About Asbestos

Any building constructed prior to 2000 is believed to include an ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) of 1 kind or a further. They are found in schools, hospitals, factories, public buildings even domestic properties, so asbestos has woven itself into our lives, but largely unseen.

The properties and versatility of asbestos created it an excellent building material. As a decent thermal insulator it has been used to lag pipes and protect structural steelwork. It is also an excellent electrical insulating material and its high tensile strength has been used to give that strength to a wide range of other products such as gaskets. The lengthy flexible fibres have been woven into cloth and rope used for fire protection and sealing of joints.

Add to all this the reality that it is very resilient and does not degrade it is not surprising it was used so widely. But, regrettably it can also be deadly! Sizeable numbers of individuals are now dying from past exposure to asbestos and will continue to do so unless action is taken.

If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic premises which may include asbestos you have a legal duty to manage the risk from this material.

There are 3 primary types of asbestos nevertheless found in premises right now. These are commonly referred to as 'blue asbestos' (crocidolite), 'brown asbestos' (amosite) and 'white asbestos' (chrysotile). All of them are hazardous, but blue and brown asbestos' are significantly more hazardous than white, but regrettably you cannot determine them by their colour.

Though it is now illegal to use asbestos in the construction or refurbishment of any premises, many thousands of tonnes of it were used in the past and a lot of it is nevertheless in place. As lengthy as it is in decent situation and is not getting or going to be disturbed or damaged there is no risk. But if it is disturbed or damaged, it can turn out to be a danger to health, due to the fact asbestos fibres are released into the air and individuals can breathe them in.

Up to 1,500,000 commercial, industrial and public buildings in the UK are likely to include asbestos materials. Unless this material is correctly managed anyone who has access to the buildings, including staff, the public and building/maintenance workers is at risk from breathing in the life-threatening fibres of asbestos.

An asbestos survey is now needed due to new law legislation and is very advisable for the health and security of a workforce, friends or loved ones.

 

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