| Asbestos is a hidden killer. Fact. If you had said this | | | | When asbestos is left untouched, unmoved and |
| to someone 70, 50 or even 30 years ago you would | | | | un-messed around with it is relatively harmless. It is |
| have been branded a nonsense talker. It is only | | | | the lack of knowledge of those who don't recognise |
| recently that the dangers of the asbestos mineral | | | | the dangers when they work in and on the affected |
| have become apparent, with its use being totally | | | | area. Exposure will happen when builders or other |
| prohibited in 1999. But why so? Where is the danger | | | | workers disturb asbestos containing materials (ACMs) |
| and what can be done to keep yourself at bay from | | | | during maintenance, demolition or refurbishment of |
| risk? | | | | buildings. It is then that the fibres get released into |
| It may help if we understand what exactly is meant | | | | the air and get inhaled. Drilling corrugated cement |
| by "asbestos". Asbestos is a collection of six silicate | | | | roofs or removing/replacing ceiling tiles that have |
| minerals that occur naturally in nature. They were all | | | | some asbestos content is common for the release of |
| mined for commercial purposes because of their | | | | said fibres. |
| fantastic physical properties which include amazing | | | | How can this be prevented? |
| tensile strength, sound absorption, and also excellent | | | | Measures have been put into place to reduce the |
| resilience to heat, electrical and chemical damage. You | | | | chance and risks to contractors, maintenance staff |
| can see why asbestos was a favourite with builders | | | | builders and the building occupiers becoming exposed |
| and tradesmen back in the late 19th century. | | | | to asbestos fibres. In 2004 the Regulation 4 of the |
| So where is the danger? | | | | Control of Asbestos at work Regulations act came |
| The danger lies in the way the minerals are formed. | | | | into play which is there to impose a legal obligation on |
| They are formed containing long and thin fibrous | | | | owners of a non domestic building to investigate |
| crystals and it is these crystals or the inhalation of | | | | whether asbestos is present or not. If it is there then |
| asbestos fibres that can cause unforeseen serious | | | | adequate steps need to be made, such as condition |
| illnesses. Illnesses include malignant lung cancer, | | | | monitoring, having a form of control set up and |
| mesothelioma and asbestosis. Best to stay away | | | | inform anyone who could possibly be at risk. This |
| from that then. | | | | legislation is applicable to the "Duty Holder", this could |
| The danger from asbestos arises when the material | | | | be the building owner, tenant or possibly the landlord |
| is moved or damaged. Asbestos dust and fibres are | | | | if the housing premises are commercially run. |
| released into the air and provide a health risk for | | | | It is believed that regardless of said regulations being |
| anyone in the surrounding area. There is a long period | | | | put in place and having been there for more than a |
| of time from the first exposure to asbestos dust | | | | 12 months that as many as 50% of the properties |
| and the beginnings of disease which makes matters | | | | that tend to be afflicted by the laws are still yet to |
| worse as these is no immediate course of action | | | | complete their own asbestos assessment. Those |
| medication to take. This 'settling in' period of time can | | | | who fail to conform with the legislation will leave |
| be anywhere between 15 and 60 years and during | | | | themselves wide open to probable criminal |
| that time the process and disease can take a hold, | | | | prosecution by HSE inspectors. It is essential that you |
| for example asbestos can form a scar like tissue | | | | and those around you are not in danger from the |
| build-up in the lungs which could result in limited or | | | | threats that asbestos can bring. |
| even total loss of lung function. The figures today | | | | To find out if your building is in risk it is a wise idea to |
| show that deaths caused by asbestos are common | | | | complete an asbestos survey to see what ACMs are |
| place to those who were exposed during the 50s | | | | in place. Said report will also create a risk assessment |
| and 60s, with many experiencing a slow and painful | | | | to look at how likely it is that any asbestos fibres are |
| death that is mostly lung and breathing related. | | | | released. There are three different types of |
| Asbestos is responsible for over 3,500 related deaths | | | | asbestos survey, from Type 1, Type 2 and type 3 |
| per year and that figure is set to rocket to 10,000 | | | | asbestos survey all with different features, it is |
| over the next decade. | | | | important that you know what report you need. |