Asbestos and You
Millennials, gen Z workers and other younger people who work as plumbers, electricians, and in other trades need to take the risk of asbestos much more seriously.
That’s the message from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The workplace regulator has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with the dangerous substance.
The campaign, called Asbestos and You, will target all tradespeople with a focus on younger workers in trades such as plastering and joinery. HSE wants to reach construction workers who started their careers after the use of asbestos was banned in 1999.
The regulator is concerned the length of time it takes for symptoms to develop after asbestos exposure could lead to a perception among today’s younger workers that it is something that only impacts older people who were working before the ban.
Five thousand people a year still die from asbestos related illnesses and asbestos can still be found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000.
HSE wants to reach construction workers who started their careers after the use of asbestos was banned in 1999.
The regulator is concerned the length of time it takes for symptoms to develop after asbestos exposure could lead to a perception among today’s younger workers that it is something that only impacts older people who were working before the ban.
Did you know?
- 5,000 die every year from asbestos related diseases.
- Every tradesperson is likely to undertake work in a building that contains asbestos at some point.
- There is no cure for asbestosis once it has developed
- Asbestos can be in any building built before the year 2000.
- Asbestos remains in millions of homes, business premises and public buildings today.
- Even small jobs like drilling a hole can expose you to the danger.
- If your work is likely to disturb asbestos, you must take action to ensure that you and others are are not exposed to danger.
Where asbestos can be found
A. Asbestos cement water tank
B. Pipe lagging
C. Loose fill insulation
D. Textured decorative coating e.g Artex
E. AIB ceiling tiles
F. AIB bath panel
G. Toilet seat and cistern
H. AIB behind fusebox
I. AIB airing cupboard and/or sprayed insulation coating on boiler and hot water tank
J. AIB partition wall
K. AIB interior window panel
L. AIB around boiler storage heaters and warm air heating systems
M. Vinyl floor tiles and bitumen adhesives
N. AIBbehindfire
O. Asbestos cement gutters and downpipes
P. Soffits – AIB or asbestos cement
Q. AIB exterior window panel
R. Asbestoscementroof
S. Asbestos cement panels
T. Roofing felt – roof undercloaking very commonly cement
AIB = Asbestos insulating board
Practical steps for every job
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Asbestos can be in places that you might not expect, so you could come into contact with it without knowing.
HSE Introduction to Asbestos Essentials (A0) is a good place to start. Asbestos Essentials are a series of task sheets that provide step by step guidance of good practice The first step in managing work anxiety is building a personal wellness plan.
Before you get started
- Consider doing some basic asbestos awareness training.
- Ask if a survey has been done or if a plan or an asbestos register is available.
- Check if the building was built or refurbished before the year 2000.
- If possible, plan the job to avoid disturbing any asbestos.On the job
- Be aware that hidden asbestos could still be found even if a survey has been done.
- Be aware of what to watch for and where it hides
- If you suspect asbestos, assume it is until proven otherwise.
- If you’re not trained to work with asbestos and/or you are not prepared – STOP WORK.
If asbestos is disturbed
If you discover or accidentally disturb asbestos during your work, stop work and see asbestos essentials (em1) for step by step guidance. If disturbed it must be dealt with quickly and appropriately.
Remember
Do not work on asbestos materials unless you have been trained and have a risk assessment and plan of work for that particular material. Asbestos awareness training does not allow you to work on asbestos.
Your company insurance will not cover you or others unless working with asbestos is specifically included and you have complied fully with the Regulations.
Asbestos: Non licensed and licensed work
What is non-licensed asbestos work? Some materials are lower risk and you can work on them providing you have:
- appropriate training;
- a plan of work risk assessment compliant with Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012;
- company insurance to do so.If in doubt assume it is licensed until proven otherwise.What is licensed asbestos work? Some materials are high risk and it is illegal to work on these materials unless you hold an asbestos license. Do not touch the following materials, they should only be touched by a licensed asbestos contractor:
- Asbestos loose fill insulation.
- Asbestos sprayed coating, known as limpet.
- Pre-formed insulation eg asbestos pipe lagging.
- Asbestos insulating board (AIB) eg removing ceiling tiles or panels, where the iob takes more than two hours from start to finish.
- Large amounts of asbestos-containing debris or material eg clearing up after a fire, flood or water leak.Asbestos essentials task sheets can be found here.
Do you know enough to protect yourself and others from asbestos?
Asbestos didn’t disappear when it was banned from the UK. The HSE have developed a quiz to test your knowledge with 8 quick questions. Have a go here.
Should you require any further information, clarification or assistance please contact us on info@wpsafety.co.uk or 01268 649006.