Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show asbestos related deaths are on the rise in the UK.

The figures revealed more than 35,000 people died from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma between 1977 and 2007.

And the numbers dying are increasing, with the latest annual figures showing 2,156 people died from the disease in 2007 alone, up 5% on the previous year.

However, earlier this year another campaign by the HSE was rapped by advertising watchdog the Advertising Standards Agency after a complaint about comparing road and asbestos related deaths was upheld.

The HSE’s asbestos programme director , Steve Coldrick, said: “Sadly there is nothing we can do to stem the tragic loss of workers who were exposed to asbestos in years gone by.

“But we can listen to their stories – and the one thing we hear time and again from older workers is that they were never told about the risks of working with asbestos.

“With this campaign we can educate today’s workforce about the risks and what action they need to take to protect themselves from this deadly dust.”

More about the campaign, which will feature radio and newspapers ads, can be found by clicking here.

Luke Walsh

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