THE TUC has called for a “national mission” to rid workplaces of asbestos to mark International Workers Memorial Day today.

The union organisation’s leader Paul Nowak was to demand a dedicated government programme to remove the cancerous material from public buildings and places of work, including schools and hospitals.

“We have to be honest about the scale of the challenge we face. And none is bigger than asbestos,” Mr Nowak was to say at the Health and Safety Executive headquarters in Liverpool.

He explained that it “remains the biggest occupational killer in Britain. And we have the highest rate of asbestos cancers in the world.

“Each year, more than 5,000 people die because of asbestos. That cannot be allowed to stand.

“We know that workers in our schools, hospitals and other public buildings are still being exposed to this lethal substance, every day.

“And that’s why the TUC is clear we need a fully funded, government-led programme to remove asbestos from every school and every hospital.  

“A national mission to rid our workplaces of this deadly material once and for all.

“This is not just a policy ask — it is a public health necessity. Because prevention must mean elimination of risk, not just management of it.”

The TUC general secretary was also expected to lay a wreath at the HSE headquarters today.

Calls to tackle toxic materials in the workplace came as more than 30 children’s toys were recalled after the presence of asbestos was found in Hobbycraft products.

Consumer protection group Which? called for the Office for Product Safety and Standards to take action and “ensure proper checks are being carried out to keep dangerous products off the shelves.”

Product safety minister Kate Dearden said: “We’re taking action with new measures to strengthen consumer protection and clamp down on irresponsible sellers.”