The Silent Killer – HBPW Radon Warning

More employers need to become aware of their legal requirement to inspect work areas for the ‘silent killer’, Radon Gas.

That is the stark warning from HBPW’s geoenvironmental engineer, Jay Fox, who maintains that many UK companies are still failing in their legal duty.

“Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas with no smell, taste or colour and is responsible for over 2000 lung cancer deaths a year in the UK,” said Jay. “That’s the third largest cause of lung cancer after smoking and asbestos related diseases. However, awareness of the health risks from Radon is far less widely understood.

“Risk assessment and mitigation with regards to radon is, however, already a legal requirement for employers, social landlords and property developers, and is becoming more robustly regulated. Homeowners, buying or selling property in radon affected areas may also need to deal with radon issues during conveyancing.”

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all employers are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of employees and others who access their workplace. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also requires the assessment of health and safety risks, which include Radon, under the following circumstances:

1. All workplaces located in Radon affected areas; and
2. All occupied (for more than 52 hours a year) below ground workplaces in the UK.

“The reality is that many employers don’t fully understand the risks and many are not fulfilling their legal obligations. This needs to change before there are yet more unnecessary cases of lung cancer rates.”

Jay can advise on all aspects of Risk Assessment and can be contacted on j.fox@hbpwconsulting.co.uk