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Independent Asbestos Surveyors

The generic name "asbestos" belongs to a group of minerals called "asbestiform" minerals. Asbestos is a fibrous material which is mined from serpentine rock. Basically, rock was mined and crushed. When the rock was crushed, fibrous stands of asbestos were extracted from the rock. The strands were put in bags and shipped to manufacturing facilities where the asbestos was used as an ingredient in insulation and other materials. The three most commonly used forms of asbestos in product manufacturing were chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite.

Although asbestos products have not been used in construction since approximately 1975, the products in place present a clear danger to individuals involved in repair work and the demolition of structures containing asbestos products.

Asbestos is not a dangerous substance in the generally accepted sense; it does not induce cancer directly. The damage is caused by the release of asbestos fibres which are too small to be seen without a microscope. This happens when asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are cut, drilled, or damaged in some way or become worn or flaking.

Asbestos was originally hailed as a "wonder fibre" because of its heat and fire resistant properties and was widely used in homes and offices; you are most likely to come across it as boiler insulation or pipe lagging, in fire doors, or in garages as asbestos sheeting or insulating board. Asbestos diseases are however said to follow the trail of exposure. That means that where ever people have received asbestos exposure, regardless of their trade, age, sex or race, they are at risk of cancer and other diseases.

Asbestos Through The Ages

1. 1890s   First reports of concern about the health of asbestos workers.
   

2. 1927    The term ‘Asbestosis’ first used – in the British Medical Journal. Forerunner of the                               
   

                GMB advises member to submit claim for asbestosis.

1. 1930    Merewether Report – asbestosis formally recognised.
   

2. 1931    Asbestos Regulations in the UK.
   

3. 1955    Link between asbestos and lung cancer established by Sir Richard Doll.
   

4. 1960    Link between blue asbestos and mesothelioma established by Dr J C Wagner.
   

5. 1966    Voluntary ban on importation of blue asbestos.
   

6. 1968    Occupational exposure limit for blue asbestos.
   

7. 1969    New Asbestos Regulations in the UK.
   

8. 1970    Use of blue asbestos virtually stopped.
   

9. 1971    Sprayed coatings virtually stopped.
   

10. 1983    Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations.
    

11. 1985    The importation, supply and use of all blue and brown asbestos and the supply and   
    

                use of white asbestos for insulation was prohibited. Installation of asbestos insulation

                board stopped.

1. 1987    Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations.
   

2. 1992    Some uses of white asbestos prohibited. Installation of asbestos containing
   

                decorative plasters virtually stopped.

1. 1995    Recognition that building workers – plumbers, carpenters and electricians – are now       
   

                the largest high risk group.

1. 1997    Asbestos thought to be in around 3,000 different products.
   

2. 1998    Council of Europe adopt report recommending that all forms of asbestos are banned                                        
   

                in the 40 EU Member States. Health and Safety Commission propose to amend

                Asbestos Regulations.

1. 1999    All building material use of chrysotile prohibited in the UK, as with most other uses.
   

                Asbestos cement use virtually disappears.

1. 2002    Health and Safety Commission propose to amend Asbestos Regulations to include a
   

                specific duty for employers and those in control of buildings to manage asbestos.

                Future asbestos claims are estimated to cost over £140 billion.

1. 2005    White asbestos will be prohibited across all EU Member States.  (Blue and brown
   

                are already banned).

Asbestos: A Wonder Fibre?

HSE: Manage Buildings? You Must Manage Asbestos!

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Main Types

Chrysotile (White Asbestos)

Chrysotile asbestos a white curly fibre is known as serpentine because it is found in serpentine rock. Chrysotile, accounts for 90% of asbestos in products. It is a magnesium silicate.

Amosite (Grey Asbestos)

Amosite asbestos was used to a lesser extent than chrysotile. Most of the amosite asbestos used in the United Kingdom was mined in South Africa. Amosite asbestos is an amphibole and contains iron and magnesium.

Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)

This form of asbestos was the least used in commercial products. Approximately 10% of the asbestos used in the United Kingdom was crocidolite. Crocidolite is member of the amphibole group, crocidolite takes the form of blue, straight fibres. It is a sodium iron magnesium silicate.

Duty Holder

The handling and treatment of asbestos is covered under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and its associated guidance and approved Code of Practice. The duty to manage asbestos is contained in regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 . It requires the person who has the duty (ie the "dutyholder") to:

1. 1take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in;
   

2. 2presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not;
   

3. 3make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos containing materials - or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos;
   

4. 4assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified;
   

5. 5prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed;
   

6. 6take the necessary steps to put the plan into action;
   

7. 7periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date; and
   

8. 8provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.
   

There is also a requirement on anyone to co-operate as far as is necessary to allow the duty holder to comply with the above requirements.

Employers

An employer also has a duty of care under the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974 to ensure that the health of his employees is not put at risk due to either unsafe systems of work or by the nature/maintenance of his workplace.

This is further addressed under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which place a duty on employers to assess all significant risks posed as part of their undertaking, including their buildings, and to take suitable steps to reduce these risks. Hence, if asbestos is present in the workplace, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure, firstly, that he knows where it is, and secondly, that it is maintained in a safe and proper manner so as not to pose a threat to the health of his workforce.

HSE: A Short Guide To Managing Asbestos in Premises

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