Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that possesses a fibrous structure and is found in six different varieties. Historically, asbestos has been utilised for its excellent insulating and strengthening properties in various building materials. However, it was later determined that asbestos poses significant health risks.

It can be difficult to identify asbestos, as it is often mixed with other materials. The HSE asbestos image gallery shows a number of common materials that contain asbestos.

An asbestos survey is an effective way to help you manage asbestos in your premises by providing accurate information about the location, amount and type of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

The asbestos survey can help to provide enough information so that an asbestos register, a risk assessment and a management plan can then be prepared. The survey involves sampling and analysis to determine the presence of asbestos.

An asbestos survey will identify:

• the location of any asbestos-containing materials in the building

• the type of asbestos they contain

• the condition these materials are in

Following a survey, the surveyor should produce a survey report which details the findings.

Contact us to book your asbestos survey.

Asbestos poses a significant health risk due to its microscopic fibres that can be hazardous when inhaled. These fibres are invisible and odourless, making the danger often unknown to individuals. Extensive scientific research has established a clear link between asbestos exposure and certain types of cancer.

Over 5000 deaths every year occur from exposure to asbestos. Younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related disease than older people. This is due to the time it takes for the body to develop symptoms after exposure to asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos can cause four main diseases:

• Mesothelioma (a 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 anywhere between 15-60 years for any symptoms to develop after exposure, so these diseases will not affect you immediately but may do later on in life. You need to start protecting yourself against any exposure to asbestos now because the effect is cumulative.

eople who believe they may have been exposed to asbestos are understandably anxious and concerned about the possible effects on their health. Many cases of inadvertent, short-term exposure to asbestos will most likely have led to minimal exposure to fibres, with little likelihood of any long-term ill health conditions.

Although the type of asbestos involved and duration of exposure may be known, there may be little reliable information about the level of exposure. These are all important factors in determining the level of risk - the more fibres that are released by an asbestos-containing material, and the longer the work activity lasts, the greater the cumulative exposure to asbestos fibres and, therefore, an increased risk of ill health.

Some work activities are more likely to create a significant concentration of asbestos fibres in the air, and therefore, add to the risk if suitable precautions are not in place; for example:

• use of power tools (to drill, cut etc) on most ACMs

• work that leads to physical disturbance (knocking, breaking, smashing) of an ACM that should only be handled by a licensed contractor eg sprayed coating, lagging, asbestos insulating board (AIB)

• manually cutting or drilling AIB

• work involving aggressive physical disturbance of asbestos cement eg breaking or smashing

If you are concerned about possible exposure to asbestos from work activities, you are advised to consult your GP and ask for a note to be made in your personal record about possible exposure, including date(s), duration, type of asbestos and likely exposure levels

The removal of higher risk asbestos-containing materials (sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos insulation, asbestos lagging and most work involving asbestos insulating board (AIB) should only be carried out by a licensed contractor.

Licensed asbestos removal work is a significantly hazardous job because it involves higher risk asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These materials are more likely to release larger quantities of asbestos fibres when being removed than lower risk materials (such as asbestos cement).

Contractors who specialise in the removal of higher risk ACMs require specific training and should follow specific working practices. Contractors also use sophisticated respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and are legally required to be under regular medical surveillance. It is because of the hazardous nature of this work that a licence to do it is required from HSE.

Asbestos waste describes any asbestos products or materials that are ready to be disposed. This includes any contaminated building materials, dust, rubble, used tools that cannot be decontaminated, disposable PPE (personal protective equipment) and damp rags that have been used for cleaning. Asbestos waste should only be handled by a licensed disposal site.

The general duties in Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act) apply to protect householders from any risks from work activities being carried out in their homes. Where work being done involves asbestos-containing materials then the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 will also apply, in particular:

• regulation 11 (Prevention or reduction of exposure to asbestos)

• regulation 15 (Arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies)

• regulation 16 (Duty to prevent or reduce the spread of asbestos

In owner-occupied domestic properties, the owners are not legally responsible for risks to contractors from asbestos, as the owners themselves are not engaged in any work activity.

Asbestos may be part of any commercial or domestic building which was built or refurbished before the year 2000. Asbestos can typically still be found in any of the following:

• asbestos cement products (pipes, flues, roofs etc)

• lagging (on pipes and boilers etc)

• water tanks and toilet cisterns

• asbestos insulating board (AIB – which closely resembles typical plasterboard)

• loose asbestos in ceiling and wall cavities

• sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls and beams / columns

• textured decorative coatings (commonly referred to as Artex)

• floor tiles

• textiles and composites

HSE has produced an interactive diagram which illustrates where asbestos may be found. The asbestos image gallery also provides real photographs of typical asbestos-containing materials that can still be found today.

Do not try to repair or remove any asbestos materials yourself if you have not had any training for non-licensed asbestos work. Asbestos Kent can assess your property and determine whether it is likely to be asbestos or not.

Slightly damaged asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can sometimes be repaired by sealing or enclosing them. However, you should only attempt to do this if you have had the necessary training. Any badly-damaged asbestos material that is likely to become further damaged should be removed if it cannot be protected. Some materials (sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos lagging / insulation or asbestos insulating board) should only be removed by a contractor licensed by HSE such as Asbestos Kent.

If you are planning any DIY home improvements, repairs or maintenance – and intend to bring in any additional builders, maintenance workers or contractors – you should inform them of any asbestos materials in your home before they start work. This will help reduce the risks of any ACMs being disturbed.

In addition, please also be aware that ACMs need to be legally disposed of as hazardous waste. This should not be mixed with normal household waste.

HSE strongly encourages the use of trained professionals to repair or remove ACMs.