|
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral which has been mined over the years because of its beneficial properties in particular its resistance to heat and thermal insulation properties.
There are three principal types of asbestos - chrysotile or white asbestos (the most commonly used type), crocidolite or blue asbestos (often used in sprayed form as insulation), and amosite or brown asbestos (often used in pipe lagging ands asbestos insulating board).
Back to top
Why is asbestos so dangerous?
The fibres in asbestos - which are made up of needle-like crystals can, if breathed in, get into the lung tissue and may even pierce the lung to scrape against the chest wall, causing inflammation of the outer lung lining and inside of the lung causing disease, which can be fatal.
Currently around 1.5 million commercial buildings in the UK are believed to contain asbestos materials; this does not include public buildings such as hospitals or schools.
Back to top
What materials or equipment are likely to contain asbestos?
Asbestos has at one time been added to ALL manufactured building products among the most common are sprayed insulation; Thermal Pipe & Boiler lagging, Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB), bitumen felts; mastics, putty & sealants; reinforced plastics; ropes, cloth & yarn; : cement products, profile sheets, guttering, down pipes, Heat pads; floor tiles; textured coatings; paper & cardboard; Flash guards & fuses in electrical systems. It was even used in gas masks, cigarette filters and artificial snow!
Older appliances such as safes, fume cupboards, washing machines, cookers and hair dryers may also contain asbestos.
Back to top
What are the legal obligations on me as a building owner regarding asbestos?
Removing asbestos from all buildings is impractical and unnecessary, and the legislation recognises this. Instead, there is an obligation on the owner or landlord to ‘manage’ the buildings for which he has responsibility. This may involve commissioning an Asbestos Survey. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAR 2006) in Particular Reg 4 gives specific guidance on who the duty holder is for buildings and how asbestos should be managed.
Briefly, the duty holder needs to find out if, where, in what quantities and condition asbestos materials are present within the building. A written plan must then be prepared detailing how the asbestos materials will be managed, this should be implemented, reviewed and updated on a regular basis. All those that need to know - employees, contractors and emergency services - should be informed of the plan.
Shield Environmental Services can help guide you through your obligations and recommend cost-effective action to ensure that you manage any asbestos you have cost effectively & safely.
Back to top
Do I have to train my employees?
If any of your employees are involved in construction, maintenance or repair of the building fabric the must have undertaken ‘Asbestos Awareness’ training as required by CAR 2006.
Back to top
What should you do if you wish to demolish or refurbish a building?
A type 3 Full Access survey to MDHS 100 standard must be undertaken; this has to be completed as part of the Pre-tender information pack (CDM 2007 & CAR 06) on behalf of the client, this must be given to any contractor who you invite to tender for the work as part of the tendering process.
Back to top
Asbestos removal? What’s involved?
Asbestos removal is one of the ‘Licensed’ industries in the UK along with Nuclear and Explosives and is an extremely specialised and skilled occupation. Asbestos removal must only be undertaken by companies which are licensed and fully qualified to do so. There are penalties if you, as a building owner or landlord, fail to appoint an organisation with the compulsory credentials.
Back to top
Where does the Asbestos Waste go?
All asbestos waste is double bagged, first in a red bag, highlighting that it is a hazardous material, and then in a clear bag. It is transported via a sealed vehicle to a landfill site licensed by the Environment Agency for the disposal of hazardous waste, including asbestos. This is done in compliance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 under the Waste Consignment note system and our Duty of Care.
Back to top
Click here to download the Asbestos leaflet (2mb pdf)
|
