ASBESTOS

1
ASBESTOS

• Information for Engineers

2
Asbestos - Introduction

• What is asbestos ?
• What products may contain asbestos ?
• Why is asbestos a problem ?
• What you should do
• Safe System of Work

3
What is Asbestos?

• A group of naturally occurring minerals that can
  be separated into fibres
• Fibres are strong, durable and heat resistant, 30
  million tons have been used in the UK
• Fibres are also long, thin and flexible and have
  been woven into cloth

4
3 Main Types of Asbestos

• 1. White asbestos from Canada
• 2. Brown asbestos from Africa
• 3. Blue asbestos from Africa and Australia
• All types are equally harmful, but there have
  been more illnesses reported from handling Blue
  Asbestos than any other

5
What Products may Contain Asbestos?

• Pipe covering
• Insulating cement
• Insulating block
• Gaskets
• Floor tiles
• Ceiling tiles
• Board

• Ships hulls
• Packing materials
• Adhesives
• Sound proofing
• Brake/clutch assemblies
• Thermal seals

6
Why is Asbestos a Problem?

• Thousands of people die each year because they
  breathed asbestos dust.
• There is no cure for asbestos related diseases.

7
What You Should Do

• Ask if asbestos is present
• Be aware that asbestos could be present
• If you are suspicious of a substance
• stop work and seek advice

8
Safe System of Work -Information Only

• DO
• keep all materials damp
• use hand tools only
• wear a suitable respirator
• double bag waste
• label waste
• wash before eating or leaving site

• DO NOT
• disturb suspicious dust
• use power tools
• breath in dust
• use brushes or brooms
• casually remove waste
• take protective clothing home

9
Recap

• Asbestos kills 30,000 people a year in UK
• Millions of tons are present in buildings
• It is safe until disturbed
• If unsure - STOP WORK SEEK ADVICE