What is Asbestos?
Asbestos doesn’t present an immediate health hazard, but once it starts to degrade or is disturbed, loose fibres are released into the air. It is when these loose fibres are inhaled that it can cause serious health issues, including fatal lung diseases. Asbestos was banned in 1999 due to the high number of related deaths it causes.
Asbestos comes in all shapes, sizes and colours. The three common types are blue, brown and white asbestos, which are found in many building products. What makes it difficult to identify is the fact that it was often mixed with other materials, often making it invisible to the naked eye.
Asbestos - What Actually Is It?
Asbestos, The Raw Material.
Asbestos is a general name given to several naturally occurring minerals that have crystallised to form fibres. These fibres are strong, heat and chemical resistant and do not dissolve in water or evaporate.
When damaged asbestos can release smaller fibres that can be breathed in or swallowed. Breathing in asbestos can lead to a condition called asbestosis that leads to an increased susceptibility to cancer. Asbestos has been classified as being carcinogenic to humans.
Asbestos In Building Materials.
Prior to use being banned, due to the risks to health following inhalation exposure, the properties of asbestos made it an ideal material for use in a number of products, including insulation material for buildings, boilers and pipes; floor tiles, insulating board to protect buildings against fire; asbestos cement for roofing sheets and pipes. It’s important to locate any asbestos in your property before you redecorate or renovate so that you can avoid causing damage which may release hazardous fibres.
What Are The Regulations & Laws Regarding Asbestos?
Within the UK there are strict regulations and laws surrounding the discovery, management and control of asbestos. These regulations are in place to protect everyone who may come in contact with it, either directly or indirectly, helping to minimise the risk of severe incidents.
Asbestos is a dangerous and hazardous waste, so it is extremely important to leave the handling of it to the experts. The only way to confirm 100% that something is asbestos is to get it tested, So if you are unsure if your material is hazardous, GET IT TESTED!
Illegal Since 1999.
The importation, supply and use of all asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999; the amphibole type has been banned since 1985. When damaged asbestos can release smaller fibres that can be breathed in or swallowed. Breathing in asbestos can lead to a condition called asbestosis that leads to an increased susceptibility to cancer. Asbestos has been classified as being carcinogenic to humans.
Discovering Asbestos.
It’s important to locate any asbestos in your property before you redecorate or renovate so that you can avoid causing damage which may release hazardous fibres. If you come across any unknown materials within your home, the guidelines state that you should always have it tested by a licensed professional before you carry on with any works.
Safe Removal & Disposal of Asbestos.
There are strict guidelines and regulations for the removal and disposal of asbestos hazardous waste, it is important to leave it to the experts. All asbestos materials must be disposed of at a licensed disposal site, and must be transported in suitable containers that prevent the fibres from being released into the air. An environmental license to carry asbestos waste is also needed.
If you’re unsure on what to do, Asbestos In Homes have the expert knowledge and experience to advise you. We will ensure the removal and disposal process is quick and safe for everyone.
How Does This Affect Me?
Most local authorities do not provide a service to remove, dispose of or transport asbestos waste materials.
Asbestos is a hazardous material that must be identified, handled, removed and disposed of safely and legally. Every homeowner has a duty of care to protect those around them from the harmful effects of asbestos.
Only specialist contractors that carry the appropriate licenses can remove, dispose and transport asbestos. Without these appropriate licenses you could face prosecution for breaking various laws.
Scenarios That May Increase My Risk.
Has your property been broken into?
Are you planning on carrying out any DIY or home renovations?
Has your home suffered from a water leak?
Are you planning on demolishing any sheds, garages or outbuildings?
These things are all likely to affect the asbestos within any materials, freeing harmful fibres and causing health risks to those in the vicinity.
Are You Having Work Carried Out At Home?
Are you a domestic client?
If you're having works carried out at home it is important to understand your duties and responsibilities under current Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
A domestic client is any individual who has construction work carried out on their home, or the home of a family member, that is not done as part of any business. While these regulations place duties on commercial clients in full, the duties for domestic clients normally pass to the contractor or principal contractor.
The Importance of a contractor / principal contractor.
As a domestic client undergoing construction work, you must follow regulations that have been put in place to keep you and your family safe. If you have appointed an architect or designer for the proposed works that involve more than one contractor you can ask them to manage the project and take on these responsibilities as a principal designer. A written agreement between the domestic client and the architect / designer, must be in place.
Throughout your project, the principal contractor or designer will ensure that all pre-construction information is relevant to the project. This information includes the health and safety file for your project, as well as an asbestos survey and structural drawings. All information must contain an appropriate level of detail and be proportionate to the nature of the risks. A professional contractor will give you this complete peace of mind.