Page 3 - A National Asbestos Strategy

FOREWORD
It is a natural human instinct to protect ourselves from harm, as well as the people we love
and care for. For decades, this basic instinct has been guiding and motivating thousands of
patients and carers across the UK to push the Government to take action that will finally
put an end to the ongoing loss of lives from asbestos exposure. As patients and carers, we
know that the suffering and loss are needless and preventable. But, it needs the will and
cooperation of the Government, the regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and
the asbestos industry to ultimately rid the UK of asbestos.
In 2022, we were heartened by the Work and Pensions Select Committee Inquiry into the HSE’s
management of asbestos and its two core recommendations: the need for a central asbestos
register and a long-term removal plan over 40 years. By 2025, we were encouraged by the HSE’s
shift from claiming asbestos is safe in situ to recognising the importance of understanding its
risks and the need for complete removal of asbestos from buildings, and the need to build the
ecosystem for this - “a workforce that is qualified to work with asbestos” with improved disposal
facilities for this deadly carcinogen.
Asbestos Information CIC (Community Interest Company), is another significant step towards
protecting the public, preventing exposure, and finally eradicating asbestos. We are delighted to
see a collective of accredited industry professionals working together on a project to rationalise
the method of recording and assessing the condition of asbestos materials. This project is a robust
‘proof of concept’ for a national asbestos database with the collation and analysis of millions of
lines of asbestos survey data. Mapping this data locally identifies asbestos risks and provides a
‘performance certificate’ for buildings, crucial for safeguarding workers and the public. It also aids
in prioritising and planning the safe removal of asbestos in the UK, focusing on the highest risks
first.
In 2025, we, as patients and carers, are growing more hopeful that the UK will have a coherent
national strategy on asbestos that protects the public from harm and makes the nation
asbestos-free. In this spirit, we commend this report by Asbestos Information CIC on their crucial
groundbreaking project. We now look to see collaboration and commitment from the Government,
HSE, and the asbestos industry to take this work further, and we will continue to lend support to
every effort to protect the public and rid us of asbestos. Lastly, we are truly thankful to everyone
who has been steadfast in raising their voice, participating in meetings, asking the important
questions, pushing for change and taking the initiative to make progress. Let’s keep going.
Patients & Carers
www.asbestosinformation.org.uk
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