WEST Devon Borough Council environmental health officers are to stage two briefings on asbestos next month to mark European Health and Safety Week.
The free seminars are aimed at those in West Devon who own, occupy, manage or have responsibility for non-domestic premises that may contain asbestos.
Nationally, more than 3,000 people die every year by breathing in air containing asbestos fibres leading to asbestos related disease, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest linings.
Ray Rattenbury, a West Devon Borough Council environmental health officer, who is organising the briefings said: 'New guidelines have been brought in about the legal duty to manage the risk from asbestos and it is vitally important that people know about it.
'We welcome anyone from the West Devon area to come along and take part in these sessions. They will learn a great deal about asbestos.'
The briefing sessions will be held on Tuesday October 14 at 2pm at the West Devon Borough Council offices in Oaklands Drive, Okehampton, and at the council offices in Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, on Wednesday October 15, also at 2pm.
The sessions will cover:
l The risk of asbestos
l Duty to manage and legal obligations
l Assessing premises for asbestos
l Recording the findings.
To book your place, contact Tracy Attwell-Bennett or Jan Winter on 01822 813600 or email your details to [email protected]">[email protected]