Cascading Messages through Others

The Effect on Awareness of, and Compliance with the Duty to Manage Asbestos Regulations

Asbestos was widely used as a building material in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid 1980s, and it is estimated that many tonnes of it are still present in buildings today.

When disturbed or damaged these materials can release dangerous fibres which when breathed in can lead to a number of serious diseases. At least 3,500 people in Great Britain die every year from these diseases, making asbestos the single greatest cause of work related fatalities.

This report presents the findings of a research project aimed at exploring the impact of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Cascading Messages Through Others Campaign.

This initiative was launched in 2002, and is designed to educate and inform dutyholders and responsible others regarding the Duty to Manage Asbestos Regulations (regulation four of the 'Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAWR) 2002') in non-domestic premises. The campaign aims to pass on information to organisations via HSE partners, who have been encouraged to put on training events for dutyholders with the support of HSE-designed training materials and activities.