Global Asbestos Awareness Week runs between the 1 and 7 April 2026 and aims to raise awareness and educate people about the dangers of asbestos. Although banned in the UK in 1999, asbestos can still be found in the fabric of many buildings and is thought to be used in many products, mixed with other materials. Workers involved in maintenance, repair, refurbishment, retrofitting, demolition and installation work stand a much greater chance of encountering asbestos.

Employers have a duty to protect workers and anyone else who could be affected by asbestos exposure. If a job could disturb the fabric of a building, asbestos must be considered before work starts and if asbestos is likely to be present, the work needs to be properly assessed, planned and carried out by people who are trained and competent for that level of work. Asbestos awareness training should be provided to relevant workers so they understand the risk and know how to avoid disturbing asbestos.

Asbestos awareness is so important as, when disturbed, the fibres become airborne and harmful; if inhaled, the fibres can attack the pleura or chest lining. One of the biggest challenges is that you cannot usually see asbestos fibres in the air, smell them or feel them on your skin or clothing. A worker can therefore be exposed without realising it at the time and it can thereafter be many years before any illness appears. It can often take 20 – 30 years for symptoms to develop.

Asbestos exposure can lead to serious diseases including asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening and mesothelioma. It is estimated that there are approximately 5000 deaths annually in the UK linked to asbestos exposure. It is the single biggest cause of work related deaths.

If you have worked with asbestos and start to suffer with one or more of the below symptoms, it is important that you seek medical advice quickly:

• Shortness of breath
• A persistent cough
• Wheezing
• Extreme fatigue
• Pain in the chest or shoulder
• Loss of appetite or sudden weight loss

If you are diagnosed with an asbestos related illness, it is important you know about the financial support you are entitled too. These include:

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits
• Workers’ Compensation Act 1979 / Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA)
• Carers Allowance
• Blue Badge

If you are diagnosed with an asbestos related illness, please contact Williamsons Solicitors on 01482 323697 for further advice and help to apply for support.