Asbestos
This section provides information and advice about the dangers, managing and removal of asbestos
If you own, manage or have responsibilities for a workplace building which may contain asbestos, you need to think about the risk of exposure to workers and others who may use the building.
You need to be able to identify, assess and manage any asbestos materials on your premises.
Asbestos - The Dangers
Breathing in air containing asbestos dust can lead to asbestos-related diseases, primarily cancers of the chest and lungs.
The number of deaths from asbestos-related diseases is expected to continue to rise from the current estimate of 3,000 per year.
There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases. There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos dust and the onset of disease of between 15-60 years.
Blue (crocidolite) and brown (amosite) asbestos are known to be more hazardous than white (chrysotile). In general the more asbestos dust inhaled, the greater the risk to health.
It is now thought possible that repeated low level exposures, such as could occur during routine repair work, may also lead to asbestos induced cancers.
So electricians, plumbers, building maintenance workers, shopfitters and carpenters may still be at risk when carrying out refurbishment, repairs etc. on buildings which contain asbestos.
Where is Asbestos found in Buildings?
- Sprayed/loose packed asbestos - e.g. as fire breaks in ceiling voids.
- Sprayed coatings and laggings - e.g. insulation of pipework
- Sprayed asbestos & cement mixture - fire protection
- Insulating boards - fire protection, thermal insulation
- Some ceiling tiles
- Asbestos board/paper products in electrical equipment
- Asbestos cement products - roofing & wall cladding
- Certain textured coatings
In general, the materials which contain a high percentage of asbestos are more easily damaged and the above list is roughly in order of ease of fibre release.
Managing asbestos
Asbestos may be present if the building was constructed or refurbished between 1950 - 1980 and particularly if it also has a steel frame and/or boilers with thermal insulation.
If present, you will need to know the location, form, condition and type of asbestos. You might need to arrange to analyse samples of materials that you suspect contain asbestos.
Do not break or damage such material - samples should only be taken by suitably trained people (look for UKAS or NAMAS accredited companies under 'Laboratories' or 'Analytical Research Chemists' in Yellow Pages).
Assessing the condition of asbestos materials involves considering the risk of asbestos fibres being released into the air:-
- Is the material being/likely to be disturbed?
- Is the surface damaged, frayed or scratched?
- Are surface sealants peeling or breaking off?
- Is the material becoming detached from its base?
- Are protective coverings missing?
- Is there asbestos dust or debris in the immediate surrounding area?
- Deciding what to do depends on the condition and type of the material:-
(a) If the material is in good condition/not likely to be damaged/not likely to be worked on THEN
it is safest to leave the material in place and introduce a management system.
For this to be effective the owner/occupier of the premises must be in a position to exercise control over access by workers, contractors etc. and be able/prepared to exercise that control.
(b) If the material is in poor condition/likely to be damaged or disturbed THEN
you need to repair, seal, enclose or remove the material
Taking action offers a number of options:-
Asbestos left in place
If it is in good condition establish an asbestos management system i.e. keep records and/or a register of where the asbestos is; label materials with warning signs or colour coding so that those who need to know are alerted to its presence.
Damaged materials can be repaired and either sealed or enclosed to prevent further damage. You will still need to label etc. such areas as part of an asbestos management system.
Removal of Asbestos
This should take place where dust release is likely, repair or protection is not practicable or where the material is likely to be disturbed during routine maintenance work.
Remember that work on asbestos insulation and lagging (including sealing and removal ) must normally be done only by a contractor licensed by the HSE.Disposal of Asbestos
Asbestos waste should be double-bagged in heavy duty polythene bags and clearly labelled with the prescribed label before it is transported to an appropriately licensed disposal site.What the Law Says
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 require employers to prevent the exposure of employees to asbestos. If this is not reasonably practicable, exposure should be controlled to the lowest possible level.
Assessment of likely exposure is required before any work with asbestos is carried out - if you use a contractor make sure this has been done and that work practices to reduce exposures have been specified.
These Regulations also introduce a new duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises (Regulation 4). This duty does not come into force until May 2004 in order to allow people in control of premises time to comply.
More information can be obtained from Booklet L127 'The Management of Asbestos in Non-Domestic Premises' (ISBN 07176 23823) available from HSE Books.
The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 as amended in 1998 require that a contractor doing more than two hours work with asbestos lagging or coating must be licensed. It is recommended that a licensed contractor is used regardless of the length of time the job is likely to take.
What you should tell your workers / contractors
Details about any asbestos materials (location, type etc.) and make them aware of any asbestos register. Referral of any enquiries etc should be to an appropriate nominated person identified in the management system.
Precautions to be taken if necessary
(1) Never strip out asbestos insulation - the law requires a specialist contractor to do this to strict rules.
(2) Where minor work on materials containing asbestos (e.g. asbestos cement) is to be carried out by workers/contractors, make sure that they know they are working with asbestos and what precautions they should take e.g.
- keep all unnecessary personnel out of the work area
- take care not to create dust
- keep the material wet whenever possible
- wear a suitable respirator and protective clothing
- clean up with a type 'H' vacuum cleaner
- not to break up large pieces of asbestos materials
- not to use power tools not to expose unprotected workers
- not to take protective clothing home to wash
Checklist for businesses
You can 
download the checklist (8.7K) below to print off for your records.
1. Do you know or suspect if any asbestos materials are present in your workplace?
2. Have you examined the original building plans or asked the owner (or architects if they can be tracked down) to establish if and where any asbestos materials were used?
3. If suspected asbestos materials have been found, has an analysis been arranged to confirm the type etc. of the asbestos?
4. If asbestos has been found, have you addressed its condition and decided what to do, seeking expert advice as necessary?
5. If asbestos is to be left in place have you established a management system to record details (location, type etc.) inform appropriate personnel and periodically inspect?
6. Should work be required on asbestos insulation and lagging, are you aware that this normally must be done by a contractor licensed by the HSE Asbestos Licensing Unit?
(For information on your nearest contractor, contact the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association on 01283 531126 or via the web at www.arca.org.uk.)
7. If work is carried out on asbestos materials have you passed on relevant information and instructions to employees, safety representatives and contractors?
Useful links
For further advice see the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm
Or the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association
www.arca.org.uk
For information regarding asbestos products and asbestos content see
www.aic.org.uk
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
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