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NEW asbestos exposure checks for thousands of former naval helicopter repair staff are not good enough, the Unite union has warned.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has published new advice for the estimated 1,000 workers who risked exposure to asbestos while maintaining the navy’s fleet of Sea King helicopters.
Both veterans and civilian employees “may wish” to complete a MoD form if they believe that they could have been exposed to the harmful material, the advice says.
However, Unite criticised the MoD for not being more active in tracking down potentially affected workers.
Unite regional officer Caren Evans said: “It still doesn’t go far enough, as the onus is still on ex-employees, contractors and civilian and military personnel to contact the MoD.
“The MoD has a duty of care to all current and ex-employees – and at the moment, it is abdicating that responsibility.
“This makes it imperative that the MoD steps up its efforts, including national advertising, to track down former employees so they can be screened for asbestos that can develop over many years.”
The union has launched an online register for members to record where they have been exposed to asbestos.