How Is Asbestos Removed Safely UK
- Posted by:
- Admin
- Tags:
- Asbestos, Safety, Removal
- Posted date:
- 07-08-2021
Find out more about how asbestos is removed safely in the UK? We look at who is at risk of asbestos and who can safely remove it.
Who is at risk of asbestos exposure?
The use of asbestos was widely used within the UK and other countries in their construction and other industries. This was until the import and use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 2000.
Within the construction industry, asbestos was widespread and can be found in many buildings still standing today.
Because there are so many buildings that still contain asbestos, people who work in construction and demolition industries are at a high risk of being exposed to some level of asbestos during their job careers. This means that they are also at a higher risk of developing asbestos diseases, including pleural thickening, asbestosis or even mesothelioma. These diseases can take a long time to affect you but can do serious harm or even death if left untreated for too long.
Some examples of jobs that may mean you come into contact with asbestos include joiners, plumbers, demolition workers, electricians, decorators and painters, dockworkers, engineers, welders and more. All these jobs have some risk of coming into contact with asbestos at some point.
Another group of people at risk of developing these asbestos-related diseases include those who lived near asbestos producing factories. The giant fans spewed this dust produced from the factories onto the streets, which allowed asbestos fibres to move around and settle on many sites.
Those who lived during these times would state it seemed like Christmas every day because it "snowed" a lot. They also said they remember children picking up the "snow" and throwing at others.
Secondary exposure claims for mesothelioma began to come in during the 1970s and onwards. These cases included a loved one of the person who was originally infected. The person came home with their clothes from work still on and contacted their family or loved ones. This could be when they were shaking out the dust at home before getting changed or hugging the children while in their dusty overalls.
Who Can Remove Asbestos?
Materials that contain asbestos to any degree should only be removed if necessary and should not be removed by anyone who is not properly trained in this. Removal of asbestos should be done by one who has the proper asbestos awareness training, experience, skills and knowledge to do it quickly and safely.
Asbestos exposure can cause serious health risks, leading to permanent damage to your lungs or even death if not treated properly. If this material is left alone, it has little chance of posing problems to the building's occupants and visitors. Still, if this material is disturbed in any way, this can become a dangerous situation. Once the material is disturbed, the process of removing it becomes a hazardous endeavour.
Because of its dangerous nature, the law takes this situation very seriously and tells which are and are not allowed to handle this material. The inexperienced are naturally removed from this list. Still, those allowed to proceed with this process are few in numbers and are qualified and competent professionals in the business.
UK Rules Surrounding Asbestos Removal
As stated before, the UK is quite strict on those who can and cannot handle this material and the proper procedures that must be followed to remove this material safely.
There are many asbestos-containing materials that a fully licensed asbestos removal contractor should only remove. However, before making any removals, you must inform the Health and Safety Executive for more information.
Certain types of asbestos require the contractor to have an HSE asbestos removal license before taking any actions. These special materials include Lagging and sprayed coatings, asbestos insulation, loose-fill lagging insulation, small pieces of debris and loose dust, and AIB or Asbestos Insulating board. These materials must be removed by one who has a full license and has the proper process for removal. The HSE must have at least 14 days notice.
Other asbestos materials do not require HSE licenses, but these people still need to notify the HSE. Some materials covered under this include AIB if the removal is short work, the asbestos is below the control limit, or not part of the maintenance work.
This usually covers the removal of Artex or Large-Scale Texture coating or paper containing asbestos, Felt, yarns, cardboard, rope, gaskets or cloth in poor condition.
Finally, there is a group called ACMs, which are classified as low-fibre releases. This means when the asbestos is disturbed, there is a low amount of fibre being released. The materials within this group can be removed without the Asbestos Removal License.
Some materials include AIB as long as the duration of works is short, the work is below the control limit and is part of the maintenance work. Also, the removal of resin-based materials is covered under this, including gaskets, friction products and brake linings.
The Danger Of Amateur Asbestos Removal
Thousands of people each year think they can remove the asbestos themselves and save some money doing so. It is essential to you and your families health that you do not try this without the proper training and experience in this area.
When untrained people try to remove this material, it has devastating effects on their health if the fibres are ingested. Although the effects will not start right away, they will eventually start between 10 or more years later when they have developed into dangerous diseases related to asbestos.
Those who smoke are generally more at risk than others when ingesting the asbestos fibres as the damage to their lungs is usually worse overall than others.
Not only will this action cause great harm to your health, later on, you can also face legal battles under the control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
In some instances, after work has been completed, the home will require a 4-Stage re-occupation Certificate to allow others to enter the home again. The survey is carried out will ensure the home is safe from harmful asbestos waste.
Are you looking for asbestos training in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire? For any extra information regarding asbestos training, you can follow the links below to find out more:
