Asbestos
Asbestos attracts particular attention because it has had such a devastating effect
for so many people.
There are three common types
1. White (chrysotile),
2. Brown (amosite)
3. Blue (crocidolite)
People working directly with asbestos are clearly at risk, but the main problem is
that it has had many applications in the past, and this leads to exposure to others
for many years after. Typical uses included:
• Pipe lagging;
• Ceiling tiles;
• Roof and wall sheeting (asbestos cement);
• Coatings sprayed on to steel structures to provide fire insulation;
• Thermal insulation in lofts and walls;
• Gaskets.
Illnesses caused by asbestos inhalation include
• Pneumoconiosis;
• Asthma;
• Asbestosis;
• Mesothelioma;
• Lung cancer.
Asbestos is covered by the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006. They
create a duty on employers if workers are likely to come into contact with asbestos
based materials or if there is asbestos based material in the workplace.
A suitable and sufficient assessment of the presence and type of asbestos is
required prior to commencement of work. Where there is doubt it should be
assumed that asbestos is present and that all the applicable provisions of the
regulations apply. Anyone likely to be exposed to asbestos at work requires
training. Where asbestos is found in the workplace a decision needs to be made
about whether it needs to be removed or made safe whilst leaving it is position (i.e.
encapsulated). Most activities involving asbestos must be performed by
companies licensed to do so, although there are some exceptions, the most notable
being work with textured decorative coatings such as Artex, although precautions
are still required.
There are two Approved Codes of Practice
• L143 “Work with materials containing asbestos” - Gives an in-depth look at
the Regulations
• L127 “The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises” - Deals with
how to manage asbestos.
