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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
The treatment and removal of asbestos is regulated by the Health &
Safety Executive (HSE), and their website
offers online publications and guidance on various aspects of
asbestos. Here we provide a brief outline of asbestos issues and
answer the most frequently asked questions.
· Asbestos
and the dangers
·
Those at risk
·
Asbestos products
·
How to determine if products contains asbestos
·
How to deal with asbestos materials
·
HSE licensed asbestos contractors
·
Asbestos management plans
·
Asbestos surveys
Asbestos
and the dangers
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral mined from the ground and
then processed and refined. The fibres were then added to a
binding agent to create an Asbestos Containing Material (ACM), such as
pipe lagging or insulation boards, to increase their strength,
durability and fire resistance.
The three main types of asbestos
used in construction were: Crocodilite, commonly known as Blue
asbestos, Amosite (Brown), and Chrysotile (White).
Although the different types of asbestos may vary in colour they
cannot be identified by colour alone. A laboratory analysis is
required to determine the type.
In the UK asbestos was used by the building industry from the late
1800’s until 1980, with particular zest between from the 1950s to
the late 1970s. Although the importation and use of asbestos was
eventually banned in 1999, it is estimated that up to half a million
commercial, industrial, public and residential buildings still contain
asbestos.
Invisible to the naked eye, when
asbestos fibres are inhaled or swallowed they become trapped in the
body and can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Statistics show that the more asbestos fibres
inhaled the greater the risk of developing a disease. There is
no such thing as a safe exposure level to asbestos but individual
susceptibility plays an important role in the development of disease.
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Those at risk
Asbestos-related disease is the
biggest occupational health killer in the UK with 3,000 people
currently dying each year, 25% of these once worked in the building
and maintenance trades and often would have worked unknowingly on
asbestos containing materials. It is now illegal to use asbestos
in the construction or refurbishment of any premises however there is
still a significant amount of ACMs still in place. Those at
potential risk are anyone whose work involves drilling, sawing or
cutting into the fabric of premises. If disturbed or damaged
there is a risk of inhalation of airborne fibres. However, as
long as the asbestos is in good condition and not likely to be
disturbed or damaged the risk is low.
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Asbestos Products
Fibrous asbestos products such as pipe lagging can contain up to 90%
asbestos. Bonded products, where the asbestos fibres are bound
into the cement, contain low amounts of asbestos (10-15%) eg asbestos
cement sheets. Asbestos was used in an innumerable amount of products,
but the most common are:
· asbestos cement products eg flue
pipes, flat or corrugated sheets, rainwater goods and water tanks
· asbestos packing pieces used as fire breaks in voids
· lagging used in insulation of pipes and boilers
· sprayed asbestos used in ducts, fire breaks, structural steelwork
· ceiling panels, partitions and soffit boards
· insulation boards used for fire protection
· paper lining used for insulation of electrical equipment
· vinyl floor tiles and bitumen adhesive
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How to determine if products contains asbestos
The only way to confirm if something contains asbestos is to have it
tested, and you must always presume it does until proved otherwise.
Oasis offer analysis of individual asbestos materials and provide an
analysts report identifying the type of asbestos. Telephone
Oasis on 0117 951 9567 or email: mail@oasis-bristol.co.uk
Under legislation, any building to undergo major refurbishment
(falling under the CDM regulations), or complete demolition is
required to have an asbestos survey to identify asbestos materials.
Due to the potential cost of removing and disposing of asbestos,
surveys are also carried out prior to the purchase or sale of
buildings.
Oasis are qualified and experienced asbestos surveyors. For a
competitive survey quotation call Oasis on 0117 951 9567 or email:
mail@oasis-bristol.co.uk
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How to deal with asbestos materials
The type and condition of the ACM will dictate how it should be
treated. If asbestos is in good condition and is unlikely to be
disturbed, then it is safe to leave it in place and carry out
periodical inspections. ACMs that are damaged can either be
encapsulated (sealed) or removed. White asbestos is classed as
low risk and can be dealt with by a non-licensed contractor however
work must comply with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations
1987, as amended 1992 and 1998, and disposal of asbestos waste
must be carried out in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations
2005.
Brown and blue asbestos are high-risk and their treatment or removal
are subject to more stringent legislation and must be carried out by
an HSE licensed asbestos contractor. Notification of the works
must also be submitted to the HSE fourteen days before the work can be
carried out. Regardless of the type of asbestos, the premises
from where the asbestos waste is to be removed (if over 200kg), must
also be notified to the Environment Agency in accordance with the new
Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.
Oasis are licensed asbestos contractors. For a competitive
quotation to encapsulate or remove ACMs please contact OASIS on 0117
951 9567 or email: mail@oasis-bristol.co.uk
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HSE licensed asbestos contractors
A licensed contractor is a individual or company that holds a license
to work on asbestos insulation, asbestos coating or asbestos
insulating board (brown and blue asbestos) and carries out that work
in accordance with the Asbestos (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations
1998 and Asbestos (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations
1998. Under the licensing regulations asbestos contractors
are subject to ad-hoc site inspections by HSE inspectors and undergo a
strict initial application and review process by the HSE.
The contractor should be able to provide you with a copy of their
licence on request (licenses are renewable and normally valid for
either one year or three years). Alternatively, the HSE have an
online database
of licensed asbestos contactors which is searchable by location or
name.
Oasis have held an asbestos license for over 20 years. For a
competitive quotation to encapsulate or remove ACMs please contact
OASIS on 0117 951 9567 or email: mail@oasis-bristol.co.uk
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Asbestos management plans
Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002
imposes a legal duty on organisations to manage asbestos in
non-domestic properties and managed residential properties. To
comply with this legislation organisations are required to develop an
asbestos management plan setting out responsibilities and procedures
in a structured action plan to manage asbestos within their
properties. Details from asbestos surveys carried are
incorporated into the management plan detailing location of ACMS, risk
assessments, recommended actions and timescales.
For advice on compiling management plans contact OASIS on 0117 951
9567 or email: mail@oasis-bristol.co.uk
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Asbestos surveys
Asbestos surveys are the cost effective route to achieving compliance
with CAWR. There are three main types of asbestos survey but a
Type 2 asbestos survey is generally regarded as sufficient for compliance
purposes. This type of asbestos survey involves a visual inspection of
accessible parts of a building and sampling of suspect materials which
are analysed by an independent UKAS accredited laboratory.
Findings form are laid out in a concise report, which includes sample
evidence, photographs, CAD drawings and a recommended course of action.
More>>
Oasis are qualified and experienced asbestos
surveyors. For a competitive quotation please contact OASIS on
0117 951 9567 or email: mail@oasis-bristol.co.uk
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