What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that can be separated into fibres that are strong and durable, as well as being resistant to heat and fire. The fibres can also be long, thin and supple, meaning it is possible for them to be woven into cloth. With asbestos being so multifunctional, it was used as insulation and as a heat resistant material in buildings until the year 2000.
Historically, asbestos was used in a variety of building products, including residential, industrial, scientific, maritime and automotive. This includes uses in commercial buildings, such as schools and hospitals.
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos has been proven to cause a number of very serious, and often life threatening, diseases. When asbestos is disturbed or damaged, the fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled. Unfortunately, when they are inhaled, they can cause extremely severe diseases because of the permanent damage they cause to the body. The diseases won’t be apparent immediately; it is usually years later that symptoms will first appear; but, when most people are diagnosed, it is often too late.
Asbestos kills approximately 5,000 workers in the UK each year, and approximately 20 tradesmen die every week as a result of being exposed to asbestos in the past. However, asbestos is not a thing of the past yet – it still exists in numerous buildings which were constructed or refurbished pre-2000.
What diseases can asbestos cause?
It is possible for those who are exposed to asbestos to inhale the fibres which then pass into the lungs, where they can remain for a number of years. The fibres often remain in the lungs for so long that they can cause serious conditions and diseases, such as:
- Mesothelioma – a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and the lining around the lower digestive tract
- Asbestos-related lung cancer – similar to lung cancer caused by smoking
- Asbestosis – a serious scarring condition of the lungs which can cause severe shortness of breath
- Pleural thickening – a condition where the lining of the lungs thickens and cause shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest area
Managing asbestos
If you are working with, or on, a building which was built or refurbished before the year 2000, it is vital that you take out all the necessary risk assessments to determine if asbestos is present, as this kind of work needs to be carried out by a licensed contractor. Working with asbestos is a very serious procedure, so ensuring that those working with asbestos are licensed and trained efficiently is extremely important to protect their health and safety.
Whoever takes out the risk assessment must specialise in asbestos and possess an adequate level of knowledge and training in order to ensure the risks associated with asbestos are fully understood. It is vital to work with a health and safety consultant who specialises in asbestos and has a vast amount of experience in order to ensure they will make informed decisions and be able to identify the necessary actions to take.
Asbestos exposure
In order to prevent asbestos exposure, it is advisable to speak to an experienced health and safety consultant who has experience in asbestos risk assessments. To find a consultant in your area, browse the OSHCR register.