The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has upheld a complaint about radio adverts that highlighted the dangers of asbestos.

Five adverts produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned of the damage caused by exposure to asbestos.

The ASA received one complaint that the adverts led people to believe that six joiners, six electricians, three plumbers and 20 tradesmen died each week from diseases related to asbestos exposure. The complaint stated that those figures could be misleading as they were based on estimates.

The ASA ruled that the adverts should not be broadcast again in their current form and upheld the complaint.

I find it staggering that one complaint will prevent this important message from being broadcast again. Safety has to come first.

Asbestos is the biggest occupational killer of all time and all workers should be aware of the dangers it poses.