Latest strikes by RMT and ASLEF unions force train operator Northern to advise customers 'Do Not Travel' on 3 separate dates in October

STRIKES by the RMT and ASLEF unions in October have forced the train operator Northern to advise its customers across the North of England 'Do Not Travel' on 3 separate dates.

Action taking place on Saturday, 1 October and Wednesday, 5 October 2022, will mean Northern cannot operate any services on those days. Meanwhile, action on Saturday, 8 October 2022 is expected to bring all but a handful of services to a halt, with Northern still working on a skeleton timetable to be published in due course.

Given the impact strikes have on fleet displacement, Northern is also advising customers to:- "check before you travel" on Sunday, 2 October and Sunday, 9 October 2022, when services cannot start until much later in the morning.

For more information, Northern's customers should visit:- NorthernRailway.Co.UK/Strikes.

Tricia Williams, Chief Operating Officer at Northern, said:- "This is the 4th 'Do Not Travel' notice we have been forced to issue this summer due to strike action by the trade unions. We apologise in advance for the significant disruption and inconvenience this action by the RMT and ASLEF unions will cause to our customers. As we have previously pledged, we will continue to work towards a resolution to this issue with the hope of avoiding more disruptive strikes in the future."

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK. Ordinarily, they would operate nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

Mesothelioma Awareness Day - 39% of Liverpool tradespeople encounter asbestos every year

NEW research has found that 39% of tradespeople in Liverpool are exposed to asbestos every single year. Ahead of Mesothelioma Awareness Day, 26 September 2022, an event aiming to bring more attention to the dangers of asbestos, ElectricalDirect surveyed trade workers from across the nation to see how often they encounter it, and the impact this has on their health. The study found that 50% of tradespeople in Liverpool have come across asbestos; the fibre like material once used for insulation; in their working lives. This has serious consequences, with 28% having had symptoms of an asbestos related disease, or knowing a colleague who has.

Tradespeople are amongst the most at risk workers of asbestos related diseases, and across all industries, the majority are exposed to the potentially lethal material on a regular basis. 60% find it every year, 35% say every month, and 8% come face to face with asbestos every day.

Tragically, 5% know someone who has died of such a condition, and every week, 20 tradespeople deaths are attributed to asbestos. Some trades are more likely to be exposed than others, and so should be particularly cautious. Almost every carpenter (95%) questioned had some history with asbestos, and bricklayers (88%) are a close 2nd.

The trades that are most likely to encounter asbestos are:- With such severe consequences, it's important that tradespeople know the warning signs of the diseases, and consult a Doctor straight away if any appear.

Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi, the digital healthcare provider, says that asbestosis causes a range of symptoms, including:-

► Persistent cough.

► Shortness of breath.

► Wheezing.

► Pain in the chest or shoulder.

► Tiredness Swollen or 'clubbed' fingertips.

However, ElectricalDirect's research found that the majority of UK tradespeople are unaware of these symptoms. When asked to identify the signs of asbestosis, 64% failed to select a persistent cough, and 55% didn't pick out shortness of breath.

Dr Rhianna explains what abestosis is:- "Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by breathing in large amounts of asbestos dust for a long time. The asbestos gets lodged in the lungs causing scarring around the air sacs (alveoli), which means oxygen can't reach the bloodstream easily. The scarring leads to the lungs hardening, making it more difficult to breathe because the lungs cannot hold as much air as they used to."

Dr Rhianna explains addsed that what the causes of Asbestosis is:- "The condition is caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, a material used in the past for cement, insulation, car parts, and some roof and floor tiles. The fibres in asbestos break down into little pieces when they're damaged, released into the air and then breathed in. These fibres get stuck in the lungs, and over a long time, can cause permanent lung damage."

Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said:- "Despite being banned in the UK in 1999, asbestos is a still a real issue in the industry, and it's awful that so many tradespeople die from related diseases every year. Some people might not experience symptoms for decades after their exposure to the material, so it's important that individuals remain vigilant, and see a doctor immediately if they spot any signs."

To read ElectricalDirect's full Asbestos and the Trades: 2022 report, including what to do if you encounter asbestos at work, and the treatment options for those who spot symptoms, visit:- ElectricalDirect.Co.UK.

Further information about future strikes including that announced for 8 October 2022 will be made available in due course.