BBC paid out compensation for 11 asbestos-related deaths
The BBC has paid £1.64m in damages over the deaths of former staff, all of who died from cancer following working in buildings with asbestos.
The Observer revealed all 11 staff died from mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos.
Around 18 locations were named across the UK including Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham, Dickenson Road Studios in Manchester, Broadcasting House in central London and Television Centre in White City.
Following an FOI request by the Observer, the BBC admitted it had paid £1,637,501 in compensation over the last decade to settle claims involving nine men and two women. The unnamed former staff worked for the BBC between 1959 and 1998. They worked as make-up artists, engineers, riggers, set builders, managers and producers.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the external lining of the lung and the lining of the lower digestive tract. There are 2,700 cases diagnosed a year and many cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage as symptoms are typically non-specific and appear late.
It is almost always fatal and often fatal within twelve months after symptoms begin.
Males who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively in the past continue to be most at risk of mesothelioma.
CEO of Mesothelioma UK, Liz Darlison said: “Many people don’t realise that 95% of our hospitals and 85% of our schools still contain some asbestos and that asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that causes mesothelioma.
“It’s a dreadful disease. Over half of people die within a year of being diagnosed – an appalling statistic.”
For men, the highest rates of cases from 1981-2019 were seen in the North West, North East, South East and Scotland. There was an increase in the standardised mortality ratio over this same period for the West Midlands, East Midlands and Wales. Whilst these regions had the lowest rates for the period as a whole, as time has progressed cases have increased relatively rapidly in comparison to the rest of Great Britain.
The BBC said to The Observer: “It is not possible to confirm whether the individuals were exposed to asbestos while working at BBC locations and, if so, over what period that exposure may have occurred.
“We would like to extend our continued sympathies to the families of all those affected.
“The health and safety of BBC staff and all that use BBC buildings is a primary concern. The BBC manages asbestos in accordance with applicable regulations and statutory requirements.”
Sources:
The Guardian
HSE
