Asbestos
If you own, manage or have responsibility for a workplace
building that may contain asbestos you need to think about the risk
of exposure to workers and others who may use the buliding. You
need to be able to identify, assess and manage any asbestos
materials on your premises. The Health and
Safety Executive provides further information and
also free leaflets to download or the opportunity
to find out how to become a partner.
The dangers
Asbestos is the greatest single cause of work-related
deaths. Huge amounts of asbestos were installed in buildings
during the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's and much of it is still in
place today. Electricians, plumbers, building maintenance
workers, shopfitters and carpenters may still be at risk when
carrying out refurbishment and repairs on buildings which
contain asbestos.
Where is asbestos found in buildings?
- Sprayed/loose packed asbestos eg as fire breaks in ceiling
voids
- Sprayed coatings and laggings eg 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 and wall cladding
- Certain textured coatings
Who is most at risk?
Maintenance workers, electricians and alarm fitters or
anyone whose work involves drilling, cutting or sawing into the
fabric of a building.
What laws apply?
- The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002
- Duty to manage Asbestos as required by The control of Asbestos
at Work Regulations 2002 (effective from May 2004)
- The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983
- The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992