BBC register starts

The BBC has started an asbestos register for all those potentially exposed to fibres at Television Centre.

The register will be specific to problems in studios TC2, TC3 and TC5, and cover the period 1990 to 2005.

Those who has worked in any of these studios are being asked to get in contact with the BBC.

This covers individuals whether they where employed on the staff or on any other basis, particularly if they where involved in rigging operations.

It is unlikely that gallery-only staff who did not assist with rigging operations during the period 1990 to 2005 would have been exposed.

BECTU has been consulted throughout the process by the BBC and would urge all it's members, and any non-member, who might have been exposed, to register with the Corporation.

The union has also set up it's own industry-wide asbestos register to log all incidents of potential exposure to asbestos.

The BBC is widely publicising the register, and it's statement on the issue is reproduced below.

Public notice issued by the BBC: Asbestos at Television Centre

The BBC's Television Centre studios were constructed in the 1950's. When the studios were constructed originally, fire protection material was sprayed on the roof beams of the studios and this material contained asbestos. Over the years the bonding agent used in the spraying has been subject to some deterioration. This deterioration has recently resulted in some asbestos fibres drifting down concealed cable ducts and falling onto the wall boxes, cables, power points and studio floor. The studios affected are TC2, TC3 and TC5. It is extremely unlikely due to the design and layout of the studios that any exposure has resulted through operational activity. However, it is possible that studio technical operations e.g. rigging operations, may have potentially disturbed the areas containing asbestos materials.

The BBC acknowledges the serious risk to health caused by exposure to asbestos containing materials. Through its effective management arrangements the BBC demonstrates how it satisfies its obligations with respect to the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (CAWR 2002) controls the hazard and reduces the risk of exposure as far as is reasonably practicable.

Although the level of risk is negligible, the BBC is asking anyone who currently, or has previously worked in these studios between the period of 1990 and 2005 to register themselves with the BBC and obtain further advice.

How to Register

You can register with the BBC by using any of the following methods:

  • By calling: BBC Occupational Risk Management Advice Line on 0870 411 0464
  • Writing to: BBC Occupational Risk Management, Advice Line, BC4 C1, Broadcast Centre, Media Village, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP
  • By email to: ask.al@bbc.co.uk
You will need to provide the following information for registration:
  1. Your name and contact details
  2. Date of birth
  3. Whether you are an existing or past employee of the BBC
  4. Start and end date of employment at BBC, if applicable
  5. Position employed in i.e. job title
  6. Location of employment at BBC e.g. Studio 2, 3 or 5
Tags:
2 October 2006
Amended 13 February 2007
Amended 12 March 2007