-founder Andrew Paten speak about:
The 7 Biggest Challenges of Managing Asbestos in Situ.
Click here to watch