Asbestos is a Class One carcinogen but is only dangerous when the microscopic fibres are released into the air and breathed in. There is usually a long delay between the first exposure to asbestos dust and the onset of disease. This can be between 15 and 60 years, with the majority of people dying from asbestos related diseases now being exposed during the 50s and 60s.

Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer, currently kill over 3500 people each year in the UK. This figure is expected to rise to in excess of 10,000 per annum over the next ten years.

The danger from asbestos arises when the material is damaged or moved. Asbestos fibres may be released and breathed in, settling in the lungs of maintenance workers, plumbers, builders or whoever is in the area.

It is therefore vitally important to be aware of the location of asbestos containing materials within the workplace so that the potential of disturbance and fibre release can be prevented.

Breathe Easy

Jon Bury From Asbestos Survey Projects explains Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations.

Asbestos can be present in various forms and differing levels of content in over 3500 common substances, ranging from pipe insulation and cement roofing to suspended ceiling tiles, artex coating and vinyl flooring. A total prohibition on asbestos being used in the construction industry came into force in 1999, but most older buildings in the UK have some asbestos containing materials (ACMs).

Exposure can occur when workers disturb ACMs during maintenance work or in the refurbishment and demolition of buildings, when asbestos fibres become airborne and inhaled. Therefore, most ACMs pose little risk unless they are disturbed in a way that results in the release of fibres, such as drilling corrugated cement roofs or disturbing ceiling tiles with an asbestos content.

The inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious diseases of the lungs and the other organs, and may not appear until years after the exposure. For example, asbestos can cause a build-up of scar-like tissue in the lungs and result in loss of lung function that can then progress to disability and death. Other diseases that are linked to asbestos fibre inhalation are lung cancer and mesothelioma. Many of these diseases occurring now are the result of exposure to asbestos fibres many years ago, as the time from exposure to disease is ordinarily between 15 and 50 years.

“Asbestos related diseases currently kill up to 3500 people each year in the UK and this figure is expected to rise significantly over the next ten years,” explains Jon Bury from Asbestos Survey Projects. As the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state, “It is the number one cause of work –related deaths.”

Measures have had to be taken to reduce the risk of maintenance staff, contractors, builders and all occupiers becoming exposed to asbestos fibres. “Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at work Regulations came into effect on May 21st 2004,” added Jon. “ UK legislation imposes a legal duty on anyone with an obligation to maintain non domestic premises to investigate whether asbestos is present in their building, monitor its condition, put control in place and notify anyone who might be a risk. This legislation applies to the ‘Duty Holder’ who could be a building owner, tenant or even landlord of commercially run housing premises.

“We estimate that, despite the Regulation being in effect for over a year, as many as half of the properties affected by the legislation are yet to carry out their asbestos assessment. Those failing to comply with the Regulation leave themselves open to possible prosecution by HSE inspectors. Make sure that your staff, tenants and business itself isn’t at risk by giving us a call.”

From their headquarters in Birmingham, West Midlands Asbestos Survey Projects’ surveyors carry out building inspections throughout the UK and have worked in locations as widespread as Muir of Ord in Northern Scotland to Truro in Cornwall.

Our Surveyors are expert in identifying all the ACMs in your property,” says Jon. “They will compile a report based on their findings, which itemises each ACM and provides recommendations, as well as providing a future management programme. The concerns you have over asbestos related issues are resolved and compliance with the Regulation guaranteed.”

If ACMs are found within a building, risk assessments are compiled to establish the likelihood of asbestos fibre release. The surveyors’ recommendation may be to remove the ACM, although Jon is keen to point out the independent stance of the company.

“We are purely a surveying company,” he explains. “Too often, companies with a disposal division recommend unnecessary removal, when leaving the ACM in place, and therefore not disturbing the asbestos fibres, is the best option. In these instances, we can provide a management system where the condition of the ACM is regularly monitored – another aspect of the Regulation.”

It is essential to note that the Regulation applies to all non-domestic properties, even where the Duty Holder thinks there are no ACMs in their premises. In order to comply, the premises must still have an asbestos register indicating the absence of asbestos.

The Regulation is not an option- it’s the law.

Make sure that you have your asbestos register in place by contacting Asbestos Survey Projects. Only then can you breathe easy.