Asbestos Deaths

According to the TUC's weekly updates issued 31 May 2005, Britain is one of the worst hit countries in the world for asbestos deaths, a global epidemic currently claiming at least one life every five minutes. Cases are so commonplace in the UK these days they only merit a few lines in local newspapers.

Inquest reports this week include a Stourbridge man who died from asbestos exposure after working as an electrician at a pig farm, where he drilled holes through the asbestos cement roof. Geoffrey Norris died aged 65 on 19 January; at Dudley Coroners Court, Black Country Coroner Robin Balmain recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease. Retired builder John Dickerson, 73, died from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma on 7 April, Derby Coroner's Court heard this week; deputy coroner Dr Turlough Farnan recorded a verdict that he died from the industrial disease of malignant mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos.

Revisions to CDM Regulations

The consultation stage of the review of the CDM regulations being orchestrated by the Health & Safety Executive is now past the half way stage.

The HSE web site is running an interesting discussion forum on its web site at consultations.hse.gov.uk.

Anyone who is a designer or is otherwise involved in the delivery of projects with a CDM input is sure to find the discussion interesting; You have until the end of July to make your views known.