Asbestos - What You Should Know

What Is Asbestos & What Are the Risks?

Asbestos is the name for a group of natural fibrous rock types, which are strong and both heat and chemically resistant. It was widely used within homes and other buildings until 1999. There are three main types: Crocidolite (blue asbestos), Amosite (brown asbestos) and Chrysotile (white asbestos). 
 
Asbestos materials only present a risk to your health when the fibres become airborne, which can happen when they become damaged or abraded. If the fibres are inhaled they can present a significant, life threatening health risk. For those exposed to asbestos through work, such as construction workers, it is a significant workplace hazard.
 

Where To Find Asbestos In Your Home or Business Property

Asbestos can typically be found in areas such as: 

  • Eaves gutters and rainwater pipes
  • Garage and shed roofs
  • Linings for walls, ceilings and doors
  • Loose asbestos packing between floors and in patrician walls
  • Floor tiles
  • Central heating flues
  • Insulation panels in storage heaters
  • Bath panels
  • Fire blankets

 

When Is Asbestos A Problem For Your Property? 

As long as asbestos is in good condition and there is no disturbance or damage to the Asbestos Containing Material, it does not pose a risk to health, as fibres will not be released. However, having asbestos removed professionally will eradicate this risk. 

 

What To Do If You Think You Have Asbestos In Your Home

It is important not to disturb it by trying to repair or remove any asbestos materials yourself. If you are planning to bring in anyone to carry out repair to your property, you have a duty to inform them of any known or presumed asbestos materials in your home before they disturb it.

Please remember that it is illegal to dispose of Asbestos other than as hazardous waste at a licensed asbestos waste site. You can call AES Marconi  for free practical advice, or speak to the Environmental Health Officer at your local authority or council. 

 

What Is The Law Concerning Asbestos In Domestic Properties? 

If you are getting work done in your home, those doing the work have a duty in law to protect the householder and others. If the work involves products that contain asbestos, then the Control of Asbestos regulations also apply.
 
In an owner-occupied domestic property, the owner is not legally responsible for risks from asbestos as they, the owner, are not carrying out the work.
 

 

What To Do If You Think You Have Asbestos In Your Business Property

If you are responsible for the maintenance and/or repair of non-domestic premises, you are known as a Duty Holder, and are required to actively manage any asbestos in buildings. A duty holder may be a business owner, landlord or tenant, depending on the circumstances. 

As a Duty Holder, you are required by law to have a “Duty To Manage”, which means creating an Asbestos Register for your property and ensuring that asbestos in premises is located, recorded and managed. An Asbestos Survey will provide this information and AES Marconi can assist you with this - contact us for free advice.

Please remember that you are required by law to make information on the location and condition of the asbestos available to anyone liable to work on it, or disturb it. 

Employees involved in building maintenance work, or contractors working on the premises, should be told if the building contains, or may contain, asbestos. They should also be told where it is and that there are potential risks to their health if they disturb it.
 

Asbestos Consultancy, Surveys & Reports
Asbestos Consultancy, Surveys & Reports

We conduct asbestos surveys for a variety of reasons, such as a pre-purchase survey on a home, or as part of a business’ Asbestos Register requirement.

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Asbestos Removal
Asbestos Removal

Our experienced and reliable team will act quickly and efficiently to tackle asbestos in your property.

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Case Studies
Case Studies

AES Marconi manages over 250 asbestos removal jobs each year in both domestic and commercial properties. Learn more about our work.

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