Why is asbestos dangerous?

When these fibres  are inhaled they can cause serious diseases which are responsible for around 4500 deaths a year. There are four main diseases caused by asbestos:

• Mesothelioma  (which is always fatal),
• Lung cancer ( almost always fatal),
• Asbestosis ( not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating)
• Diffuse pleural thickening (not fatal).

Asbestos fibres are present in the environment so people are exposed to very low levels of fibres. However, a key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related diseases is the total number of fibres breathed in. Working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high level of asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds of times that of environmental levels can increase chances of getting an asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos related diseases won’t affect immediately but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect yourself now to prevent you contracting asbestos-related diseases in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Where can you find asbestos ?

• Asbestos cement products
• Textured coatings 
• Floor tiles, textiles and composites
• Spayed coatings on ceiling, walls and beams/columns
• Asbestos insulating board
• Lagging
• Loose asbestos in ceiling of floor cavity

Working with asbestos

Do: 

• Stop and ask if you are suspicious something may be asbestos or if you think the work might need to be carried out by a licensed contractor
• Follow the plan of work and the task guidance sheets; make sure you use the right sheet for the job. Make sure you take account of other risks such as work at height
• Use your protective equipment, including a suitable face mask, worn properly  
• Clean up as you go – stop waste building up
• Make sure waste is double-bagged and is disposed of properly at a licensed tip
• Wash before breaks and going home
• Check whether the work should be notified 
• Make sure you have been properly trained before you started

Don’t:

• Use methods that create a lot of dust, like using power tools
• Sweep up dust and debris – use a Type H vacuum cleaner or wet rags
• Take home overalls used for asbestos work
• Reuse disposable clothing or masks
• Reuse disposable clothing or masks
• Smoke 
• Eat or drink in the work area

What should those in charge of the job do?

• Find out it asbestos-containing materials are present and plan the work to avoid disturbing this materials if possible
• Ensure that anyone who is going to work on asbestos-containing materials is trained properly and is supervised
• Know what work can be carried out on asbestos-containing materials, ie does this work need to be carried out by a contractor licensed by HSE?
• Take account of other risks as well as asbestos, e.g. work at height, and take the precautions necessary to do the job safely
• Use the equipment and method sheets and the right task sheet to make sure that the job is carried out properly and that exposure to asbestos is kept as low as possible
• Prepare a plan of work, explaining what the job involves, the work procedures, and what controls to use
• Provide you with the right equipment, which is clean, in good working order, and protects you against asbestos 
• Train you in using this equipment
• Make sure the work area is inspected visually at the end of the job, to check it’s fit for reoccupation
• Make arrangements for the safe disposal of any asbestos waste