Asbestosis is a cancer that is responsible for around 4000 deaths a year in the UK, that’s a higher figure than many fatal road accidents. A scary figure indeed! Especially, when we consider that up until a few decades ago, no-one really knew much about Asbestos. It was a common material used frequently and millions were exposed to its deadly fibres everyday.
Let’s try to understand Asbestos and its dangers :
Asbestos is present in very low levels in the air that we breath every day, the problem arises when we are exposed to very high levels (many hundred times the acceptable amount) this could be due to work being done on a building that was built pre-1990.
Asbestos is a mineral with long fibrous crystals, which was used as a fireproofing and also insulating agents from the 1950s right through to the mid 80s. Many schools, offices, factories and hospitals built in this period contain large amounts – it must be stated that if this insulation is not disturbed then it is perfectly safe, but when it is broken or disturbed it becomes “a hidden killer”.
Remember, you cannot see or smell asbestos fibres and the effects may take many years to appear.
If you are working on a property that was built pre-1990 protect yourself now.
Know the facts:
- Water tanks: Many of these were made from asbestos cement (pre-1980s)
- Toilet cisterns: these may contain asbestos reinforced composite materials.
- Heater cupboards: These often contain asbestos insulating board.
- Floor tiles: vinyl and thermoplastic floor tiles often contain asbestos.
- Fuse box: The panel behind the fuse box can contain asbestos, each fuse wire has an individual asbestos flash guard.
If you are working on a building built before 2000 consider any suspicion that there may be Asbestos present. Don’t use power tools as these create too much dust, clean up waste, don’t let it pile up – use an industrial vacuum and wet cloths to mop up and always use face masks. Make sure that all overalls and masks are double bagged and disposed correctly at a licensed tip.
Many tradesmen working on these buildings can contract, Mesothelioma or lung cancer which are always fatal or Asbestosis which is not always fatal but is a very debilitating disease.
Remember, that Think! Safety Signs can supply all your Asbestos Regulation signage and PPE equipment just call our sales team for an instant quote and keep you and your workforce asbestos free.
One Response
Contrary to popular belief, not only construction workers and miners are exposed to asbestos. In fact, millions of workers in the U.S. alone are exposed to this mineral. They include firefighters, mechanics, engineers, custodians, steel workers and power plant workers.