ASBESTOS QUESTIONNAIRE RELAUNCHED

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2011 :: RMTnews 27 T he risk of exposure to asbestos faced by members working in the transport industry has resulted in the relaunch of the RMT’s asbestos register by the union and Thompsons. This is a national initiative to record details of members who believe they have been exposed to the lethal dust through their work. Asbestos is a hidden danger that exists in the structure of buildings, vehicles and equipment across the sectors in which RMT members work. Exposure to asbestos can lead to a number of different types of lung disease. The most serious is mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer which is only known to be caused by asbestos. It is incurable and normally proves fatal. Mesothelioma, like other less serious forms of asbestos disease, can take between 20 to 50 years or more to develop after the asbestos fibres have been inhaled into the lungs. One member for whom Thompsons successfully recovered compensation was employed by British Rail from the 1950s as an electrician’s mate. Tunnels and pipes were lagged with asbestos and open bags of it were left at the old entrance to a station where he spent time working, so the fibres were blown around him. Another former British Rail worker who worked at a London docks from the 1960s was exposed when unloading bags of asbestos which were bound for the Cape Asbestos Factory in Barking, Essex. A Transport for London labourer, who worked his way up to become a fitter’s mate and to work in the plant shop had to carry out maintenance on pipes which were lagged with asbestos. And a former signalman and guard was exposed to asbestos which was used to lag pipes in the engine and the sides of the coal fire in the break van. Other members whose claims have been settled by Thompsons include a train examiner exposed to asbestos in the train casements, a cable jointer who had to drill asbestos sheets and an apprentice fitter who carried out maintenance in a workshop where train frames and casements were sprayed with asbestos. The RMT questionnaire will collect information on past employment where there may have been exposure to asbestos in order to create a permanent, structured database of information that can help to speed up the process of obtaining compensation for members who develop asbestos disease. The database records the names of members, their current and previous employers, the workplaces where they came into contact with asbestos and the relevant dates. It is important to remember that not everyone who has been exposed to asbestos develops an asbestos related disease. However, for those who do develop a disease, the effects can be devastating. Preserving the information about exposure on a database will enable the RMT and its solicitors to identify witnesses who worked in the same place at the same time to obtain evidence in support of members’ claims – now and in the future. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos in your current or a former workplace anywhere in the UK and at any time in the past, no matter how long ago, you should complete the asbestos register questionnaire which can be obtained from the RMT website (www.rmt.org.uk) or from the RMT personal injury helpline 0800 376 3706. Please return your completed form to ‘Asbestos’ RMT Questionnaire, Thompsons Solicitors, 23 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4ER Members who registered their details on the previous RMT asbestos register can be assured that their information will be retained. If you are not sure if you did register your details, please do so again now. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS ASBESTOS QUESTIONNAIRE RELAUNCHED Head of asbestos policy at Thompsons Solicitors Ian McFall explains why the union is relaunching an asbestos questionnaire and database