Postal Asbestos Fails to get the Vote
Postal Asbestos fails to get the Vote The TUC Bulletin reports (28 Nov 06) that Royal Mail union CWU has called for an end to the potentially illegal use of the mail to send asbestos samples, a practice which could place both the public and postal workers at risk.
Royal Mail has launched an investigation after it was revealed a South Wales company was encouraging the public to take their own asbestos samples and stick them in the post. The instructions from Asbestos Watchdog, a company whose sole director is John Bridle, were removed this week from the firm's website. Members of the public are now told to contact the firm for details of its sampling service.
Mr Bridle has been criticised recently both in court and in the media. A BBC investigation last month revealed his CV contained false claims about his qualifications and main clients. He was successfully prosecuted by Vale of Glamorgan Council under the Trades Descriptions Act for making false claims about his asbestos qualifications, resulting in a criminal conviction.
CWU says other asbestos-by-post organisations are offering 'self testing kits' for £100. Dave Joyce, the union's national health and safety officer said he had called on Royal Mail to 'examine whether Mr Bridle and his company 'Asbestos Watchdog' are committing offences under Section 85(1) of the Postal Services Act 2000, which prohibits the posting of items which can harm postal workers or the public and I have additionally asked the asbestos policy unit of the Health and Safety Executive to consider whether the company has breached Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act which places duties on employers and the self-employed to ensure their activities do not endanger anybody.'
 Internet Link: http://www.arcaweb.org.uk/ARCA_news1024_detailed.asp?News_Ref=129
Key Changes in the Control of asbestos removal
The HSE have published a summary of key changes in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and associated approved code of practice L143
Click here to download the full report: http://www.arcaweb.org.uk/ARCA_news1024_detailed.asp?News_Ref=125
BBC 4 On Wednesday 18th October the BBC Radio 4 programme "You and Yours" broadcast an item on Asbestos Watchdog.
A look at the man behind the campaign Two of the UK’s biggest house builders have been using an asbestos surveyor who is carrying out analysis which the Health and Safety Executive say is illegal. His opinion on one form of asbestos is contrary to the Government, the EU, The World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation. The chairman of the commons occupational safety and health group says he should be stopped. Shari Vahl Reports.
Internet Link: http://www.arcaweb.org.uk/ARCA_index1024.asp |
