The 100-plus workers, who are members of the Unite union, are employed in repairs and maintenance roles for Magenta Living, which manages 13,000 properties mainly covering the Wirral.

Magenta Living has imposed a change of policy when dealing with asbestos. Previously, the workforce was trained to stop work when they identified asbestos. If it required removal, specialist contractors were employed. Under the new policy, Unite said the workers are expected to work with asbestos.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The actions of Magenta Living are deplorable. It is trying to force our members to undertake work they are not properly trained for, which risks their lives and that of tenants.

“Unite never takes a backward step when it comes to ensuring the safety of its workers and our members at Magenta will receive the union’s complete support.”

Peace talks, aimed at reversing Magenta Living’s decision to force staff to work with asbestos have broken down, the union added.

The workers will begin strike action on Monday 6 February for a week and then will be on strike every other week, with the final week of the initial industrial action due to begin on Monday 17 April. In total, the workers are due to take 30 days of strike action

The strike action will result in tenants of Magenta Living experiencing severe delays in repairs and maintenance.

There were over 5,000 deaths due to exposure to asbestos in 2020. This includes over 2,500 from mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lung caused by being exposed to asbestos. Construction workers are now the group at greatest risk of being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was not finally banned in the UK until 2000 and many of the homes built before that date contain the substance.

Unite regional officer John Sheppard said: “Strike action will inevitably lead to severe delays and disruption to tenants’ homes. However this industrial action is being taken as a last resort as Magenta Living is introducing policies that risk the lives of its staff and tenants.

“Magenta Living has been given every opportunity to resolve this dispute through negotiations but it has refused to do so.”

A spokesperson for Magenta Living told Scottish Housing News: “This is a dispute relating to health and safety working practices when dealing with low-risk asbestos materials and follows consultation with the Trade Union on this issue for over two years. We see customer and colleague safety as a priority and have developed robust procedures with an independent industry expert who has confirmed this is the safest way of working around low-risk asbestos materials.

“These procedures follow Health and Safety Executive guidance, and we believe they mirror industry best practice widely adopted across the housing sector and amongst the construction industry nationwide. We have also employed an industry specialist to help address the perceived risk amongst our workforce including more advanced training.

“We are deeply saddened that this strike action is planned despite us continuing to hold discussions throughout this week with the offer of additional remuneration, further training, help and support.

“We want to assure our customers that all emergency and urgent repair requests will be dealt with in the usual way when they phone our 24/7 Contact Centre.”