As we have already stated, it is quite difficult to tell with any degree of certainty if a material does indeed contain asbestos or not. However, even though you may not be able to tell for definite, this does not mean that you cannot get a good idea about the situation.

What we do know is that asbestos was used to make certain types of products and boasts excellent fire resistant and insulation properties, so you can gauge the kinds of things it was used for. The following are just examples of what materials might contain asbestos:

• Girders and structural beams (sprayed asbestos)
• Packing – partition walls and floors
• Roof and wall cladding (asbestos cement)
• Insulating board – partition walls and ceiling tiles
• Boilers / pipework lagging

In addition to these products described above, there are many other things that were made with asbestos. It is important to not that some of these products can only be removed by a licensed contractor with a current license from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

For more details, go to the HSE website or get in touch with an asbestos removal contractor to discuss the asbestos products that need to be removed or encapsulated in your building.

This is a very good question to ask as although you may be aware that asbestos could be present in a building, due to the fact that it was build before the start of the new millennium, you might not now how it will appear and more importantly, where it can be found.

By going to the Health and Safety Executive website you can find out more information about the areas within a building where asbestos may be found, plus what products could contain it. You can also speak to an asbestos removal expert about this if you are unsure about working in a building.

A licensed contractor will be able to tell you all about the risks of working close to where asbestos has been identified, but the following is a starting point for you.

The truth is that it is not always simple to tell, just by looking, if asbestos is contained within a material or not. This may not be very helpful to you, but unless you have access to a specialist lab it is likely you won’t really be able to properly identify it as containing asbestos. However we will now consider some examples of products that often contain it.

In this last blog post on the subject, we will be going through the rights a worker can reasonably expect to demand when working with asbestos as well as any requirements set out by law.

A worker has the right to expect to be given equipment that works, is clean, and offers protection against the threat posed by asbestos. In addition to this they should also be trained in how to use the equipment in a safe manner.

The area where the work has taken place should be inspected afterwards so that it can be deemed fit for use again.

Any asbestos waste collected during the job has to be disposed of in a safe manner and according to set guidelines. You may need to speak to the person responsible for health and safety within the building or consult with the asbestos removal experts.

What we have gone through so far have been recommendations to those managing a job, but the law has clearly defined how to approach work involving asbestos-containing materials. These dutyholders need to follow the regulations set out to them and follow them to the letter.

If you need to find out more about the law and what is required you can check out the HSE website or speak to a licensed asbestos contractor.

In continuing with this topic, we will be pointing out more things that will need to be addressed by managers and those responsible for teams working on asbestos-containing materials.

It needs to be pointed out that all risks need to be carefully planned for at the beginning, before work is started. This includes asbestos-containing materials but is not just restricted to these as the right precautions need to be taken for any job in order to ensure the safety of the worker.

For the safety of the employee to be taken seriously, it is imperative the equipment is suitable for the job, with method and task sheets handed to them so they know how the job needs to be carried out. They should be made aware of ways to keep the amount of time exposed to asbestos as limited as they can.

When the work is still at the planning stage, all that is involved in the job needs to be carefully explained, along with the procedures that need to be followed and any controls put in place for their benefit.

The next article will be the last one on this subject and looks more closely at what the law says.

When it comes to working with asbestos there are now stringent regulations in place as to what workers should and should not do. It is up to those in charge of the work to plan ahead and remember their responsibilities in this area.

For a start, those overseeing the job need to check whether asbestos-containing materials are going to be involved in the work and include this at the planning stage. Their aim should be to avoid disturbing the products as much as they can.

It is also up to them to make sure that any person appointed to work with asbestos materials in fully trained and up to the task. They might need to be supervised when carrying out this type of work too.

The manager will need to make a judgement early on about what work is legally allowed to be conducted on these products, with many situations requiring a licensed asbestos removal contractor to do this type of work.

In the next article we will continue with this and look at some more responsibilities for overseers working on a job where asbestos is thought to be involved.

In the previous article we explained how it is imperative that any tradespeople in the situation of having to make decisions where asbestos is concerned, not to take any unnecessary risks.

So they can best protect themselves against the dangers of exposure to asbestos, here are a few more pointers to bear in mind:

• Make sure you are always wearing your protective equipment when working in an area that contains asbestos-materials. This includes putting on an appropriate face mask and any breathing apparatus that may be recommended
• It is best to carry on cleaning as you go on to prevent waste from building up and reduce the risk of damaging any asbestos products in the process
• Waste should be placed in double-bags and taken to a licensed rubbish disposal facility
• You should also wash before you go back home and take off any clothes that might have been contaminated.

These tips are certainly of use to those that have to deal with asbestos through their jobs, working in buildings that contain these materials. So you always need to be aware of the threat to your health when working in this type of environment.

With most things, if you take the right precautions you are usually going to be fine. But the problem for those that have to work with asbestos on a daily basis, i.e. tradespeople, is that they don’t always consider the implications of asbestos exposure and how it can take years for the symptoms to reveal themselves.

Therefore, if this relates to you, it is wise to do all you can to minimise the risks of asbestos, even if you do have to come into contact with these products during the course of your work.

Here are some examples of the sorts of things you should do:

• If you determine that asbestos may be contained within a product or if you are unsure, it is best to stop what you are doing and speak to a licensed asbestos removal contractor
• Stick to your work plan and the guidance sheets for each task, being sure to use the right ones for the work in hand
• Be sure to consider all the risks of carrying out the work and not just those posed by asbestos – these include such things as working at height.

In the next article we will look at a few more of these.

Over the past few articles we have been considering the things tradespeople need to bear in mind when working in an environment where asbestos may be present. Now we will be thinking through a few pointers that a person needs to take care not to do.

The following is important advice for those who may become exposed to asbestos through their work:

• For a start you should refrain from using equipment and methods that create plenty of dust, such as with power tools
• Don’t simply use a brush to sweep up the debris and dust collected, but make sure you use wet rags or a Type H vacuum cleaner instead
• Never take your work clothes home with you – any overalls worn for work involving asbestos-containing materials need to be disposed of in the correct manner
• Disposable masks or clothing should not be reused for any reason
• Refrain from smoking in and around these areas
• The same applies to eating and drinking in this type of environment.

All these things should be heeded for your own good. If you have any concerns regarding asbestos found in a building, always refer it to the asbestos removal specialists.

Asbestos is known as a ‘hidden killer’ for very good reason. Many people are not aware but on average 20 tradespeople, eight joiners, six electricians and four plumbers die per week because of asbestos-related diseases.

In the not too distant past asbestos was still being widely used as a material for building work in the United Kingdom. This began back in the 1950s and carried on until part-way through the 1980s so it was not that long ago that asbestos was a key component of the trade.

Asbestos was used for a number of purposes and boasted excellent fire-proofing and insulation properties, making it ideal for building – until it was found that the risks far outweighed the benefits.

It is true that any building that was constructed prior to the year 2000 could quite easily be found to have asbestos-containing products within its walls. This may be a school or hospital and so is not just restricted to homes, offices and factories.

There is not always a cause for concern however as asbestos materials in a decent condition is usually deemed safe. It is when the fibres get released in the air when the risk increases.