Asbestos

What is asbestos?

• Asbestos is a material which was used extensively in building works between the 1950s and mid 1980s.
• It had a variety of uses including insulation, reinforcement, roofing and flooring as well as use as a fire protector.
• Any building built or worked on before the year 2000 may contain asbestos. This means that you may not be aware if you are working with or on areas containing asbestos.

A useful ‘AsbestosVision' guide provided by the HSE is available here.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

• The environment in Great Britain contains low levels of asbestos, which means that we are all exposed to a small amount involuntarily.
• However it is at its most dangerous when the asbestos is damaged, creating a dust-like fibre. It is this fibre that, when breathed in, can cause the development of asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer. Some of these diseases may cause problems later on in life, while others can prove fatal.

How can I be sure that I protect myself?

• Because asbestos is often mixed with another material, it is not always easy to know whether you are working with it or not.
• Always find out before work commences whether there is a likelihood of asbestos being present in the building.
• Wear appropriate protective equipment e.g. dust masks when creating dust.
• Ensure that any damaged asbestos is handled by a trained person.
• Ensure that any asbestos which needs to be removed is done so by a waste carrier licensed by the HSE.
• HSE guidelines on the handling of asbestos are available at the Hidden Killer Campaign website.

Where can I find out more information?

• Building Control is not responsible for building work with asbestos related problems, as this is dealt with by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• If you are concerned that building work you are carrying out may be putting you at risk, you should contact your local HSE office.
• Information on the HSE's asbestos enforcement powers is available here.
• If you are worried that there may be asbestos in your home, please go to our Pollution Control webpage where you will find more information.