Asbestos

Information

Why is Asbestos so dangerous?

Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year, this is higher than the number of people killed on the road each year.
Around 20 Tradesmen die each week as a result of past exposure.

However, Asbestos is not just a problem of the past. It can be present today in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000.-->

When materials that contain Asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases.--> These diseases will not affect you immediately; they often take a long time to develop, but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything.--> This is why it is important that you protect yourself now.-->

Am I at Risk?

Workers involved in refurbishment, maintenance and other similar trades, could be at risk of exposure to Asbestos during their work. This includes:-->

  • Heating and Ventilation Engineers
  • Demolition Workers
  • Carpenters & Joiners
  • Plumbers
  • Electricians
  • Roofing Contractors
  • Painters and Decorators
  • Plasterers
  • Construction Workers
  • Fire & Burglar Alarm Installers
  • Cable Layers
  • Shop Fitters
  • Gas Fitters
  • Computer & Data installers
  • General Maintenance Staff e.g. Caretaker
  • Telecommunication Engineers
  • Architects, building Surveyors, and other such professionals

When am I most at risk?

You are most at risk when:

  • The building you are working on was built before the year 2000
  • You are working on an unfamiliar site
  • Asbestos containing materials were not identified before the job was started
  • Asbestos containers materials were identified but information of this was not passed on to those working
  • You haven't done a risk assessment
  • You don't know how to recognise and work safely with Asbestos
  • You have not had appropriate information, instruction and training
  • You know how to safely work with Asbestos but choose not to work responsibly and correctly, putting yourself at risk

Remember!!

  • You CANNOT see or smell Asbestos fibres in the air
  • The effects of being exposed to Asbestos takes many years to show up - avoid breathing it in now
  • People who smoke and are exposed to Asbestos are more likely to develop lung cancer
  • Asbestos is only a danger when fibres are made airborne and breathed in
  • As long as the Asbestos is in good condition and it is located somewhere where it can't be easily damaged, then it shouldn't be a risk to you

Non-Licensable Work, including notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW)

Workers who may need this level of information, instruction and training include those listed under the Asbestos awareness topic on the previous page and whose work will require them to disturb Asbestos-containing materials such as:

  • Drilling holes in Asbestos materials (including for sampling and analysis purposes)
  • Laying cables in areas containing undamaged Asbestos materials
  • Removing Asbestos-containing floor tiles
  • Cleaning or repairing Asbestos cement sheet roofing or cladding

The information, instruction and training for non-licensable work with Asbestos, including NNLW, should cover the following:

  • How to make suitable and sufficient assessments about the risk of exposure to Asbestos
  • Safe work practices & control measures, including an explanation of the correct use of control measures, protective equipment and work methods
  • Selection and appropriate use of protective equipment
  • Waste Handling Procedures
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Relevant legal requirements
  • Circumstances when non-licensed work may be notifiable.

Licensable Work with Asbestos

Most work with higher risk Asbestos-containing materials must be carried out by licensed contractors. Only competent workers and managers, provided with suitable information, instruction and training and using appropriate respiratory and other protective equipment, may undertake licensed Asbestos work. Further information on providing information, instruction and training for licensable work can be found in the Licensed Contractors' Guide HSG 247 and the Approved Code of Practice L 143 Managing and Working with Asbestos.