Asbestos
Members of
Important news
HSE have just released their new guidance and there are some far-reaching changes. A copy of the new Asbestos: The Survey Guide is available here
Landlords should note some important changes on page 23, papagraphs 60 to 64
HSE have just launched their latest asbestos awareness campaign
Click on the picture to go to their site
City fined £14,000 over asbestos risks
Published Date: 12 November 2009
Council bosses hit by a £14,000 fine for putting workers at risk of exposure to asbestos today said they were confident it would not happen again after tightening up safety procedures. Edinburgh City Council was yesterday fined after admitting putting 14 of its workers at risk of exposure to the substance.
This is the second time this year the council has had to pay out over the work at the Castlebrae Community High School, having been hit with a £17,600 fine in February after admitting a series of failures over unqualified workmen who were sent to remove the toxic material.
Following the court hearing, Health & Safety Executive inspector Mike Orr said: "The council should have been well aware of it's responsibilities. It's failings are clear. This case should serve as a warning to property owners or those who manage buildings to ensure they have robust arrangements in place to manage the risks from asbestos"
Companies fined for unlicensed asbestos removal
Two companies have been prosecuted after workers and members of the public were exposed to unacceptable levels of asbestos during a removal project.
The Health and Safety Executive took the companies to court, on the 06 October 2009, after an unlicensed contractor carried out the specialist work at a warehouse in Brimsdown, Enfield.
On 29 November 2005, Noble Gift Packaging Ltd contracted A & T Roofing Ltd to remove the roof from a building on Lockfield Avenue. The roof was lined with 3,000 square meters of asbestos insulating board that contained Amosite (brown asbestos fibres), which requires removal in highly controlled conditions by licensed asbestos contractors.
A & T Roofing Ltd, of 191 Bowes Road, Enfield, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court, on 1 September 2009, to Regulation 3(1) of the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, and Sections 2(1) and 3(1) Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £25,000 and were ordered to pay costs of £33,844.30.
Noble Gift Packaging Ltd, of 73 Lockfield Avenue, Enfield, pleaded guilty at the City of London Magistrates' Court, on 28 October 2008, to Section 3(1) Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They were fined £40,000 and were ordered to pay costs of £19,223.65.
A & T Roofing Ltd employees spent 12 weeks removing and smashing the boards before sweeping the dust and debris into bags. The workers were not provided with effective protection, even after the company found out that the material being cleared contained Amosite.
Managers allowed work to continue after employees complained and a tested sample showed the presence of asbestos. Workers at the site were exposed to potentially deadly fibres. These were carried on their clothes and into their homes, vehicles, onto public transport, and may have contaminated the general public and their own families.
"Asbestos is the biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, which is why there are strict rules in place to prevent exposure."
How Does Asbestos Affect the Human Body?
ASBESTOS TEST KIT - We are currently considering putting together an asbestos test-kit which would enable people to carry out their own testing of minor articles. The kit would include written instructions, PPE, sample bags, etc. We are generally opposed to test kits as it invariably means that sampling is carried out by non-qualified individuals, but with some verbal and written instructions it should be reasonably safe for the general householder on a one-off basis. It is not recomended that such a test kit be used by industry on a regular basis. We are aware that some companies are carrying out their own asbestos sampling using test kits. Although their employees have received some training, it is not what the HSE would describe as "suitably qualified and experienced" as is required by law. The recognised standard qualification is a BOHS P402, anything less means you are not qualified to carry out this work, and there is little likelihood that you are covered by your company's insurance.
Following recent enquiries to HSE, they do not recommend the use of test kits for anything other than for individuals carrying out testing in their own home. If any householder wishes to have a test kit or wants some free advice, please contact us
What are your views? Please write and let us know - e-mail
Please see the latest article in our newsletter on Artex and textured coatings
Our Asbestos Advice is Always FREE
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Worried about the costs involved with asbestos?
How we can save you money
There are many companies who carry out surveys, but they also carry out asbestos removal. Would you be happy that they aren't biasing their reports to favour removal?
Government advice with asbestos containing materials (ACMs) is that where it is in good condition, it is safest to leave in position and manage the risk.
We do not make money from removals, and would provide you with an unbiased report. This could potentially save you thousands of pounds.
NEW HSE FIGURES
New HSE figures announced mean that there are now over 4,000 people in the UK dying from asbestos related diseases every year, and that number continues to rise.
Every Week 6 Electricians Die
Every Week 3 Plumbers Die
Every Week 20 Tradesmen Die
That means that there are more people dying every year from asbestos related diseases than are killed on our roads.
See the new HSE video here
Get your FREE information pack from the HSE - 0845 345 0055 or visit their web site by clicking here
Where can you find Asbestos in your home?
Asbestos in Your Home
The above slides show examples of common use of asbestos in the home. Other examples would include Lino Floor Tiles as well as the bitumen which was used to glue them to the floor, Mastik window sealant, Storage Heaters, Cookers, Ironing Boards, etc, etc.
All our surveyors have been trained under the UK National Asbestos Training and Accreditation Scheme and accredited by BOHS to undertake all types of asbestos surveys, with most having both BOHS P402 & BOHS P405 Certificates.
The HSE estimate that 93% of buildings in the UK contain asbestos
If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic premises which may contain asbestos you have a legal duty to manage the risk from this material.
Typically asbestos can be found in domestic and non-domestic premises in places such as; Textured Coatings ( e.g. Artex), Lino Tiles, Soffits, Insulation, Roofs, Gutters, Spray Coating on Steelwork, etc.
There are three main types of asbestos still found in premises today. 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, but unfortunately you cannot identify them by their colour, only by sampling and analysis at an approved laboratory.
Although it is now illegal to use asbestos in the construction or refurbishment of any premises, many thousands of tonnes of it were used in the past and much of it is still in place. As long as it is in good condition and is not being or going to be disturbed or damaged there is no risk. But if it is disturbed or damaged, it can become a danger to health, because asbestos fibres are released into the air and people can breathe them in.
Up to 1,500,000 commercial, industrial and public buildings in the UK are likely to contain asbestos materials. Unless this material is properly managed anyone who has access to the buildings, including employees, the public and building/maintenance workers is at risk from breathing in the life-threatening fibres of asbestos.
The HSE (Health & Safety Executive) believe that 93% of buildings in the UK contain asbestos in one form or another.
Some useful links for further information;
Asbestos and Cancer
The Asbestos Mesothelioma Web Directory is designed to help its users find the Asbestos Mesothelioma information, source, companies, products and services
http://www.asbestosandcancer.com
British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)
Every year in Britain alone, more than two million people experience symptoms of ill-health believed to have been caused or made worse by work and the latest figures published by the Health & Safety Executive show that an estimated 30 million working days are lost annually due to work-related ill-health (compared to nine million due to workplace injury).
Established since 1953, BOHS's aim is simple: to help to reduce work-related ill-health. We do this by promoting public and professional awareness, good practice and standards, and by researching and advancing education in the science of occupational health and hygiene.
Health and Safety Executive
Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm