What the Law says
If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic premises which may contain asbestos you have a legal duty to manage the risk from this material.
Asbestos is the greatest single cause of death in the work place. Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory medical condition affecting the parenchymal tissue of the lungs. It occurs after long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos and is therefore regarded as an occupational lung disease.
Lack of management of asbestos can lead to serious implications both for your employees and your business.
There are three main types of asbestos still found in premises today. These are commonly called 'blue asbestos' (crocidolite), 'brown asbestos' (amosite) and 'white asbestos' (chrysotile). All of them are dangerous, but blue and brown asbestos' are more hazardous than white, but unfortunately you cannot identify them by their colour.
Although it is now illegal to use asbestos in the construction or refurbishment of any premises, it was often used in building projects of the past. As long as it is in good condition and is not being or going to be disturbed or damaged there is no risk. But if it is disturbed or damaged, it can become a danger to health, because asbestos fibres are released into the air and people can breathe them in.
Up to 1.5m commercial, industrial and public buildings in the UK are likely to contain asbestos somewhere in the building. Unless this material is properly managed, anyone who has access to the buildings, including employees, the public and building/maintenance workers is at risk from breathing in the life-threatening fibres of asbestos.
How we can help
Shieldyourself's Asbestos services include:
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