Five Things You Didn’t Know About Asbestos

Everyone’s heard of asbestos. Many may not know precisely what it is, but one thing we’re all fairly certain of is that it’s bad. To give you a bit of a better understanding of this construction material though, here are 5 facts about asbestos that we bet you never knew… 1) Asbestos kills 20 people a week In the UK, asbestos is the number one cause of work-related death, and around 20 people each week die as a result of asbestos-related illnesses. This number is made up almost exclusively of tradesmen that work closely with asbestos, whether this is knowingly or accidentally. When inhaled for long periods of time, asbestos can go on to cause cancer, lung diseases and Asbestosis. 2) Asbestos isn’t harmful though It might sound like a huge contradiction, but it’s true. As long as asbestos is in good condition, it poses no risk whatsoever. As soon as it’s damaged or disturbed asbestos dust and fibres can be released into the air and then inhaled. This is when it becomes dangerous which is why asbestos that’s still in good condition is maintained, not removed. 3) It’s illegal to use asbestos nowadays The UK government ruled that it was illegal to produce or fit asbestos in this country in 1985. In 1999, importation of asbestos was also banned. The current Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 includes all of the latest changes to the law regarding asbestos. 4) It is your responsibility to arrange for an asbestos survey If you own a commercial property, according to UK law, you are responsible for organising and maintaining regular asbestos surveys, not your local council. If you are found without an updated asbestos survey you could be prosecuted. If one of your workers falls ill as a result of mismanaged asbestos you could be sued for compensation, punished by the courts or be forced to close down your premises. 5) Asbestos training is mandatory If you work in an environment where you may be exposed to asbestos fibres you must undergo training to learn about how to protect yourself and those around you. So ask your employer whether there is any asbestos within the building and if training can be arranged, otherwise they’re breaking the law. Do you have any other useful asbestos information that you’d like to share?