Young tradespeople receive an important warning from 61-year-old carpenter

John Jackson is a 61-year-old carpenter who has spent his life working at a range of carpentry firms. He has also been diagnosed with mesothelioma, which he can trace back to working with asbestos in the 1960s and 70s. After discovering through the Health and Safety Executive that 20 people a week die from asbestos-related problems, he wants to get the word out to younger generations.

Mr Jackson explained:

"Most tradespeople will know the use of asbestos is illegal, however the ban only started in 1999. This means many older buildings still contain it and many younger tradespeople will not have worked directly with it and may be unfamiliar with what it looks like and where it can be found. Alarmingly it seems tradespeople are now being exposed to asbestos through a lack of training and ignorance of the dangers.

I now face an uncertain future and am concerned family members who came into contact with asbestos from my work overalls may also be at risk. My aim, whilst I am well enough, is to educate fellow carpenters and other tradespeople to the potential dangers of asbestos exposure."

He now hopes that with the help of Anglia Asbestos Support Group, sponsored locally by solicitors Ashtons Legal, he can get the word out and young tradespeople gain access to the knowledge they need to spot asbestos in its many forms and react accordingly.

Here at C&D Consultancy we share Mr Jackson's concerns, which is why we offer regular training slots for asbestos awareness. If you would like to learn more, or know a young tradesperson this training would benefit, please email Stuart who'll answer any questions you have.

Source: Norwich Evening News