Types of Asbestos	Legislative Requirements	Asbestos in Situ
Health Effects	General Notes	Additional References
Asbestos in Buildings	Disposal	Asbestos in materials
Typical building features containing asbestos

There are three common types of asbestos:

• Chrysotile (white)
• Amosite (brown)
• Crocidolite (blue)

Asbestos cannot be identified by product colour alone. Professional microscopic analysis is required for material type confirmation. All forms of asbestos are now banned by law and are not being imported, supplied or manufactured in the UK.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

Exposure to inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to a number of diseases including:

• Asbestosis or fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma

There are no known cures for asbestos related diseases. It is possible that repeated low-Ievel exposures can lead to asbestos related diseases, although high exposure for long periods is linked more clearly to these illnesses. It is reported that many of those suffering today from asbestos related diseases historically worked with the manufacture of asbestos containing products and building trades.

Asbestos related diseases are currently responsible for about 3000 deaths a year in Britain. There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos and the first symptoms of disease. This can vary between 5 and 40 years. The vast majority of those now dying were exposed to asbestos during the 1950s and 1960s, before the current regulations were introduced.

Although the body will get rid of most of the larger fibres that enter through the nose and mouth, tiny fibres can pass into the lower parts of the lung. Asbestos fibres can remain latent within the lungs for many years, eventually working their way through the lung lining leading to asbestos related diseases.

Asbestos is likely to be present within a building if:

• Built or refurbished between 1900 and 1999;
• Steel frame construction;
• Contains boilers and/or mechanical services with thermal insulation.

The use of asbestos has been widely used in the manufacture of many products and can be found mixed within a number of differing constituent materials. Much of this asbestos is still in situ and cannot easily be identified by its physical appearance.

Its most common uses are:

•Sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing, generally used as fire breaks in ceiling voids;
•Moulded or preformed sprayed coatings and lagging, generally used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers;
•Sprayed asbestos mixed with hydrated asbestos cement, generally used as fire protection In ducts, firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffits boards, ceiling panels and surrounding structural steel work;
•Insulation boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, wall partitions and ducts;
•Some types of ceiling tiles;
•Asbestos cement products are commonly found as corrugated or flat sheets used for roof and wall cladding. Cement products are also found in the form of gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks,
•Reinforced plastics, mastics and sealant;
•Millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical equipment. Asbestos paper has been used as a fireproof facing on wood fibreboard;
•Certain textured coatings, decorative plasters and paints;
•Asbestos ropes and cloth.

Within the United Kingdom, the following legislation is applied to all asbestos works:

All works on asbestos insulation, asbestos coatings and asbestos insulating board are subject to a 14-day notification period to the Health & Safety Executive and must be carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor in accordance with the following Acts and Regulations:

•Health and Safety at Work Act 1974;
•The "Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002” and the" Approved Code of Practice", "Work with asbestos which does not normally require a licence" (Fourth Edition) and "Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and asbestos insulating board" (Fourth Edition) as published by the Health and Safety Commission;
•The Construction {Design and Management) Regulations 1994;
•The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996;
•The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 as amended by the Asbestos (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1998;
•Control of Pollution Act 1974;
•Special Waste Regulations 1996;
•The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002;
•The Guidance Note HSG 189/2;
•Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Work on asbestos coatings, asbestos insulation and asbestos Insulating board, including removal or repairs require particularly strict control measures. Work methods on these materials must comply with Approved Code of Practice - Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and asbestos insulating board. (Fourth Edition) (Health and Safety Commission, revised December 2002).

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 requires employers to prevent the exposure of employees to asbestos. If this is not reasonably practicable the law states exposure should be controlled to the lowest possible level.

Before any work with asbestos is carried out, the Regulations require employers to make an assessment of the likely exposure of employees to asbestos dust. The assessment should include a description of the precautions which are to be taken to control dust release, and to protect workers and others who may be affected by that work. If you are employing a contractor to work in your building make sure that either the work will not lead to asbestos exposures or that they have carried out this assessment and identified work practices to reduce exposures.

The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1998 require that a contractor doing more than two hours work with asbestos lagging or asbestos coating must be licensed. But In view of the high risk associated with these materials HSE recommends that you use a licensed contractor regardless of the length of time the job is likely to take.

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 require the client to provide the planning supervisor with Information about the project, which is relevant to health and safety. This information might, for instance, include previous surveys of the building for asbestos. Not all projects come within the scope of these Regulations. For more Information it is advised that further guidance on the CDM Regulations is found.

When working with asbestos materials it is a requirement for the material to have been sampled and analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory. Following analysis of the material, the laboratory is required to issue a certificate of analysis that identifies the asbestos type. This information is essential to those who are required to work with asbestos containing materials.

The asbestos licensing regulations determine whether a licensed contractor is required to work with the materials. A licensed contractor is required to carry out work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and asbestos insulating board. If you come across any hidden or dusty materials that you suspect may contain asbestos, stop work and seek professional advice.

Summary

•Based on material type and analytical results, assess whether the work should be carried out by a specialist asbestos removal contractor (consult Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002);
•Assess the risk to health from any work undertaken with asbestos, and decide on appropriate precautions;
•Prevent or reduce asbestos exposure to the lowest level possible by applying suitable controls through banning the use of power tools, dampening the material. enclosing the work and using dust extraction equipment;
•Information, instruction and training must be provided to reduce the risks to those onsite;
•Suitable PPE and RPE must be provided to workers when working with asbestos;
•Ensure persons are appropriately trained in the use and storage of a respirator mask should persons be required to work with or near asbestos containing materials.

Asbestos waste, whether it includes small amounts of waste or large scale removal by contractors, is subject to waste management controls set out in the Special Waste Regulations 1996. Asbestos waste should be double-bagged in heavy-duty polythene bags and clearly labelled with the label prescribed for asbestos before it is transported to the disposal site. The waste can only be disposed of at a site licensed to receive asbestos waste materials.

Employees and contractors involved in building maintenance work should be informed of the locations, type, quantity and condition of asbestos materials identified in the building. Personnel should be made aware of the associated risks of working with or in close proximity to asbestos and disturbance of the material should be kept to a minimum. An Asbestos Register should be provided to personnel working on the premises to ensure locations of asbestos materials are known prior to commencing maintenance or refurbishment activities. If works involving asbestos containing materials are required:

•Firstly consider whether a Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor should be appointed to ensure the works are undertaken in safest, most professional manner.
•Keep all unnecessary personnel out of the work area:
•Take care not to create dust;
•Keep the material wet, whenever possible;
•Wear a suitable respirator and protective clothing;
•Clean up with a vacuum cleaner which complies with BS 5415 (Type 'H');
•Use hand tools over power tools whenever possible.

Additional References
HSE publications

•Asbestos Alert. A Workers Information Card for building, maintenance, repair and refurbishment workers IND (G) 188(P) 1995.
•Asbestos Dust - The Hidden Killer: Essential advice for building maintenance, repair and refurbishment workers IND (G) 187(L) 1995
•CDM Regulations: How the Regulations affect you. PML 54 1995
•Construction Information Sheet No 39 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994: The role of the client
•Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and asbestos insulating board (Fourth edition), Approved Code of Practice L28
•The Guidance Note HSG 189/1 Controlled Asbestos Stripping Techniques 1999
•The Guidance Note HS(G) 189/2 Working with Asbestos Cement 1999.

Asbestos in Materials
Asbestos Thermal Insulation (Plastic Magnesia Type)

This is a loosely bonded fibrous composition, with binder and filler powders that is mixed on site and applied by hand. The asbestos content is often highly variable, but some 15% to 40% of asbestos is commonly present. A mixture of one or more types of asbestos fibre may be present in the material.

Some form of painted surface seal normally encapsulates this, form of insulation. If the surface seal is defective this form of insulation is very friable.

Asbestos Thermal Insulation (Corrugated Paper Type)

This is a factory made sectional product formed of corrugated asbestos paper. The asbestos paper contains up to 100% of white asbestos (Chrysotile) but the material is not liable to be friable under normal handling circumstances.

Asbestos Thermal Insulation

Often found within ceiling voids, wall cavities, risers and floor voids. Thermal insulating to pipes is not often found to be uniform in its application or composition. Although a representative number of locations relative to the amount of the material may be examined and found to be non-asbestos, it is possible that asbestos has been incorporated in a number of isolated locations. An inner skin of asbestos pipe insulating or paper fining may also be found beneath a non-asbestos outer layer.

Lagging construction of this type is often difficult to identify without sampling and analysis.

Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB)

Asbestos insulating board is a relatively soft off-white board, which is moderately friable. The total asbestos content of insulating board is normally between 16-40%. The most common form of asbestos insulating board contains brown asbestos (Amosite) alone, or with a few percent of white asbestos (Chrysotile).

Asbestos Sprayed Coatings

Sprayed coating materials are often found within ceiling voids or on structural beams within premises. The asbestos is often not uniform in its application or composition. Although a representative number of locations relative to the amount of the material may be incorporated in a number of isolated locations. In areas where sprayed coating is found on ceilings or structural steelwork, it is often also present as over spray behind plaster applied to walls and beneath a screed floor.

Asbestos Cement

Asbestos cement products normally contain about 10-15% of asbestos, in a hard durable, non-friable cement matrix. The most common form of asbestos cement contains chrysotile asbestos. Work with the material is not required to be undertaken by a licensed contractor, however precautions should be taken to ensure that significant disturbance of the material does not occur and any grinding, drilling, or sawing of the material should be strictly avoided.

Asbestos Flash Strips (Fused Switchgear/Fuse Boxes)

In many locations asbestos flash strips are found within fused switch gear, fuse boards or behind ceramic fuses. The flash strips are formed from a raw, friable asbestos blanket material that protects the ceramic from damage when the fuse wire melts. Such fused switch gear fuse boxes are classed as asbestos contaminated and must have 'warning asbestos’ signs applied. The asbestos type is normally chrysotile with a content of up to 85% asbestos.

Asbestos Duct Joint Material

Asbestos gasket material can be found between flanged joints on metal ductwork. The asbestos duct gaskets are formed from raw, friable asbestos blanket material. Left in situ, in good condition, they do not pose any potential hazard. Removal must be performed under controlled conditions by a licensed asbestos removal contractor.

Asbestos Pipe Joint Material

Asbestos gasket material can be found between flanged joints in piping systems. While in situ, asbestos gaskets do not constitute a health hazard unless maintenance works are to be undertaken. Therefore, safe-working procedures must be adopted when dismantling flanges, pipe sections and other mechanical equipment.

This asbestos is normally chrysotile of greater than 10% asbestos content.

Asbestos Containing Floor Tiles

Thermoplastic floor tiles often contain asbestos within the bonded material, or it may be contained within the adhesive used to affix the tiles. The risk of fibre release under normal occupation is minimal. All floor tiles are usually assumed to contain asbestos until sampled. When removed, they must be disposed of as a Special Waste.

Asbestos Containing Bituminous Roof Felt

Bituminous products may contain asbestos in low concentrations. Without sampling and analysis, it is very difficult to determine the presence of asbestos in these products, but the risk of fibre release is extremely low.

Typical Building Features Containing Asbestos
Ceiling Voids

Ceiling voids are not normally checked in occupied areas for safety reasons. Entering ceiling voids carries a high risk of fibre release from the disturbance of any asbestos material within it, which may contaminate the areas below. In general, ceiling voids may only be checked in unoccupied areas where safe access is available. Ceiling voids are often found to contain typical installations such as pipe work, AIB panels and fire protection products.

Wall Cavities

Detected only if shown on building construction plans or during demolition. Wall cavities potentially contain sprayed asbestos and asbestos packing for fire protection.

Risers

Asbestos within risers may only be detected if shown on building construction plans or during demolition. In certain circumstances, entering riser shafts can carry a high risk of fibre release from the disturbance of any asbestos material within it, which could contaminate adjacent areas. Typical asbestos products include pipe work lagging and AIB panels, providing fire protection and insulation.

Floor Voids

Floor voids often contain asbestos materials such as pipe lagging and asbestos debris. Precautions should be taken when entering voids.

Windows

Asbestos panels may be located above or below windows that may be concealed. In addition, asbestos may be present in the form of glazing mastic. The purpose of asbestos materials in these locations is often to provide fire protection between compartments to a building.

External Areas

Asbestos products can be found in various external locations and may include items such as rainwater goods and protective panels. The most common forms used are typically asbestos cement sheeting used for roofs and wall panels. Asbestos in external locations generally present a lower risk to health due to lower ambient concentrations of asbestos fibres within the air.

Trunking/Ductwork

May contain asbestos internally as ventilation linings or gaskets that are not visible until the trunking is disassembled. Often found within ceiling voids (see above).

Fire Doors

May contain an inner sandwich layer or strips of asbestos, which can often only be viewed when the door is completely disassembled.

Lift Shafts

Doors and shaft may be lined with asbestos insulating panels. Lifts will not be checked for safety reasons unless they are known to be isolated.

Electrical Boxes

Live electrical boxes are not checked for safety reasons. Flash guards and fuses will only be examined if the boxes are known to be isolated.

Boilers

Asbestos may be present internally in the form of boiler linings and gaskets, which are not visible until dismantled.

Refrigerators, Cold Rooms, Safes and Kilns

Asbestos may be present internally in the form of internal linings and gaskets, which are not visible until dismantled.

Heater Units

Sealed heater units are often lined with asbestos or have insulating blocks containing asbestos within them but cannot be examined until dismantled.

Fire Break Boards

Original asbestos boards may be covered with Supalux or plasterboard to increase fire ratings at a later date. Often found within ceiling voids and floor voids {see above).

Flange Gaskets

Asbestos flange gaskets or CAF (compressed asbestos fibre) gaskets are not usually visible until the pipework is dismantled. All gaskets are usually presumed to contain asbestos and to be disposed of as a Special Waste when replaced during the course of routine maintenance.

Roof Slates

Asbestos roof slates are commonly found to be made of asbestos cement and are often located on the eaves as well as on roofs.

Wall Fixings

Loose asbestos was often used as a plugging material for wall fixings. The asbestos material was usually covered with wallpaper, painted or plastered over.

Debris

Often found within ceiling voids, wall cavities, risers or floor voids (see above). Small amounts of asbestos debris are very difficult to locate and may be present at any location. General debris containing asbestos cannot be identified without sampling and analysis techniques. It is often prudent to sample debris were previous asbestos removal or disturbance has occurred.

Encapsulated Debris

Small amounts of debris may have been painted over after historical removal works during refurbishment. This is a common occurrence in plant rooms.

Asbestos Materials behind Known Asbestos

Asbestos ceilings and panels may conceal further asbestos materials behind them, such as asbestos lagged pipes. This would not be known until the ceiling or panels were removed.