Asbestos.

[nick182]

Hi guys,

I came across some asbestos today while working in a loft of someones home and to be honest with you. I really dont know much about it except that it can be fatal if disturbed. So while trawling the internet I came across some PDF files to help make others aware of what it is/ what it looks like and how it should be managed.
I kindly ask that if anyone who has come across asbestos to please comment and share your experiences and what WE can do to make others aware of it.
Some pictures would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Nick.

 

[Knobhead]

Not all asbestos is deadly. You need to talk to your local environmental health officer. I’ve only had cause to get them involved twice, each time for old switchgear. It turned out there wwas no problem.
It didn’t cost anything at that time but knowing councils now it probably does. But being alive and safe is better than dead and rich.
Asbestosis is the start of it, it then leads to pneumoconiosis, a horrible death. But it takes years to rear it’s ugly head.
Just thought I’d cheer you up.

 

[Superspark23]

Found pretty much everywhere, if your drilling in a wall that you suspect to contain asbestos then shaving foam is the best thing to use as this catches all the fine dust, then with a damp cloth wipe away and double bag, the HSE website has asbestos essicial forms that tells you what to do and how to work safely with it.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

shaving foam.....sounds like a good idea that.....what about a dribble of 77.......would that be any good as well......

 

[Guest112]

ive heard of the shaving foam idea a few times, ive worked with asbestos many times in the past had to do a job recently with asbestos ceilings and walls putting up emergency lighting had to gripfill fittings to the wall by clients request to avoid disturbing the asbestos (public building) lol surprisingly a very sturdy fix, switchgear is the most common occurance either being in the fuse carrier or sometimes asbestos rope seals around isolator doors etc

 

[BlueToBits]

shaving foam.....sounds like a good idea that.....what about a dribble of 77.......would that be any good as well......

Not as good as Brut 33

 

[benji]

nick where abouts in loft was it & what was it covering

 

[UNG]

It's the older buildings where the problems exist as asbestos hasn't been used since the early 80's

In domestic property the most likely place you will find asbestos is in the older artex the problem is where artex has fallen from favour and been skimmed over it was very popular to artex walls in the mid to late 70's so it is not just limited to ceilings. If you come across old storage heaters these are full of the stuff and the only way to get rid of them is to use an asbestos contractor to remove them

In the commercial sector buildings should have an asbestos report but you normally find it's only public buildings that have it done

 

[linuxthefish]

Most asbestos is fine if you leave it alone or don't drill into it. Shaving foam or even plain water is a great idea, been suggested that one before

 

[Eggster71]

Most asbestos is fine if you leave it alone or don't drill into it. Shaving foam or even plain water is a great idea, been suggested that one before

Only works on some asbestos mate. Some is waterproof, eg for water tanks, floor tiles etc etc. Foam and water won't work!

 

[alarm man]

Hi guys,

I came across some asbestos today while working in a loft of someones home and to be honest with you. I really dont know much about it except that it can be fatal if disturbed. So while trawling the internet I came across some PDF files to help make others aware of what it is/ what it looks like and how it should be managed.
I kindly ask that if anyone who has come across asbestos to please comment and share your experiences and what WE can do to make others aware of it.
Some pictures would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Nick.

if you are an employee your company should be giving you asbestos awareness training really,if your an employer you should be giving it to your employee's..

 

[Andy 7671]

Pretty sure asbestos was used to the late nineties. First port of call is the asbestos register, ask to see it.

Steels have been known to be sprayed with it, so if you see a shiny white steel think twice before banging a caddy clip on it. Perforated ceiling tiles contain it.

 

[alarm man]

Pretty sure asbestos was used to the late nineties. First port of call is the asbestos register, ask to see it.

Steels have been known to be sprayed with it, so if you see a shiny white steel think twice before banging a caddy clip on it. Perforated ceiling tiles contain it.

ask to see it,most make you read and sign it before you take your coat off,just presume its everywhere unless proved it isnt.

 

[Andy 7671]

Dont know if its universal but the ones Ive seen have severe limitations, ie, they wouldnt use any access equipment or visit confined space areas, just a cursory glance, sorry that a bit too flippant, just a survey of accessable areas. If theres a full on refurb,they do a destructive survey which is a lot more thorough.

Have heard of two seperate cases where the lift shafts werent investigated, opos are being monitored for a while into the future.

Cant say Im that fond of the material in new grid ceiling tiles either, I always wear a mask when drilling or cutting them, when finished, I brush my clothing down, wash hands and go and inhale some nicotine, clever man that I am.

 

[nickblake]

asbestos has not been used since the mid 80,s definatly not in the 90's here a little info about artex and asbestos
Asbestos in Artex


Artex is a trade name (along with Wondertex, Suretex, Newtex, Pebblecoat and Marblecoat ) which has come to be used to describe all thick plaster-like paints that were used to create decorative effects, most commonly on ceilings, but often on walls too. Up until 1984 these decorative paints manufacturers used small amounts (only 3-5%) of Chrysotile white asbestos in Artex. Within the buiding trade these are referred to as textured coatings and the non-asbestos versions are still used to this day. As you would expect its use is very much dictated by fashion but it was used extensively up until 1980s.
There are no overwhelming safety reasons to remove Artex asbestos. In fact, the opposite is true. The removal process (through scraping) disturbs the material and causes fibre release. Up until 2006 textured coating could only be removed by licensed contractors but this is no longer true. That said its always best to use a specialist when removing asbestos because they use techniques to prevent fibre release there are specialist products available that soak into the paint and turn it into a mulch that can be easily scraped off. This is not for the faint-hearted as these products contain some pretty unpleasant chemicals. You certainly need to wear adequate protective clothing to ensure that you don't get splashed.
More recently new products have become available that allow you to 'plaster' over the textured coating and produce a flat surface. These are certainly the cheapest and safest option but presumably the finish isn't too good (unless you're a plasterer).

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I realise it can be the cause of horrible diseases, but there is ALSO a touch of scare mongering. Usually so a specialist can charge a fortune. FOR EXAMPLE 6 year ago, housr in stroud, large lean-to made out od asbestos sheet. Got to go, what to do? Builder of course suggests burying it in garden, but as pinted out, if not broken/drilled etc its...safe. Booked a slot with council site (they have an asbestos container) loaded the unbroken sheets (bagged) into the container, job done. No special agents in NBC SUITS. At £600 a day required.



Anyway I'll have to go now I need to expectorate for 30 minutes.

 

[Marvo]

Here we don't make so much fuss about it. I actually sent my guys on an asbestos course for a day a few years ago although there is no legal requirement for that here.
Generally I'll pick it up during the survey stage if there's asbestos on a site and we'll plan accordingly or work around it. At worst if there's lots of it we'll include in the quote to give it a coat of paint to stabilize it. Customers and most companies are blissfully ignorant of it, I often see it being ripped out willy-nilly during building renovations and it just ends up in the skips along with all the other debris. I've only once seen a specialised team used to deal with it and this was for an international customer that worked to their own health and safety regulations.