Facilities
managers watch out - asbestos kills 3000 a year
If you own
or manage a workplace building which may contain asbestos, you need to
think about the risks of exposure.
In a move
that was welcomed by the Health & Safety Commission, the Deputy Prime
Minister announced today that a ban on the importation, supply and use
in Great Britain of white asbestos will be implemented on 24 November
1999.
There are
three types of the 'killer' material. Two of these, blue and brown asbestos,
have been prohibited since the mid 1980's. However, white asbestos has
been widely used in buildings and even in brake replacements. Asbestos
can be found in a variety of materials including sprayed coatings and
laggings, thermal insulation of pipes and boilers and some ceiling tiles.
According
to the Health & Safety Commission, 3000 people die every year from exposure
to asbestos, and the figure is expected to increase over the next few
years. Sufferers contract lung cancer, asbestosis or cancer of the chest
cavity after being exposed to asbestos dust, and there is no cure. Most
of the victims suffering from asbestos-related illnesses are electricians,
plumbers, building maintenance workers, shopfitters and carpenters.
These may
still be at risk if they work where white asbestos (chryostile) is used,
and added to the list are computer installers, cable installers, fire
alarm installers, window blind fitters and telecommunication engineers.
White asbestos
can be found in any building constructed or refurbished between 1950 and
the 1980's. The HSC publication Managing Asbestos: Workplace Buildings
says that asbestos is likely to be present if:
- the building
has a steel frame, or
- oilers
with thermal insulation
A spokesperson
told i-FM that asbestos could cover cabling or be used as insulation,
so electricians and carpenters needed to be especially careful when drilling
holes in case they come across the material.
Sir Frank
Davies, chairman of the HSC said: "It makes absolutely no sense at all
to continue using chrysotile products when we know that safer substitutes
can be used in most situations."
For further
information about asbestos, contact the Health and Safety Executive on
0114 289 2345.
Julie Crisp
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