UKIP resists asbestos safety
Monday 29 October 2012
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EmailUKIP MEP Keith Helmer's claims that white asbestos was not dangerous sparked off an angry response from GMB today, writes Tony Patey.
Mr Helmer has attempted to amend a proposed motion in an EU committee on improving safety measures on exposure to deadly asbestos fibres. He wants to insert clauses claiming that white asbestos - chrysotile - is not dangerous.
But GMB regional health and safety officer for the Midlands and East Coast region Craig Stuart said this amendment flew in the face of scientific evidence.
He said the evidence comes from the World Health Organisation, United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation and the International Agency of Human Carcinogens.
Mr Stuart said: "This is not in the interests of his constituents where family members exposed to white asbestos in the course of their work have suffered in agony."
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