Page 17 - October 2019

ASBESTOS FIBRES ASBESTOS PIPE COVERS ASBESTOS PIPE LAGGING ASBESTOS ROOF PANELS

Sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls, floor tiles can be found hidden
beams and columns under carpets.
As one of the most dangerous materials
to contain asbestos, sprayed coatings Textiles, such as fire blankets
can include up to 85 per cent asbestos Textiles containing asbestos
and it breaks up very easily. Even can be found in fuse boxes
the smallest disturbance of sprayed behind the fuse itself, as well
coatings can release large quantities of as in fire blankets and heat-
asbestos fibres into the air. resistant gloves.

Drainage pipes and water tanks Textured decorative coatings
Asbestos cement was often used to on walls and ceilings, such
strengthen drainage pipes and water as Artex
tanks built from pitch fibre – a lightweight Textured coatings were
material made of wood cellulose used to produce decorative
impregnated with inert coal tar pitch. finishes on ceilings and walls
and often contained asbestos.
Loose-fill insulation or enclose it and keep its condition
Loose-fill insulation is made up of pure Cement roofs and panels under review
asbestos and is thought to be most Roofs and panels containing asbestos Remove and dispose of the asbestos
dangerous ACM. If disturbed, it can release were mainly made up of large sheets of material.
large quantities of fibres into the air. corrugated cement. They are usually found There are a number of problems with
on industrial and farmyard buildings, leaving asbestos in place, even if it is
Lagging on boilers and pipes as well as roofs on garages and sheds. not in poor condition or is sufficiently
Asbestos was used as lagging on boilers sealed. These include its presence not
and pipes, which if disturbed would Cement flues being clearly identified, wear and tear
release fibres very easily into the air. Cement flues containing asbestos and vandalism. Therefore, sealing
may be found in boiler systems, air asbestos safely should only be seen as a
Asbestos insulating board (AIB) ceiling tiles conditioning and ventilation systems. temporary measure prior to removal.
Certain ceiling tiles were made using Asbestos-related diseases can often
asbestos, meaning disturbing them extend far beyond the people who come How to work safely with asbestos
could release fibres. into direct contact with the deadly While removal is favoured over sealing
substance and affect the families of or enclosing asbestos, you are able to
Toilet seats and cisterns workers through contaminated work carry out your duties safely without
Asbestos composites can be found in clothes or overalls. disturbing the material. Advice includes:
toilet cisterns and seats, windowsills Following the plan of work and
and bath panels. Such materials are not The impact on your health is guidance provided
very different from what is used now. Taking account of other risks,
determined by the number of including working at height
AIB partition walls fibres inhaled and the length Avoiding methods that create a lot of
AIB was commonly used as fireproofing of time you are exposed to dust, e.g., using power tools
material, but it also had many other uses, asbestos; frequent exposure Using protective equipment such as
such as creating partition walls, lining lift face masks properly
shafts and panels below windows. makes you five times more Using a Type H vacuum cleaner or wet
likely to contract lung cancer cloths to tidy up - do not sweep up
AIB panels in fire doors than the general population Cleaning up as you go to prevent
Fire doors were previously made with waste from building up
AIB panels to improve fireproofing. Disposing of waste appropriately,
What do I do if asbestos is found? e.g., double bagging
Asbestos rope seals, gaskets and paper The policy upheld by the HSE when Washing before breaks and going
Rope seals and gaskets made from asbestos material has been identified home
asbestos are usually found in gas or includes three possible approaches: Not eating, drinking or smoking in the
electric heating appliances. Leave the material in place work area
without sealing it and introduce Avoiding taking overalls used for
Vinyl floor tiles a management system to keep its asbestos home
Asbestos floor tiles were extremely condition under review Not reusing any disposable clothing
popular, and sometimes old asbestos Leave the material in place but seal or masks.

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