On Tuesday 29 April 2025, UKATA hosted a powerful and thought-provoking webinar, “Gaza: The Latest Disaster,” presented by internationally recognised asbestos expert and UKATA Director, Professor Roger Willey.
The session addressed the critical issue of asbestos contamination in Gaza, where tonnes of asbestos-contaminated rubble now pose severe risks to health and the environment. Professor Willey drew on his 47 years of experience in hazardous materials and asbestos regulation to outline the scale of the problem, drawing comparisons to other major global disasters and highlighting the urgent need for coordinated international action.The situation of asbestos exposure in Gaza was recently covered by the BBC, where they reported “In Gaza, it is found primarily in asbestos roofing used across the territory's eight urban refugee camps - which were set up for Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948-49 Arab-Israeli war - according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In October 2024, UNEP estimated that up to 2.3 million tons of rubble across Gaza could be contaminated with asbestos”.
Hosted by Kelly-Anne Smith, Marketing and Events Coordinator at UKATA, the event attracted attendees from across the health and safety, environmental, and humanitarian sectors.
Kelly-Anne Smith expressed, “We were honoured to have Professor Willey deliver such a compelling and informative session. The level of engagement during the live Q&A showed just how important this topic is to so many professionals and organisations.”
Roger Willey’s insights left attendees with a deeper understanding of both the technical and human aspects of the crisis.
The webinar forms part of UKATA’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness around asbestos risks worldwide and providing free, accessible education on critical issues facing the industry and beyond.
For those who missed the live session, the recording is available here: Webinars - UKATA
For more information on future events or to access resources from the webinar, please contact Kelly-Anne Smith at Kelly-anne.smith@ukata.org.uk
UKATA, a leading association, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and standards of asbestos training with the aim to shield workers and the public from the hazards of asbestos exposure.
The association collaborates closely with its members to guarantee that they have access to the latest information, training resources, and industry updates. They provide a suite of support services to assist them in accomplishing their training objectives. Their membership encompasses a diverse array of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers.
UKATA is fervent about promoting safe and responsible working practices, committed to working with members and partners to realise a shared vision of protecting workers and the public from the hazards linked with asbestos exposure.
Published on Tuesday 29th April 2025