ASBESTOS related illness claimed 60 lives in East Devon from 1981 to 2005 – the highest number in the county.
Tradesmen and women in places like Sidmouth and Ottery can take advantage of hundreds of hours of free training in a bid to tackle ignorance about Britain’s biggest industrial killer. More than 800 hours of face-to-face training in October and November has been pledged for tradesmen in the South West.
Around 2,750 people died from asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, in the region from 2000 to 2005.
It is hoped that training will help prevent it claiming another generation of tradesmen.
Free courses are available in Exeter and are aimed at those most likely to disturb asbestos fibres as they go about their work - such as joiners, electricians and plumbers. .
To sign up go to www.hse.gov.uk.
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