The dangers of asbestos

Although the use of asbestos products in the UK was banned in 1999, there are still a lot of buildings that contain this carcinogenic material. This means that asbestos still presents a significant health risk for plumbing and heating engineers.

Out of sight

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral, with long flexible fibres, that is used to make building materials. If inhaled, these fibres can cause serious diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of cancers of the digestive system, including colon cancer. In fact, there are over 5,000 asbestos-related deaths each year in the UK.

Asbestos could be present in buildings that were built or refurbished before the turn of the century, but most likely in properties built in the 50s, 60s and 70s. If left alone, asbestos doesn’t pose a risk to human health, but once disturbed tiny fibres are released that cannot be seen or felt in the air or on clothing. Even small jobs like drilling a hole can put people in danger.

“Asbestos can be found in things like artex, cement boards under eaves, garage roofs, old bath panels, boiler houses, fireplaces and even mortar,” says Tim Beaumont, HSE’s Policy Advisor. “There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure, but that’s not to say it can’t be managed safely.”

Be prepared

Asbestos can be found in unexpected places, so plumbing and heating engineers could come into contact with it without knowing. It’s therefore vital that engineers implement good practice before starting work on a job. HSE’s Introduction to Asbestos Essentials series, for example, provides step-by-step guidance of good practice, which could prove a life saver for installers.

Before getting started, HSE advises installers to:

• 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.

The law

Asbestos awareness training does not allow individuals to work on asbestos. Some materials are high risk and it is illegal to work on these materials without an asbestos license.

The following materials should only be worked on by a licensed asbestos contractor:

• Asbestos loose-fill insulation.

• Asbestos-sprayed coating, known as limpet.

• Pre-formed insulation – asbestos pipe lagging.

• Asbestos insulating board (AIB) – removing ceiling tiles or panels, where the job takes more than two hours from start to finish.

• Large amounts of asbestos-containing debris or material, for example, clearing up after a fire, flood or water leak.

Useful links

• To learn more about the Work Right campaign, visit www.workright.campaign.gov.uk/...

• For more information on training, visit www.hse.gov.uk

• To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licens...