HSG264 The Asbestos Surveyors Guide

Posted on July 15, 2010 with 2 Comments

The SHP reported that In January this year, the HSE published new guidance on asbestos surveying, which explicitly advocates the need to be able to demonstrate and ensure competency. Martin Gibson, Martin Stear and Jon Murthy explain how both surveyors and duty-holders can do so.

The HSE estimates that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are still present in some 500,000 commercial properties in the UK. No one really knows how much asbestos still remains in UK buildings but those built before 1999, when asbestos was finally banned, are likely to still contain some, with those pre-dating 1985, when blue and brown asbestos were banned, causing the most concern.

Duty to Manage Asbestos – Retailers Factsheet

Posted on July 14, 2010 with 2 Comments

What you need to know

The dangers presented to tradesmen working with asbestos are well known, and the Health and Safety Executive’s Hidden Killer campaign has done much to highlight the issue and raise awareness even further amongst those who are now most at risk – building and maintenance trades.

However, asbestos is not just an issue for tradesmen to consider, and it’s vital that those with responsibility for premises know what their duties are in relation to asbestos.

Schools cuts leave asbestos timebomb ticking

Posted on July 9, 2010 with 1 Comment

The Mirrors Asbestos Campaign has reproted this is devoted primary school teacher Gina Lees who was killed by an asbestos-related lung cancer after sticking her pupils’ pictures to asbestos ceiling tiles.

And there may be more like her after the ConDems’ decision this week to axe more than 700 school building and repair projects.

We’ve revealed that 90% of schools still contain the deadly fibres.

And they’ll stay there, slowly decaying as ceiling tiles and notice boards fall apart.

What is the asbestos risk to Nottingham tenants?

Posted on July 7, 2010 with 1 Comment

ASBESTOS was commonly used in house construction from the 1920s until 1970s when most of the Nottingham’s council estates were built. So the discovery that hundreds of council homes in the city contain the potentially lethal material is no surprise. However, the fact that 13 per cent of Asbestos surveyed properties – roughly 2,200 homes so far – have “high risk” material in them will worry tenants.

Jennifer Deakin, 60, of Brindley Road, Bilborough, where she has lived more than 30 years, has been told that amosite – a form of brown asbestos – is present in the living areas of her home.

Do you know where the Asbestos is in your home?

Posted on July 2, 2010 with 5 Comments

Prolonged or intense exposure to asbestos fibres can cause lung diseases but it can be safely managed at home.