Hidden killer warning to tradesmen

Nov 13 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ASBESTOS – the hidden killer – has killed more than 200 Kirklees people in the past 27 years.

A shock study by the Health and Safety Executive has warned tradesmen to be aware of asbestos and the risk of contracting mesothelioma, often associated with asbestos exposure.

Its figures showed that between 1981 and 2005 213 people from this area died of the disease.

The figures were revealed by the HSE today as part of its latest campaign – Asbestos: The Hidden Killer – which is running during November.

It aims to reduce the rising death rate by educating tradesmen about the dangers of asbestos.

The HSE figures showed that 2,564 people died of mesothelioma in Yorkshire and Humberside; 1,275 of these deaths were in West Yorkshire.

Kirklees had the second highest number of deaths from the disease with 213.

There were 579 deaths in Leeds, 197 in Bradford, and 131 in Calderdale.