We have a product that has

the following properties:

•Virtually indestructible
•Fire_proof
•Water resistent
•Heat resistant
•Cheap
•Natural product mined from the earth
•Versatile
•Fibres can be woven into clothing
•Can be sprayed over pipes etc’ to add fire-proofing
•Can be added to any product to pass on the properties

Health Safety and Welfare

•What uses can you think off
for this type of material ?

Health Safety and Welfare

 Welcome
to
Asbestos Awareness

Health Safety and Welfare

 Aim

Raise the awareness of everyone to

the new duty to manage asbestos in
buildings
 What’s Asbestos all about?

• Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous

mineral, looks a bit like rockwool or
fibreglass in its raw state

• It was already in use by the Egyptians

around 2000BC, woven into cloth and used
as a burial shroud.
 What’s Asbestos all about?
• The Romans used it and the Fins made
cooking pots from it in the first millenium.

• In the latter part of the Industrial

revolution it’s use became common in
industry.

• New uses evolved particularly in building

products where its range of properties
were exploited to the full
What was so good about it?
• Heat resistant, doesn’t start to
degrade until about 900 deg C
• Doesn't burn
• Resistant to acids & corrosion
• Can be woven into a strong cloth
• Can be used as a reinforcement
similar to fibre glass
• Cheap & easy to use
 So, what’s the problem
• The wonderful properties that make
it useful has a big downside if it gets
into the lungs.
• The tiny fibres are sharp and strong.
• Breath in the fibres and they get
stuck in the lung, in fact every time
you take a breath they get drawn
deeper.
 Remember its properties
• Resistant to acid and corrosion
• Strong
• Well, this means that the fibres stay
in the lungs and can’t be broken
down by the body
• They are also sharp and can
penetrate lung tissue.
• That’s where cancers can start
 Asbestos related diseases
The inhalation of asbestos fibres has been shown to
be the cause of three types of diseases.

• Asbestosis
• Asbestos Cancers
• Mesothelioma
 How big is the problem?
• This year around 3000 people will die
from Asbestos related diseases
• By 2020 that may rise to 10,000 per
year
• Nothing can be done for these
people, these diseases are not
treatable.
• Can take 5~50 years to show
• Horrible death
 Why don’t they do
something?
• Most intensive use from 1955 to
1970

• Which meant that the significant

effects only began to show in 1980’s

• Legislation was geared to protecting

workers in manufacture and removal
of asbestos
 Jigsaw Puzzle

• But the numbers kept rising when

the should have started to fall

• From a study in 1995 it was clear

that 25% of people dying had
previously worked in the construction
industry
 A recent Article
in the
Lancashire evening Telegraph
 Then
• 1998 The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations
were expanded to include any work done
on asbestos board to be carried out by
licensed contractors
• In 1998 Control of Asbestos at Work
Regulations was amended
• Expanded scope to include incidental
exposure to asbestos
• Made it clear that CAWR applied to all
workers
• In 1999 use of all asbestos in manufacture
was banned
 The Heritage

• It is almost impossible to destroy it

• Thousands of tonnes were used each

year in buildings
• Usage peaked 1950~1970
• Estimated 2 ~ 4 Million of tonnes are
still left in buildings
 Ouch!
• Workers, employers, building owners
and operators were often completely
unaware that asbestos containing
materials were present

• That largest single group at risk?

• 1.4 million workers in the

construction industry
 Just who is at risk?
Anybody that disturbs ACM
sufficiently to put dust in the air!
• Demolition Workers
• Building Maintenance Workers
• Gas fitters
• Joiners
• Electricians
• Heating and ventilating engineers
• Plumbers
 The Dilemma
• Huge quantity of asbestos in buildings

• To remove it all would cost billions

• If removed what can be done with all

waste

• Increased risk to all the removers, people

around, transport, waste dumps etc
 Asbestos mill board used
as a ceiling board for fire
resistance, plumber didn’t
recognise it when he fixed
the leak
 The Good News
• 2002 Asbestos at Work Regulations amended
further and now include

• Specific Duty, To Manage Asbestos in Buildings

• Duty holder is principally the occupier

• Mostly the employer

• Housing at the moment excluded

 What the new “Duty”
means
• We have to find out where all asbestos
• Risk assess
• Decide whether to remove, encapsulate it,
or leave as is
• Keep register of all asbestos
• Monitor it’s condition
• Provide information on the location and
condition of the materials to anyone who
is liable to work on or disturb them
Belgian Board containing
Belgian Board containing Blue Asbestos Blue
Oh Asbestos
by the way, it’s water resistant too !
Oh by the way, it’s water resistant too !
 This doesn’t happen here?

• A few examples of possible ACM

 What are we doing
• Asbestos has always been dealt with according to
the laws

• To help us we have employed specialist

consultants

• Thoroughly vetted during selection process

• One of leading Asbestos Consultants

• Advise us on all aspects

 Steps taken since 2005

• February 05 all data into database

• March 05 all data transferred to our

Repairs Management System

• Asbestos information will automatically be

included on every job ticket to help keep
our partners safe
As future construction workers, we
ask you to help

• If you suspect that the information on the

job ticket is wrong tell us immediately

• If you suspect asbestos, stop work

immediately and tell us

• If you suspect asbestos that does not

affect the job in hand, tell us as soon as
possible
 Remember

• If you work on Asbestos you may put

your health in danger

• You are not insured to knowingly

work on Asbestos
What happens when Asbestos
is suspected
• Report
• Independent surveyor takes samples
and advises action
• Remove, encapsulate or manage
• Licensed Contractors
• The have equipment and trained
personnel
• Leave it to the experts
 Asbestos Not Dangerous
IF…
• Location is known

• Precautions are taken

• Many colleagues who know what to

do
 Remember

• It’s not a contagious disease

• It’s perfectly safe unless it is

disturbed and dust gets into the air
 Less Frequently Asked
Questions
• Anybody?
Health Hazards

Four Categories.
• Physical.
• Chemical.
• Biological.
• Ergonomic.
Health Hazards
Entry Routes.
• Absorption.
• Ingestion.
• Inhalation.
• Puncture.
Acoustic tiles often
contained 15 %
Asbestos fibres as
reinforcement
Ingestion Inhalation

Through the Skin

Laceration
 Health Hazards

Rats.
Humans may contact leptospirosis (Weils
Disease) caused by urine infected water.
• Category Biological.
• Entry route Absorbed into the blood
stream.
• Symptoms Flue like, developing into
respiratory failure.
Note. 20% of those who catch Weils
Disease die from the effects.
 Health Hazards
Birds.
Humans may contact psittacosis it is a
bacteria from bird droppings.
• Category Biological.
• Entry route Inhalation.
 Health Hazards
Hypodermic needles.
Causing - HIV - Hepatitis.
• Category Biological
• Entry route Absorption.
 Health Hazards
Asbestos.
Found in many forms causing asbestosis
and mesothelioma.
• Category Chemical.
• Entry Route Inhalation or Ingestion.
 Health Hazards
Bio Hazards.
Hepatitis. A.
The infection is caused by infected faeces.
Symptoms.
• Fever.
• Nausea.
• Stomach pains
Recent survey showed 57.5 of sewage workers
had evidence of hepatitis infection in their
blood.
 Health Hazards
Bio Hazards.
Hepatitis. B.
Infection carried in the blood.
Symptoms.
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Loss of appetite.
Thermal Insulation
 Demolition.
• Contact with oils / used oils, can cause
skin damage. Some examples are:
• Mould release oil , diesel oil , hydraulic oils
engine oils
• Avoid contact with :
• Oil , oily clothing , oily rags
• Skin complaints may result in :
• Dermatitis, Cancers, inability to continue in
job , loss of earning ability
Loose Insulation
 Asbestos.
Identification. (rule of thumb).
• Blue lavender/grey blue green.
• Brown grey brown.
• White white grey

Note: lab testing is the ONLY reliable

method of identification.
Sprayed Coatings

Residue

Residue
Diagram
of lungs

Area affected
by
Mesothelioma
Sprayed Coatings
Thankyou !