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AsbestosWhere is Asbestos found in Buildings? What should you tell your workers/contractors? << Back to Health & Safety index page If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for a workplace, which may contain asbestos you have a duty to manage that risk. You need to be able to identify, assess and manage any asbestos materials in your premises. Breathing in air containing asbestos dust can lead to asbestos related diseases, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest lining. Asbestos is only a risk if asbestos fibres are released into the air and breathed in. The number of deaths from asbestos-related diseases is expected to rise for the next ten years 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 and the onset of disease. This can vary from 15 to 60 years. There are three main types of asbestos still found in premises. These are commonly called ‘blue asbestos (crocidolite), ‘brown asbestos’ (amosite) and ‘white asbestos’ (chrysotile). All of them are dangerous but blue and brown asbestos are more hazardous than white. In general the more asbestos dust inhaled, the greater the risk to health although it is now thought possible that repeated low level exposure such as could occur during routine repair work, may also lead to asbestos induced cancers. So electricians, plumbers, building maintenance workers, shop fitters and carpenters may still be at risk when carrying out refurbishment, repairs etc. on buildings which contain asbestos. Where is Asbestos found in Buildings? You are most likely to come across asbestos in the following materials. * Sprayed/loose packed asbestos – e.g. as fire breaks in ceiling voids. 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. |
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