Identifying Asbestos

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Identifying Asbestos
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Aim

• The aim of this Training Tool is to provide you
  with the following information to ensure the
  safety of your workforce
• What is asbestos?
• Facts
• Where is asbestos found?
• What does asbestos look like?
• How can you identify asbestos?
• Hidden killer diseases
• Asbestos training legal requirements
• Working with asbestos

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What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous
material that has been a popular building
material since the 1950s. It is used as an
insulator (to keep in heat and keep out cold),
has good fire protection properties and protects
against corrosion. Because asbestos is often
mixed with another material, it's hard to know if
you're working with it or not. But, if you work
in a building built before the year 2000, it's
likely that some parts of the building will
contain asbestos.
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Facts
Each week approximately 8 joiners 6
electricians 4 plumbers die from asbestos-related
diseases.
Each year approximately 4000 people die from
asbestos. Thats more than are killed on the
roads.
Each week approximately 20 tradesmen die from
this hidden killer.
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Where is Asbestos found?
Sprayed coating Found as fire protection on
structural supports (e.g. columns and beams). It
is a high hazard asbestos product and can
generate very high fibre levels if
disturbed. Pipe Insulation Asbestos thermal pipe
lagging is a high hazard asbestos
product. Asbestos Insulating Board (also
referred to as AIB) ceiling and door panels AIB
is a high hazard asbestos product and can
generate high levels of fibres if the board is
cut or drilled. AIB window panels Like other
AIB, this is a high hazard asbestos product, and
if in good condition should be left
undisturbed. Floor tiles Vinyl (PVC) or
thermoplastic tiles contain asbestos.

• Asbestos cement roof sheeting
• Asbestos cement sheeting is often found on
  industrial building roofs and walls.
• Textured decorative coating (such as Artex)
• Textured coatings contain a small amount of
  asbestos. The asbestos is well bonded and fibres
  are not easily released. However, it is still an
  asbestos product, and as such, needs to be worked
  with safely.
• Others
• Ceiling tiles
• Boilers
• Board around windows, radiators, fireplaces,
  building columns and pillars
• Soffit boards
• Inside fire doors
• Gaskets and sealants on pipe joints
• Fuse boxes and electrical switch gear

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Asbestos house where it can be found
1. Water Tank 2. Pipe Lagging 3. Property
Insulation 4. Textured coating (e.g. artex) 5.
Soffit Board (roof overhang) 6. Toilet cistern 7.
Wall panelling 8. Fuse box 9. Heater cupboard 10.
Floor tiles 11. Rainwater items such as roof
gutters and down pipes
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What does asbestos look like?
Pieces of AIB
Asbestos Fire Blanket
AIB ceiling tiles in a corridor
Damaged asbestos panelling
Asbestos cement downpipe
Asbestos containing floor tiles
Asbestos cement roof
Torn asbestos pipe lagging
Wall with trowelled loose asbestos
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What does asbestos look like?
Pipe insulated using asbestos lagging and rope
Sprayed 'limpet' asbestos on underside of an
asbestos cement roof
AIB window panelling
Asbestos cement drainage downpipe
AIB window sill
Asbestos soffit
Asbestos cement external building panel
Asbestos panelling around gas meter
Asbestos textured coating
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How can you identify asbestos?
Because asbestos is often mixed with another
material, it's hard to know if you're working
with it or not. Asbestos materials in good
condition are safe unless asbestos fibres become
airborne and then inhaled, which happens when
materials are damaged. If you are unsure whether
you are working with asbestos materials where you
are working stop and check. People in charge of
workplace buildings have a legal duty to provide
you with up-to-date information on the location
and condition of asbestos before you start work.
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The Hidden Killer

• Exposure to asbestos can cause four main
  diseases
• Mesothelioma cancer of the lining of the lungs
  it is always fatal and is almost exclusively
  caused by exposure to asbestos
• Asbestos-related lung cancer which is almost
  always fatal
• Asbestosis a scarring of the lungs which is not
  always fatal but can be a very debilitating
  disease, greatly affecting quality of life
• Diffuse pleural thickening a thickening of the
  membrane surrounding the lungs which can restrict
  lung expansion leading to breathlessness.

It can take 15-60 years for any symptoms to
develop after exposure, so these diseases will
not affect you immediately but may do later in
life. You need to start protecting yourself
against any exposure to asbestos now because the
effect is cumulative.
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Asbestos training legal requirement
If you plan to disturb asbestos, e.g. by drilling
a hole in textured coating or removing an
asbestos ceiling tile, then as well as awareness
training, you will need job-specific,
non-licenced asbestos training. This will give
you the skills to

• Use and fit a face mask
• Use safe work methods
• Deal with asbestos waste
• Safely carry out non-licenced tasks such as
  painting undamaged asbestos insulation board,
  cleaning light fittings attached to asbestos
  insulating boards and cleaning guttering on an
  asbestos cement roof.

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Dont start work if

• You are not sure if there is asbestos where you
  are working
• The asbestos materials are sprayed coatings,
  board or insulation and lagging on pipes and
  boilers only licenced contractors should work
  on these
• You have not been trained to do non-licenced work
  with asbestos. Basic awareness training is not
  enough.

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You should only continue work if
Work has been properly planned and the right
precautions are in place (e.g. you have the right
equipment) The materials are asbestos cement,
textured coatings and certain other materials
which do not need a licence You have had
training in asbestos work and know how to work
with it safely.
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If you work with asbestos
Use hand tools not power tools Keep materials
damp not too wet Wear a properly fitted,
suitable face mask, (e.g. disposable FFP3 type).
An ordinary dust mask will NOT be
effective Double bag asbestos waste and label the
bags properly Clean up as you go use a special
(Class H) vacuum cleaner, not a brush After work,
wipe down your overalls with a damp rag or wear
disposable overalls (Type 5) Always remove
overalls before removing your mask Wear boots
without laces or disposable boot covers Put
disposable clothing items in asbestos waste bags
and dispose of them properly Dont carry asbestos
into your car or home Dont smoke, eat or drink
in the work area Dont take overalls home to wash.
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More information
The HSE has a range of Asbestos Essentials task
sheets that will show you how to carry out a
range of non-licenced tasks safely. They are
free to download at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essent
ials
For a fantastic range of PPE, Asbestos Safety
Signs, Tapes and Training Aids, go to
www.seton.co.uk
Source Contains public sector information
published by the Health and Safety Executive and
licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0.