Who is most at risk from asbestos at work?

Anyone working with, or near, asbestos, especially in the building industry.

Many of today's asbestos victims worked in building trades. They were carpenters, joiners, shopfitters, plumbers, electricians and demolition workers. They were exposed to asbestos dust in their day-to-day work with asbestos materials, or because work with asbestos was carried out near them. Many have worked for more than one employer where asbestos is present on site.

• If you carry out any repair or maintenance work in buildings with asbestos materials, you could be exposed to asbestos dust and breathe it in without realising it.
• Although you may be exposed only to small quantities, if this is repeated often it can build up in your lungs. You could develop an asbestos-related disease in later years.