Update on Managing Asbestos

Asbestos in buildings is still a major hazard, even though it has been banned as a building material literally since last century.

The simple fact is that asbestos has been used in construction work for so many years that it will be around for a very long time yet.

If you are in premises that were built or refurbished before 2000, it is quite possible that asbestos is present in one form or another. As an employer or person who has responsibility for the premises, you are required to know where asbestos has been used or, if you cannot be certain, where it might have been used, and then properly manage the consequential risks.

Risks of Working with Asbestos

The potential impact on anyone who has inhaled asbestos fibres some time in their lives can be horrendous. It may be decades later that people begin to show symptoms, possibly of asbestosis, which is a very unpleasant respiratory disease due to scar tissue in the lungs. Asbestos is also carcinogenic and can result in mesothelioma, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lungs and stomach lining, or the more common lung cancer.

You can read comprehensive information about the most common type of mesothelioma - "Pleural Mesothelioma" on the Pleural Mesothelioma Center website.

In addition to those who have worked with the substance, asbestos can also affect family members. For example, there is a recent case where a man, who had worked with asbestos, received £250,000 compensation because his wife died after having laundered his work clothes over a period of 10 years. The man also has lung cancer, though it cannot be demonstrated that this was caused by asbestos.

The current estimate is that around 4,000 people are dying every year from asbestos related diseases and this figure is expected to rise still further.

Why Are We Highlighting the Issue Again?

We wrote a previous article about asbestos in 2002, but the risks are just as great today for someone who inhales asbestos fibres, albeit unwittingly.

In fact, the Health and Safety Executive is currently running an Asbestos Campaign, which is targeted particularly at tradespeople who are most likely to encounter asbestos in their routine work. However, whatever kind of business you run, you may receive a visit from an inspector as part of this initiative.

So far, the campaign has been geared to raising awareness through publicity drives, but this is only the start. The intention is to follow this up during the next few months with as many visits to business sites as possible.

You may think that your business has nothing to do with asbestos, but you are required by law to be prepared for when you need a contractor to carry out any kind of building work on your premises. That could be a builder, electrician, plumber, joiner or anyone else who may need to disturb the fabric of the building.

For example, a recent prosecution in Dunfermline involved workmen refurbishing a nightclub. They were exposed to asbestos for almost two weeks before the work was stopped by an HSE inspector.

Alongside the asbestos campaign, the HSE is now pursuing a policy of identifying and then blitzing selected geographical areas. In October 2008 it was the Bradford area when they visited construction sites and a range of other businesses, both large and small.

Regardless of your location, size or business sector, you could receive a surprise visit from an HSE or local authority inspector, so it behoves you to be prepared.

What are Your Duties as an Employer?

Under health and safety legislation you have all kinds of responsibilities, but in this article we are focussing particularly on asbestos.

The first thing an inspector will want to see is evidence that you've had an asbestos survey carried out. Unfortunately, that is not something that can be done by the uninitiated. You need to employ specialists (such as EDP) who know what to look for, where to look, how to have sample building materials tested and all without subjecting themselves or others to asbestos fibres.

The result of the survey is a register of all locations and materials that are known or suspected of containing asbestos:

If the material is considered to be in good condition and therefore not a threat to health unless disturbed, it may be sufficient to identify it as such and to pass on the information to anyone who may be working on that part of the building.
If it is not in good condition, then action needs to be taken to remove the material or use some alternative means of making it safe.

You can read more details of what is required in our previous article.

For the sake of your employees, along with any contractors you may employ and for the sake of your business, if you are not already prepared, you need to contact us now for an informal discussion of what needs to be done before an inspector comes calling.

Contact EDP HS&E Consultants for all your health, safety and environment needs. We can check your current arrangements and advise you about any changes or improvements you need to make.

To discuss your requirements, without any obligation on your part, please gives us a call on 01744 766000 or complete the Enquiry Form on our website.

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