ASBESTOS & HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES


TAKE ACTION AGAINST ASBESTOS


Carl Waring, solicitor at Mayiclaim, explains the importance of correct asbestos management and offers a step by step guide on how organisations can keep safe when handling the substance.


Since its surge in popularity at the end of the 19th century, asbestos has been used in many buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing to name but a few. However prolonged contact with asbestos fibres often leads to serious health risks. If asbestos fibres flake off and are inhaled, they can become embedded in the lungs which can lead to dangerous diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.


So how do you handle or remove asbestos materials in the correct way?


First, you must ensure you don’t use any power tools, compressed air, high-pressure hoses, or sanding discs and abrasive cutting discs. Always ensure you’re working in areas with good ventilation, and that the asbestos material is damp to reduce the chances of dust and fibres being released.


To protect yourself when removing asbestos cement products, you’ll need to be wearing an EN14 half-face filter respirator with an EN141 P3 cartridge. A usual dust mask won’t prevent you


Here are some vital points to remember with outside work:


• Ensure that all personal belongings are away from the work area.


• Keep all windows and doors shut to reduce the risk of fibres finding their way inside the building.


• Cover the ground with heavy- duty plastic sheeting to stop contamination.


• Ensure that your family members and pets stay away.


• Inform neighbours; ask them to keep all their doors and windows shut.


• If it’s a windy day, avoid working with asbestos completely.


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from breathing in asbestos fibres. Ensure you wear EN388 PVC gloves; these have been manufactured to prevent mechanical dangers.


Remember to remove these items, when you’ve finished working, and dispose of them in the correct way in an asbestos disposal bag which must be doubled bagged with plastic sheeting. You’ll need to use a lockable skip as you cannot dispose of the asbestos using a general one. When you’ve completed your work with asbestos, be thorough with washing your hands, showering, and washing your hair.


In the event that some asbestos material breaks apart, don’t use a vacuum cleaner as this can release more fibres. Use a paper towel or a damp cloth to remove any dust. You must then dispose of the towel or cloth by putting it into two plastic bags, tying them up separately, and putting it straight into the bin.


There are two kinds of asbestos: firmly bound asbestos and loosely bound asbestos. With firmly bound asbestos, the fibres are usually bonded together with cement or glue. When this type of asbestos isn’t damaged, there isn’t much health risk. Firmly bound asbestos is usually found in sewer, gas, and water pipes.


Loosely bound asbestos fibres, however, are more hazardous than firmly bound ones as they are more likely to flake off because there isn’t another material holding them together. Therefore, this type of asbestos always needs to be enclosed or removed. Loosely bound asbestos is usually found in boiler insulation, sprayed insulation, or pipe lagging. HSE states that materials containing loosely bound asbestos require the expertise of a licensed contractor. The health risks linked to loosely bound asbestos are a lot greater


Here are some vital points to remember with inside work:


• Set apart your work area by shutting doors. But be sure to keep exterior windows and doors open for ventilation.


• Make sure not to spread debris through the rest of the building.


• Cover the ground with heavy- duty plastic sheeting.


• Keep family members and pets away from the work area.


than they are for firmly bound asbestos. If you want to disturb or remove products containing loosely bound fibres, you’ll need to contact a specialist to do this for you.


Always ensure you seek further advice should you have any concerns before attempting to handle asbestos.


Mesothelioma is asbestos-related cancer, and the UK has one of the highest rates. The occupations most at risk include shipyard workers, carpenters, plumbers, construction workers, firefighters, and power plant workers. Many people won’t know they’ve been affected by asbestos until they experience one or more of the following symptoms:


• Painful coughing. • Dry crackling in the lungs. • Chest pain. • Shortness of breath.


These symptoms can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to develop depending on the duration of exposure and its severity. It’s important to take legal action if you feel you’ve been exposed without warning.


mayiclaim.co.uk/industrial-disease/ mesothelioma


www.tomorrowshs.com


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