Community is proud to join the National Asbestos Taskforce, a coalition of trade unions, industry leaders, charities and campaigners united by one vital goal: removing asbestos from the UK’s built environment.
Every year, thousands of workers die from preventable occupational ill health. Despite being banned in 1999, asbestos remains the UK’s leading cause of work-related death.
More than six million tonnes of asbestos remain in UK buildings, including schools, hospitals, industrial workplaces and public facilities. As these buildings age, workers face serious exposure risks during routine maintenance and everyday work.
In 2023, mesothelioma caused 2,218 deaths, while thousands more were linked to asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis. Although often dismissed as a legacy issue affecting only older industrial workers, the threat is changing:
- Deaths are rising among women and younger people.
- Teachers, nurses, office staff and public sector workers face increasing risks as ageing infrastructure deteriorates.
As a member of the National Asbestos Taskforce board, Community will champion the case for a government-mandated, phased programme to remove all asbestos from UK buildings, beginning with damaged and high-risk materials.
Together with our board partners, we are working towards a clear goal: a future in which no worker or Community member is harmed by preventable asbestos exposure.
Welcoming Community’s appointment to the Taskforce, Health and Safety Officer Darren Pigott said:
“Joining the National Asbestos Taskforce is a vital step towards improving worker safety across the UK. It is unacceptable that more than six million tonnes of this deadly material remain in public and private buildings, exposing maintenance staff, teachers, nurses and office workers to daily risk.
“Community is proud to serve on the board and champion a mandatory, phased removal plan. We look forward to working with our coalition partners to ensure that no worker or community member is harmed by preventable asbestos exposure.”
Community is proud to work alongside union partners including the TUC, NEU, CWU and the Society of Radiographers, as well as industry bodies and victim support groups such as Mesothelioma UK and Airtight on Asbestos.
On the Taskforce board, we will represent Community members, advance key priorities and hold decision-makers accountable for making workplaces and public spaces safe for future generations.
We will share further updates on the Taskforce’s priorities and legislative work.
Help us fight asbestos by becoming a Health & Safety Rep
Asbestos is not a problem of the past; it remains a serious danger in today’s workplaces. While Community campaigns for legislative change, we also need people on the ground to help keep workplaces safe now. As a Community Health and Safety Representative, you will receive full training and support to inspect your workplace, identify hazards and protect your colleagues.
© Community Trade Union 2026
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If you have any further queries, please contact our Service Centre Department on 0800 389 6332 or at servicecentre@community-tu.org.
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