Asbestos the facts...
Asbestos - Be on the Alert!
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a soft mineral rock consisting of tiny fibres that can be released into the air when asbestos containing materials are cut, sawn, drilled, damaged or deteriorated. If inhaled, asbestos fibres can penetrate deep into the lungs where they can cause disease.
Is it Dangerous?
Asbestos is recognised as the greatest single cause of work-related deaths in the United Kingdom, resulting in approximately 4000 deaths each year. Although it is now illegal to use asbestos in the construction and refurbishment of buildings, in the past, it had been used extensively in the building industry where asbestos cement products (corrugated roofing, pipes), thermal insulation and fire proofing were widely employed. Much of this asbestos is still in place in buildings, therefore if not adequately managed it will continue to be an issue for many years to come.
Who is most at risk?
Persons who may inadvertently disturb asbestos containing materials while working in buildings are considered now to be most at risk from exposure to asbestos, for example, electricians, plumbers, maintenance workers, joiners, computer engineers and even cleaners. All of these jobs and trades will require to be made aware of the risks from asbestos by the provision of asbestos awareness training.
Reducing the risks?
To prevent exposure to asbestos, and as well as providing asbestos awareness training, persons in control of repairs and maintenance in premises are required by law to identify all asbestos containing materials on their premises, assess the risks from the asbestos containing material and prepare a management plan, implement the plan and to review it regularly. Asbestos awareness training and un-licensed works with asbestos training plays a major part in the HSE’s objective to reduce the number of deaths from asbestos related diseases in the future. The Asbestos Specialists can give you the training you will need to reduce your risks!
