Trade Unionist Protests Over Campaign Funding

last updated at 15:04, Tuesday, 28 June 2011

A BARROW trade union chief has written to the government urging them to reinstate funding for a lifesaving campaign.

COUNCILLOR BOB POINTER

The Health and Safety Executive ended its Hidden Killer campaign, which focused on the dangers of asbestos in the workplace, after the government cut its funding by a third.

Councillor Bob Pointer, who is a co-founder of the Barrow Asbestos-Related Diseases Support (Bards) group and secretary of Barrow Trades Union Council, sent a letter to Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith in protest at the funding cut.

In the letter he highlighted the importance of raising awareness of Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions.

Mr Pointer said: “I ask that you reconsider the ill-thought-out decisions and restore funding to the HSE to enable them to carry out their role in providing a safe working environment for all.

“There is a need to reinstate funding for the Hidden Killer campaign which has enabled those in construction and maintenance to be made fully aware of the dangers.”

Cllr Pointer received a reply from Craig Bell, head of Asbestos delivery and policy unit, at the HSE.

Mr Bell said: “The HSE is very conscious of the importance of preventing exposure to asbestos and the part that awareness raising plays in this.

“HSE remains committed to communicating asbestos safety messages to dutyholders and workers and we are considering how to build upon the success of Hidden Killer.”

Mr Bell said the organisation was still committed to protecting workers.

Cllr Pointer said he was considering the reply from mr Bell, and that he would continue to highlight the dangers of asbestos.

He said: “Someone’s health and safety is of the utmost importance. I think the government have got to maintain the momentum that this campaign achieved to ensure that workers, especially younger people, are aware of the dangers.”

first published at 13:11, Tuesday, 28 June 2011 Published by nwemail.co.uk

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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN' 'http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd'><html><head><title>Azoomed - Submit Your Articles - Become an Expert In Your Niche | Trade Unionist Protests Over Campaign Funding</title></head><body><h3>Trade Unionist Protests Over Campaign Funding</h3> By: Editorial Staff last updated at 15:04, Tuesday, 28 June 2011 A BARROW trade union chief has written to the government urging them to reinstate funding for a lifesaving campaign. COUNCILLOR BOB POINTER The Health and Safety Executive ended its Hidden Killer campaign, which focused on the dangers of asbestos in the workplace, after the government cut its funding by a third. Councillor Bob Pointer, who is a co-founder of the Barrow Asbestos-Related Diseases Support (Bards) group and secretary of Barrow Trades Union Council, sent a letter to Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith in protest at the funding cut.In the letter he highlighted the importance of raising awareness of Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions.Mr Pointer said: “I ask that you reconsider the ill-thought-out decisions and restore funding to the HSE to enable them to carry out their role in providing a safe working environment for all. “There is a need to reinstate funding for the Hidden Killer campaign which has enabled those in construction and maintenance to be made fully aware of the dangers.”Cllr Pointer received a reply from Craig Bell, head of Asbestos delivery and policy unit, at the HSE.Mr Bell said: “The HSE is very conscious of the importance of preventing exposure to asbestos and the part that awareness raising plays in this.“HSE remains committed to communicating asbestos safety messages to dutyholders and workers and we are considering how to build upon the success of Hidden Killer.”Mr Bell said the organisation was still committed to protecting workers.Cllr Pointer said he was considering the reply from mr Bell, and that he would continue to highlight the dangers of asbestos.He said: “Someone’s health and safety is of the utmost importance. I think the government have got to maintain the momentum that this campaign achieved to ensure that workers, especially younger people, are aware of the dangers.” first published at 13:11, Tuesday, 28 June 2011 Published by nwemail.co.uk have your say Be the first to comment on this article! Make your comment<a href="http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/trade-unionist-protests-over-campaign-funding-1.852397?referrerPath=/evening-mail-news-round-up-1.118665">Trade unionist protests over campaign funding</a> Article Courtesy of <a href='http://www.azoomed.com'>Azoomed - Submit Your Articles - Become an Expert In Your Niche</a> 
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