Islington At Risk From Hidden Killer
Thursday 2nd February 2012
ISLINGTON RESIDENTS AND WORKERS AT
RISK OF EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS BY FAILURE OF PRIVATE CONTRACTOR KEIR
TO ENFORCE DISPOSAL RULES ON SUB-CONTRACTOR UNDER ITS
CONTROL
GMB want a full Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), enquiry into which companies, as a result of Kiers
actions, were not aware of the contamination
GMB want the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
to investigate the discovery that Kier, a private contractor
employed by the London Borough of Islington, has acted in a manner
to endanger people in Islington.
Kier have allowed sub-contractors working
under its control, on void properties in the borough to remove and
dispose asbestos products in ordinary refuse bins. This has led to
contamination and the exposure of residents and workers alike to
this hidden killer.
There are strict health and safety laws
covering the removal and disposal of this dangerous substance in
order to prevent contamination. In particular, The Control of
Asbestos at Work Regulations cover the management and removal of
asbestos. These require that firms are licensed by the HSE to carry
out the work. Neither the sub-contractors nor Kiers appear to
heed these laws.
The council requires all construction
contractors to use only specially qualified and approved contactors
for the safe removal of asbestos. Kier did not enforce this
requirement with the contractor under its control.
Keith Williams, GMB Organiser said,
“Deaths from asbestos related disease in
UK are around 4,000 each year and growing. As the
Dutyholder Islington Council is responsible for either conducting a
survey which identifies where the asbestos might be and the
condition it is in, or inform the main contractor, Keir on its’
need to do so.
By not preventing the sub-contractor
from using the refuse bins Kiers has allowed the bins to be
contaminated by this potentially deadly substance. This has put
Islington residents and dustmen at risk, put employees at the
refuse transfer station at risk all for the sake of a cheap
job.
GMB wants to know if the subcontractor
has a license to remove asbestos.
GMB want a full Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), enquiry into which companies, as a result of Kiers
actions, were not aware of the contamination. They need to be told
so that their workers who have come into contact are aware and can
take the necessary legal remedy. These workers could have
unknowingly taken the contamination home with them on their clothes
to their families.
GMB is calling on Islington Council to
act immediately against Keir and any other private contractor on
council work whose actions breach the safety and well being of the
public and workers alike. GMB is urging its’
members who may have been exposed as a result of this neglect to
register with the GMB asbestos exposure
register.”
Ends
Contact: Keith Williams, GMB
Organiser on 07710 631339 or Gary Doolan, GMB Islington branch
Secretary on 07973 126642 or GMB Press Office or John McClean, GMB
National health and Safety Officer on 07710 631329: Steve Pryle
07921 289880 or Rose Conroy on 07974 258123.