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Asbestos information

As long as asbestos is in good condition and is not being, or going to be, disturbed or damaged there is no risk. However if it is disturbed or damaged, for example during building maintenance work, it can be a danger to health, because asbestos fibres are then released into the air and breathed in.

Asbestos

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can resist heat and chemicals. It was used extensively as a building material from the 1950s through to the mid 1980s.

What are the problems with asbestos? Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos related diseases, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest lining. There is no cure for asbestos related diseases, which currently kill up to 3000 in the UK each year and are the biggest work-related killer at the moment.

What types of asbestos are there? There are three main types of asbestos, which may be found in premises. These are commonly called blue asbestos (crocidolite), brown asbestos (amosite), and white asbestos (chrysotile). All of them are hazardous.

I think I have asbestos in my workplace. What should I do?

As long as asbestos is in good condition and is not being, or going to be, disturbed or damaged there is no risk. However if it is disturbed or damaged, for example during building maintenance work, it can be a danger to health, because asbestos fibres are then released into the air and breathed in. Further information can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who uses your building, who disturbs asbestos that has deteriorated or been damaged and is releasing fibres can be at risk. Anyone whose work involves drilling, sawing or cutting into the fabric of the premises could potentially be at risk, for example electricians and decorators.

How would I recognise asbestos in my building?

It is impossible to tell whether a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. This can only be confirmed by analysis of a sample in a laboratory.

Asbestos containing materials are more likely to be present in buildings constructed or refurbished before blue and brown asbestos were banned in 1985 and not in new buildings. They were particularly used in buildings built in or before the 1970s.

What type of materials might contain asbestos?

You are most likely to come across asbestos in these materials:

  • sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing generally used as fire breaks in ceiling voids
  • moulded lagging generally used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers
  • insulating boards used for fire protection and thermal insulating
  • asbestos cement products, which are usually semi-compressed or corrugated, e.g. corrugated sheets on roofs
  • some ceiling tiles
  • gutters, rainwater pipes and water pipes.

Asbestos Do's and Don'ts

  • Don't panic if you think you have asbestos in your home - it's usually only a problem if it's disturbed.
  • Do treat asbestos with respect
  • Don't drill, saw or disturb materials that contain asbestos.
  • Do seek advice if you think you've got a problem with asbestos in your home

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