Welcome to Stop-Think-Asbestos the information website sponsored by UK Asbestos Specialists Ltd, the leading training provider in all aspects of approved asbestos management, asbestos removal and asbestos awareness training recognised by the HSE.

This site compliments the UKasl total asbestos awareness training programmes which are now available to the construction and maintenance trades throughout the United Kingdom. On this website you will find all you need to know about asbestos and the risks to you and your employees.

The information on this website will be of particular interest to employers, asbestos contractors and others with duties under asbestos regulations, together with those workers currently at the greatest risk from exposure to asbestos.

You will also find a link on the site allowing you to book any of our best value and best quality in-house and venue training courses which can be held at any location within the United Kingdom or abroad.

The following information is available at the ‘click’ of a mouse!

Click here to visit the UKASL website for information to meet all of your Asbestos Training needs

Asbestos is a naturally occuring mineral fibre which was extensively mined in worldwide locations, and is still mined today in some countries. There were three main types of asbestos fibre used extensively within building materials in the UK. These types of fibre were Crocidolite (also known as ‘blue’ asbestos) Grunerite, (also known as amosite or brown asbestos), and Chysotile (also known as white asbestos).

Records of the first uses are known to go as far back as the 1890’s within construction materials, however the peak usage of asbestos are known to be from the 1950’s through to the mid-1980’s.
It was used for a variety of different purposes and was ideal for fireproofing and insulation. Any type of building built before 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc.) could contain asbestos. Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless the asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when the materials are damaged or disturbed.

Click here to visit the UKASL website for information to meet all of your Asbestos Training needs

Asbestos fibres are present everywhere in the environment in Great Britain so everyone is constantly exposed to very low levels of asbestos. This background, 'tolerable’ level of exposure to asbestos has been scientifically measured and, in fact most people who die will have asbestos fibres present in their lungs.....but this will have nothing at all to do with their death! The ‘tolerable level’ is statisticly proven not to cause any health problems, however, a key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in. So there is a possibility that being exposed to asbestos fibres for a short period of time could cause one of the asbestos related cancers.

Working on or near damaged asbestos containing materials or breathing in significantly higher levels of asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds or thousands of times that of the ‘tolerable’ environmental levels, could increase your chances of getting an asbestos related disease.
When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases which are responsible for around 4000 deaths a year. There are three main diseases caused by asbestos: lung cancer, asbestosis (which are almost always fatal), and mesothelioma (which is always fatal). Remember, these diseases will not affect you immediately but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect yourself now to prevent you contracting an asbestos related disease in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Click here to visit the UKASL website for information to meet all of your Asbestos Training needs

Many people believe that it is only the buildings that were built many many years ago such as before the second world war etc which will contain asbestos, however, if you work in any of the following occupations, and you carry out your job in buidlings built or refurbished before 2000, you may come in to contact with asbestos......this is because asbestos was only banned in the UK in 1999!

• Heating and ventilation engineers
• Carpenters and joiners
• Roofing contractors
• Plasterers
• Fire & burglar alarm installers
• Gas fitters
• General maintenance staff e.g. Caretakers
• Cable layers
• Electricians
• Demolition workers
• Plumbers
• Painters & decorators
• Construction workers
• Shop fitters
• Computer installers
• Telecommunications engineers
• Building surveyors

Remember that the list above does not include every occupation or worker who could possibly come in to contact with asbestos in buildings. Some of the typical places where you may find asbestos can be found within our FREE DOWNLOAD INFORMATION PAGE.

Remember its not that easy to tell if a material will contain asbestos by simply looking at it! the only sure way of knowing asbestos is within materials is to have it properly identified by an asbestos surveyor who will carry out a thorough search of buildings and take small samples of the material which is then sent to a specialist laboratory for positive identification.

You are mostly at risk when:

• You are working on an unfamiliar site
• The building you are working on was built before the year 2000
• Asbestos containing materials are not identified before the work starts
• Asbestos containing materials are identified but this information was not passed on by the people in charge to the people doing the work
• You don’t know how to recognise and work safely with asbestos
• You know how to work safely with asbestos but you choose to put yourself at risk by not following proper precautions, perhaps to save time or because no one else is following proper procedures

Remember, as long as the asbestos is not damaged or located somewhere where it can be easily damaged it won’t be a risk to you.

Click here to visit the UKASL website for information to meet all of your Asbestos Training needs

Do:

• Stop and ask your employer if the material you are about to work on may contain asbestos. Also contact your employer if you are suspicious something may be asbestos or if you think the work that you have been asked to carry out, might need to be carried out by a licensed contractor.
• If you work with asbestos which does not require the use of a licensed contractor, follow the plan of work and the task guidance sheets to HSE document HSG 210; make sure you use the right sheet for the job
  - Make sure you take account of other risks such as work at height
  - Use your protective equipment including a suitable face mask, worn properly
  - Clean up as you go - stop waste building up
  - Make sure waste is double–bagged and is disposed of properly at a licensed tip
  - Wash before breaks and going home

(Remember - Only trained personnel should work with Asbestos)

Don't:

• Use methods that create a lot of dust like power tools
• Sweep up dust & debris – use a Type H vacuum cleaner or wet rags
• Take home overalls used for asbestos work
• Reuse disposable clothing or masks
• Eat, drink or smoke in the work area

Click here to visit the UKASL website for information to meet all of your Asbestos Training needs

 

They must:

• Find out if asbestos containing materials are present within any of your work areas and plan the work to avoid disturbing these materials if possible
• Ensure that anyone who is going to work on asbestos material is trained properly and is supervised
• Know what work can be carried out on asbestos containing materials i.e. does this work need to be carried out by a HSE licensed contractor?
• Take account of other risks as well as asbestos e.g. work at height, and take the precautions necessary to do the job safely
• Use the equipment and method sheets from HSG 210 and the right task sheet to make sure that the job is carried out properly and that exposure to asbestos is kept as low as possible
• Prepare a plan of work, explaining what the job involves, the work procedures, and what controls to use
• Provide you with the right equipment, which is clean, in good working order, and protects you against asbestos
• Train you in using this equipment
• Make sure the work area is inspected visually at the end of the job, to check it’s fit for reoccupation
• Make arrangements for the safe disposal of any asbestos waste
• Consult the health and safety representative (if there is one)

Click here to visit the UKASL website for information to meet all of your Asbestos Training needs

Employers, building owners and even landlords are now obliged by law to protect their employees, the building occupants and tenants from being exposed to asbestos whilst working, visiting or living on the premises.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006
On Monday 13 November 2006, the long-awaited Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force. These Regulations are specific to asbestos and apply to both those who work with asbestos containing materials and have asbestos within or on their premises. The Regulations have included since 1998, legal duties relating to the protection of all people who are liable to be exposed to asbestos whether through direct or incidental exposure.

The requirement to carry out awareness training ACOP L143 CAR 2006
The new regulations reflect requirements set out in the European Union Asbestos Workers’ Protection Directive. The new Regulations now include the duty that employers shall provide appropriate training for all workers who are likely to be exposed to asbestos.

The requirement to carry ‘minor works’ training ACOP L143 CAR 2006
The new Regulations now include three levels of training which should be given to employees, this includes; training for non-licensable asbestos work, persons requiring this type of training would include those whose work will knowingly disturb ACMs, such as maintenance workers, refurbishment workers and their supervisors;

The Defective Premises Act 1972
Although not mentioning asbestos directly, this act of parliament places legal duties on landlords to take reasonable care to see that tenants and other people are safe from personal injury or disease caused by a defect in the state of the premises, therefore if asbestos is present within the building this has to be identified and precautions put in place to protect the tenant and others from any damaged asbestos within their property.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Once again although not mentioning asbestos directly, this is another wide ranging act of parliament which places many legal duties to protect all aspects of health and safety risks at work and also covering the self employed, employees, any non direct employees and members of the public. Any risks from asbestos being damaged whilst at work must be taken into account when complying with this most important piece of legislation.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Another general piece of legislation which should also take account of asbestos in the workplace, these Regulations place a legal duty on employers to risk assess all work activities, tools and equipment etc. Where five or more are employed the risk assessment should be written and be available to all workers who may be at risk. That documented risk assessment must include any risks to health from being exposed to asbestos.

Click here to visit the UKASL website for information to meet all of your Asbestos Training needs

 

Click on the keys to download free information and advice in PDF format *

Key

1. Sprayed Coating
2. Textured Coating (e.g. Artex)
3. Asbestos Cement sheets and moulded products
4. Electrical fuse boards and panels
5. Insulations and Lagging to plant and pipe work
6. Floor coverings and floor tiles
7. Asbestos Insulating Board and wall panels
8. Gas and electrical heater
9. Textiles and Gaskets
10. Other materials

Additional Information

1. Gas and Electrical Appliances

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