Asbestos News
The Importance of Asbestos Surveys for Commercial Properties: A Guide for Business Owners and Directors
Introduction Asbestos, a once-popular construction material, poses significant health risks. Business owners and property managers must prioritise the safety of employees, customers, and visitors. This guide emphasises the importance of asbestos surveys in commercial...
Managing Asbestos on Farms: A Crucial Guide to Safety
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral once extensively used in construction, poses a significant health risk when its fibres become airborne and are inhaled. While the use of asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999, it can still be found in many older...
What To Do With An Asbestos Garage Roof
If you’ve recently learned that your garage roof has some Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs), or even if you just suspect that this might be the case, you’re no doubt wondering what to do about it. And you’ll be keen to know whether it can be easily removed with...
Reasons To Have An Asbestos Survey When Buying a New Home
At Crucial Environmental, we’re often asked about how important (or otherwise) it is to have an asbestos survey carried out when buying a new home, so we thought we’d dedicate a blog to the subject. Perhaps the first thing to say is that, while of course there are...
Asbestos Removal: Why It’s Best Left To The Professionals
We all know that asbestos is a highly hazardous material which releases dangerous particles when disturbed. Yet, surprisingly, when it comes to asbestos removal, it’s not always carried out in the safest possible way, or by those with the right training to really know...
Does finding asbestos affect your house price?
Asbestos is certainly a word that can worry homebuyers. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring material that was widely used in building construction for many years, especially during and before the 1980s. Despite the fact that it was banned from use in 1999, many homes...
Is Artex hiding danger in your home?
If you’ve purchased an older home, you may be met with Artex on the ceilings. It was used internally and externally in properties up until the mid-1980s to create a textured coating and pattern to surfaces. But what you may not realise is that this previously popular...
Asbestos in tiles: how to spot it and deal with it
For many years asbestos was considered to be an extremely valuable material. With a wide range of uses thanks to its insulating and strengthening properties, it was used for sound proofing, mixed into cement, and as a constituent part of many coatings and...
Why is asbestos dangerous during demolition work?
Asbestos has been entirely banned from use in the UK since 1999, but this hazardous substance can still be found in properties across the country. For many years, asbestos was used for its many positive properties in the construction sector. The material is excellent...
How to tell if you have been exposed to asbestos
Asbestos is naturally occurring material that has been banned from use in the UK for more than 20 years. Unfortunately, prior to be banned it was a substance that was commonly used for a wide range of construction and decorating purposes in residential, commercial and...
Most common health risks of asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring substance that was used for a number of years as a building material due to its range of useful properties. Unfortunately, asbestos can also be dangerous, and it is best to avoid it if at all possible. People who come into contact...
What are the legal issues around removing asbestos yourself?
Asbestos is a dangerous substance that is banned from use in the UK. Unsurprisingly, there are a number of legal obligations and complexities for owners of buildings who discover that asbestos is present somewhere on the premises. Asbestos could potentially be found...
What are the legal obligations for businesses surrounding asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that can be dangerous to human health. It was previously used extensively in construction until it was banned outright from use in the UK in 1999. As a great deal of asbestos remains in properties, businesses have legal...
Is Asbestos Removal Always Necessary?
Asbestos was a popular building material prior to the 1970s, until it was discovered to be a carcinogen. It’s typically found in duct and pipe insulation, loft insulation, floor tiles and cement asbestos siding. But exposure to asbestos has life-threatening risks...
Asbestos removal guide for 2021
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that was used for many years in a variety of different ways as a part of building construction. Unfortunately, it was gradually understood that asbestos fibres, when breathed into the lungs, can have a disastrous effect on...
Buying an older home: How to deal with asbestos
Asbestos is one of those words that no homebuyer wants to hear. Subsidence is another one – but that’s a whole other story. Here at Crucial Environmental, we deal with asbestos-related enquiries on a daily basis, so we thought we would share our expert knowledge. So,...
How Covid-19 is affecting asbestos removal
There can be no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive effect on everyone across the world including both individuals and businesses. However, it isn’t always appreciated that the pandemic has made it very difficult to carry out work that can be deemed...
What are the dangers of asbestos removal?
Asbestos is well known as a carcinogenic material. It was banned from use in 1999, but had been used extensively in the construction of all types of buildings including houses and flats through the 1960s and 1970s. So, it may well be the case that you could find that...
What to do if you find asbestos at home
Many people assume that there simply can’t be asbestos in their home. Firstly, they might reason that any asbestos would have been removed by now, as the material was banned from use in 1999. Secondly, they could believe that they would have been told about asbestos...
Should you have an asbestos survey before buying a property?
If you are buying a property it is natural to want to gather as much information as possible to ensure that you are making an informed decision. Almost all homebuyers will invest in a survey of the property to make sure that it is free from underlying issues and...
Protecting your pets from asbestos exposure
Asbestos is well known as a substance that is dangerous for humans. When the fibres are released into the atmosphere they can be breathed into the lungs. Exposure to asbestos is directly linked to a number of very serious chronic conditions and can decrease quality of...
How to dispose of asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that was used for many years in construction and interior design. But unfortunately, it was revealed that asbestos can also be a major health hazard for anyone who is exposed to the material when fibres have been allowed to...
When and why was asbestos used?
Today it is well known that asbestos is an extremely dangerous material that can be responsible for a large number of very serious medical conditions. When people are exposed to asbestos fibres – especially over a long period of time – they can breathe the fibres into...
Where should you look for asbestos?
Well known as a substance that is dangerous for human health, asbestos was commonly used as a building material up until it was entirely banned in the UK in 1999. However, buildings built before 1999 can still contain asbestos and it is important for owners of both...
Does your business need an asbestos management plan?
If your business owns its premises or is responsible for the premises it works in, then it may be the case that you need an asbestos management plan. Asbestos was once an extremely commonly used building material, prized for its insulation property and its ability to...
The importance of asbestos surveys before demolition
If you are taking in part of the demolition of either the whole of a building or part of the premises, it is essential to establish first whether asbestos is present. If asbestos is present in a building when it is demolished it can cause huge problems with dangerous...
Are asbestos surveys a legal requirement?
Asbestos surveys provide an extremely important function for both residential and commercial properties – but we are often asked whether they are actually a legal requirement. Asbestos surveys in of themselves are not a specific legal requirement, however, in many...
Does Your Business Need Decontamination For COVID-19?
Businesses are facing a very different landscape in the wake of COVID-19. Things that would have unthinkable just months ago are today a completely normal part of business practice. This has had a huge impact on companies and organisations across the country, from...
Do you need an asbestos air test?
If you believe that you have dislodged or damaged asbestos, or materials that contain asbestos, it is necessary to take precautions in order to reduce the risk of individuals being exposed to the substance. Asbestos is a danger to human health when fibres from the...
Protecting children from asbestos
Asbestos can be especially dangerous to children as they may not understand the dangers associated with the substance. It is natural to want to ensure your children are as safe as possible, so here are some tips to help you protect your children against asbestos. Have...
Three asbestos myths you need to know
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that was widely used in construction and across many other industries until it was banned in the UK in 1999. However, while many people know that it is a dangerous substance, there are also many myths about it that can muddy...
What to do if you find asbestos in your workplace?
Asbestos in the workplace can pose a danger to staff and members of the public if it is not dealt with appropriately. Here we provide some top tips for what to do if you believe that you may have found asbestos on your property. Don’t try to deal with it yourself The...
Three places asbestos could be hiding in your home
Do you need a Home Buyer Asbestos Survey? If you have lived in the same property for a long time, or even if you have bought a property recently, you might believe that there is no chance that it contains asbestos. However, it should be noted that if a property was...
Asbestos or not? How to tell the difference
It can be very difficult to tell if you have asbestos in your property. Whilst asbestos is a huge danger to human health it is also often misunderstood, and this means that you could be living with the material in your property for a long time without...
Do you need asbestos air testing?
Whenever a property contains asbestos, and that asbestos is disturbed, fibres can be released into the atmosphere. And it is here that they can be harmful to human health. This means that before it is safe to re-use the property it may be necessary to have asbestos...
Should we still worry about asbestos?
Following the recent release of the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) report, asbestos-related deaths are currently at an all-time high, having almost doubled since 1995. As such, Britain’s death toll from asbestos is said to be at a ‘crisis level’, with 2,523...
Six unexpected places to find asbestos
Back in early June 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert warning people to stop using the Claire’s Jojo Siwa Makeup Set. This was because the product was found to have tested positive for asbestos, which led us to thinking: what other...
Crucial Environmental – Should I get an asbestos survey before I move in?
When it comes to buying a new home, there is a lot to think about before you make a final decision. You may want to get a survey carried out so that you can get a good idea of the state of the property. This will help to inform your purchase and alert you to any...
Three more myths about asbestos
Asbestos is scary stuff. After all, it’s not only illegal to use, but it’s also dangerous to human health. Knowing your stuff about asbestos – what it is, how to identify it, why it’s so dangerous – is therefore incredibly important. That said, a number of myths still...
The science behind asbestos
Asbestos is well-known as a material that can cause detrimental effects to health, stimulating the development of several harmful diseases. But, how exactly does asbestos cause such harm? And what is the science behind its mechanism of action? To understand this, we...
Asbestos in the workplace – Is There Asbestos In Your Office?
Asbestos was a highly popular product throughout the 1970s and the 1980s as it had a wide range of applications that it could be used for. This included insulation, spray coatings, concrete and more. Unfortunately, the dangers of asbestos were not fully known at the...
Myths about asbestos at home
Having asbestos in a home environment can be dangerous under certain conditions. However, there are a number of myths about asbestos at home – and given the risks to human health surrounding the material, it’s important to understand the truth from the fiction. Here...
What are the dangers of asbestos?
A dangerous material that can be extremely damaging to human health, asbestos was completed banned in the UK twenty years ago in 1999. And yet, asbestos is still considered in a major health risk to people today. In fact, it is responsible for more than 5,000 deaths...
Should I buy a home with asbestos?
Many home buyers are put off by the idea of buying a property simply at the mention of the word ‘asbestos’. But is asbestos really all that dangerous? And should you give up on your dream home because it contains asbestos? Here we take a look at some of the key facts...
When is asbestos dangerous to humans?
Asbestos has a reputation for being a material that is extremely dangerous. That reputation is well deserved – it is responsible for thousands of deaths in the UK every year. But it is also true that this perception of the material can actually contribute to making it...
Merry Christmas from Crucial Environmental
The team at Crucial Environmental would like to wish a Merry Christmas to all of our employees, customers, suppliers and partners. 2018 has been a great year for Crucial Environmental and our staff are looking forward to some quality time with their family over the...
Where might you find asbestos at work?
Are you concerned about asbestos in the workplace? Asbestos is still surprisingly common in commercial and industrial properties around the UK. Here we provide details on some of the places you might find asbestos at work. Offices You might assume that you are...
Is asbestos still dangerous?
There can be no doubt that asbestos is a very dangerous material. In the UK, two forms of asbestos were banned from use in 1985, and then in 1999 the government took further steps to completely ban asbestos from use in the country. It is nearly 20 years since that...
Protecting your pets from asbestos exposure
Asbestos is well known as a substance that is dangerous for humans. When the fibres are released into the atmosphere they can be breathed into the lungs. Exposure to asbestos is directly linked to a number of very serious chronic conditions and can decrease quality of...
What is asbestos and why was it used?
Asbestos is well known now for being a substance that is very dangerous for people to be around. However, it is often misunderstood. For example, some people believe that asbestos can no longer be found in any modern properties or that it cannot possibly be present in...
Asbestos: when and when not to worry
Even if you don’t know very much about asbestos, you might assume that if you found asbestos on your property that you would need to worry. After all, asbestos is an extremely hazardous material to human health and causes thousands of deaths in the UK every year. But...
Why was asbestos such a popular material?
Asbestos is a very hazardous material to human health, but it was used for many years in construction and across a huge range of industries. Given the risks and dangers that it poses, many people wonder why asbestos ever become so popular. Here we look at some of the...
Asbestos and DIY: Dos and Don’ts
DIY and asbestos can be a bad combination if you aren’t careful. Having asbestos in your home does not necessarily put you at risk, but DIY increases the likelihood of disturbing the material. Here are some of the dos and don’ts of DIY and asbestos to ensure that you...
3 materials that you didn’t know contain asbestos
Asbestos was banned completely from use in the UK in 1999. But up until then it has been a very commonly used material in many forms of building and construction. It is well known that asbestos has been used for its strong insulation properties, and therefore can be...
Workplace asbestos: fact or fiction?
Is there asbestos in your workplace, and should you be worried about it? Here we look at the fact and fiction of workplace asbestos. Fact or fiction? All dangerous forms of asbestos have already been removed Fiction. It is true that all forms of asbestos were banned...
Four things you need to know about asbestos removal
If you have asbestos at your home or workplace you might believe that you need to have it removed. It is true that you can call in professionals to get the material removed from your property or, if you have the experience, you can carry out the removal yourself....
Do I need an asbestos survey before buying a flat?
If you are buying a new home you will be faced with a number of options regarding surveys on the property. Standard home buying surveys carried out by surveyors are an important part of the purchasing process, but they won’t always tell the whole story. Typically,...
Does your garage have asbestos?
If you have a garage that was built before 1999, there is a possibility that it will contain asbestos somewhere in the building materials. Asbestos was widely used in a number of different areas of construction due to its versatility and range of benefits, but the...
The dangers of asbestos in the workplace
Many people only associate the risk of asbestos with specific jobs such as miners and those in building trades. However, asbestos is a material that was used for a long time for a range of different construction purposes. This means that it can still be found in many...
DIY advice: should you be worried about asbestos?
If you are about to start carrying out DIY tasks around the house, it could be worth taking a minute to think about asbestos. You might assume that asbestos is not a problem you need to worry about – the substance was banned from use in 1999 – however, asbestos can...
Should you remove asbestos yourself?
If you have discovered that you have some form of asbestos in your property – whether at home or at work – it is natural that you would want to look into ways to remove it. Asbestos is well known as a very dangerous material that is the cause of many fatal conditions...
When is asbestos dangerous?
Many homes and business premises across the UK contain asbestos. This material is known to be hazardous to human health, but it was still being used in many different forms of construction up until 1999 when it was completely banned. This means that many of us live...
Should first-time buyers worry about asbestos?
If you are buying a property for the first time there are a lot of things that you need to think about. This means something like asbestos can get pushed low down on your list of priorities. You might believe that asbestos is no longer a problem in the UK given that...
How should I get rid of asbestos?
Asbestos is well known as a dangerous substance, and it is one that is found in many homes, offices and industrial premises across the UK. The problem is that if asbestos gets disturbed and fibres are allowed to get into the atmosphere it can present a long-term risk...
Protecting your family from asbestos exposure
Asbestos can go undetected in properties for a long time, and often it can be a surprise to a homeowner as they learn their family has been living in close proximity to this potentially dangerous substance for a long time. It could be the case that you have uncovered...
Is there asbestos in your office?
If you own a businesses with premises or are responsible for any kind of commercial office, you have a duty to manage any asbestos on the property and ensure that the risk of exposure for the people working in them is minimal. If you work in an office it is reasonable...
When should you have asbestos removed?
If you believe that you have asbestos either somewhere in your own home or asbestos removal, you might be concerned. Asbestos is well-known as a dangerous substance that has been banned from use in the UK since 1999. Many people, on finding out they have asbestos...
Unexpected places you might find asbestos
Whether in the house or at work, you might be surprised at just how many places you can find asbestos. Now widely known as a very dangerous material, asbestos was once used for all sorts of building purposes from insulation to its fire retardant properties. Asbestos...
Is asbestos always found in Artex?
If you are considering buying or have recently purchased a property and it contains Artex ceiling coatings, you might be concerned that the coating will contain asbestos. It is certainly true that asbestos was commonly used in Artex and other kinds of ceiling...
Why you need an asbestos survey before refurbishment
Are you considering having a part of a commercial property refurbished? If so, asbestos might not be the first thing on your mind, but in order to ensure the safety of anyone working on the site, as well as the health and well-being of individuals in the building...
Your legal responsibilities with asbestos
You are probably already aware of the dangers of asbestos. This substance, widely used in construction until it was banned in 1999, claims the lives of thousands of people every year. But you might not be aware of what your legal responsibilities are when it comes to...
Asbestos: fact or fiction?
Asbestos is well known as a banned construction material that causes harm to human health – but can you sort the asbestos facts from the asbestos fiction? It is illegal to have asbestos in a workplace in the UK. Fact or fiction? Fiction. The Asbestos Regulations 1999...
Why you need an asbestos survey
Whether you are a homeowner, a home buyer or are responsible for business premises, an asbestos survey can be something that is absolutely essential. Any building that was built before 2000 could contain asbestos, so it is vital for you to take all relevant...
Worried about asbestos? Tips to keep you safe
Are you concerned that there might be asbestos in your home or workplace? Asbestos is well-known as a potentially dangerous material to be around, but there are plenty of things that you can do to minimise the risk and keep yourself safe. Here are some top tips about...
What asbestos can I remove myself?
Despite the fact that asbestos was banned from use in the UK in 1999, it is still fairly commonly found in homes and places of work across the country. In a workplace that you are responsible for, there are strict rules regarding your duty of care set down in the...
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos is well known as a very dangerous material than can be extremely hazardous to human health – so much so that asbestos is responsible for the deaths of more than 5,000 people every year. But asbestos was completely banned from use in the UK in 1999, so...
Are asbestos surveys mandatory?
We are often asked whether asbestos surveys are a mandatory requirement, either for owners of residential or commercial properties. The truth is that it depends on the specific circumstances of the property. It’s also true that while sometimes it’s not necessarily...
Three reasons you need an asbestos survey
Asbestos can be a potentially very dangerous substance; it can lead to a number of debilitating and eventually fatal conditions simply if you become exposed to the fibres. Here are three important reasons that you need to have an asbestos survey carried out. 1 - It...
Should you buy a house with asbestos in?
It’s a situation that has happened to many prospective home buyers. You’ll find the perfect property in a prime location and it’s within your budget. But just as you’ve set your heart on the idea of making it your new home, the seller reveals that they believe...
Asbestos at work? What you need to know – Part Two
This is part two of our two-part blog on asbestos at work. Here we’ll go through how you can reduce the risk of asbestos and what you should do if you find suspicious material while you are at work. Reducing the risk of asbestos Working in a building with asbestos is...
Asbestos at work? What you need to know – Part One
This is part one of a two-part blog on asbestos at work. Asbestos can be found in almost any workplace around the UK, so it’s important that you understand it and know exactly what you need to do to protect yourself from it. What is asbestos and what are the risks?...
Avoiding asbestos exposure during DIY
Recent evidence has come to the light that suggests that some of the people most at risk of asbestos exposure are those carrying out DIY at home. In the past, miners and transport workers were some of the most likely to develop asbestos-related diseases, but as...
How to keep your children safe from asbestos
Asbestos is a very dangerous material – and this is especially true for children, who may not yet understand the risks that can be present in a building that contains asbestos. It is up to their school to ensure that these premises are safe and children are not at...
Five things you didn’t know about asbestos
Asbestos is a very dangerous material that was banned from use in the UK in 1999. And while most people are aware of the risks posed by asbestos, there are some interesting facts that very few people realise. Here are five things that you didn’t know about asbestos....
Dos and don’ts of asbestos
Asbestos could be hiding in any UK property that was built before 1999 as it was widely used for a range of purposes for many years. So the chances are that at some point you might have to deal with it, whether that’s within your own home or at work premises....
Three things you should never do with asbestos
It’s widely known that asbestos is dangerous. But many people don’t realise the mistakes that they commonly make with the substance. Here are three things that you should never do with asbestos: 1 - Ignore it Perhaps the worst thing that you can do with asbestos is to...
What does asbestos look like?
Many people know that asbestos is very dangerous substance and one that can be found in homes and workplaces across the UK – but it’s also clear that a large number of people aren’t sure how to identify it. One of the most common questions regarding asbestos is: what...
Why you need a home buyer asbestos survey
When you’re buying a home there is so much to think about, so you could be forgiven for overlooking the risk of asbestos. One of the most popular services we offer is our home buyer asbestos survey. This is a survey that we carry out before you purchase a property to...
How to Identify Asbestos at Home
Asbestos can be a huge health risk and many people worry that they might have asbestos in their home. The truth is that it is possible you do have the material somewhere on your property. So how can you identify asbestos in your home? Let’s have a look. How to tell if...
Common Myths about Asbestos – Part 2
In our previous blog we covered many of the common myths surrounding asbestos and how this could potentially be a danger to your health. Here is the second part, with more misconceptions about the substance. Myth: Asbestos is an immediate health hazard It’s a common...
Common Myths about Asbestos – Part 1
Asbestos is one of the most dangerous substances that can be commonly found in the home or workplace. But the substance is not particularly well understood. That means there are many myths and misconceptions about asbestos that can actually be potentially be dangerous...
Most common places you will find asbestos
Asbestos has a reputation for being a hugely dangerous substance, but you may not realise that it can be in seemingly innocuous places around the home or in the workplace. These are five of the most common places that you will find asbestos – but please remember that...
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Many people are aware that asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause serious harm to human health – but others don’t really understand why it’s important to avoid being in close proximity to it. According to government statistics, asbestos is still responsible...
Asbestos in the workplace: do’s and don’ts
Are you concerned that you might have asbestos in your workplace? Asbestos is famously a huge hazard to health and whether you are an employer or an employee, you need to make sure you’re aware of the dangers associated with working in close proximity to it. Here are...
Five frequently asked questions on Asbestos
Despite its reputation for be dangerous to human health, asbestos can be found in homes and places of work across the UK. Even though it is very common, many people don’t understand asbestos especially well, so here are answers to five of the most frequently asked...
Finding Asbestos in the Home; What to Do
If your home was built before the 1999, there is a chance that there are asbestos-containing materials present in your home. Don't panic! The presence of asbestos-containing materials in the home is no cause for alarm in and of itself if those materials are not...
Identifying and Reporting Dumped Asbestos
While asbestos has been ruled as a dangerous material since 1985 when brown and blue asbestos was banned as it was found to have links to mesothelioma, asbestos is still a material than can be commonly found in many buildings today. Unless the asbestos is removed by...
Uncommon Uses for Asbestos
While many homes built before 2000 may contain asbestos in several different structural elements, it may be surprising that asbestos was not used solely in the home. It was also used in a wide variety of different products. Although many of those products have...
Asbestos in Schools is Still a Real Threat
With an estimated 2 million buildings across the country still rumoured to contain asbestos, experts have warned that this could lead to over 60,000 related deaths in children over the next 30 years. Unfortunately, as most – if not all - schools constructed between...
Demolishing a building? You need a demolition survey
Before having all or part of a building demolished, it’s essential for you to have a demolition survey carried out by an asbestos specialist. Asbestos was very widely used in construction throughout the 20th century in the UK. Unfortunately it has now been established...
Why your business needs an asbestos management plan
Asbestos was once commonly used for insulation in construction. But after it was revealed that long-term exposure to asbestos can lead to a range of debilitating and deadly lung conditions, it was completely banned from use in the UK. Since the Control of Asbestos...
Fly tipping especially asbestos waste
Fly tipping especially asbestos waste - what effects does it have on the environment? Fly tipping is the dumping of waste on land without the consent of the landowner and is illegal. It is seen more often in country areas, where there are lots of fields and woodland...
Different Types of Asbestos Materials
Different Types of Asbestos Materials We are all, hopefully, aware of the dangers of asbestos and how it was once extremely prevalent in our building industry. This caused untold amounts of damage to those closely involved in the installation of the asbestos and those...
The Use of Asbestos
The Use of Asbestos Nowadays, everyone knows about the dangers of asbestos use. However, it may surprise you to find out that we have been using asbestos for thousands of years and are only now insisting on the safe use and handling of this material. Use of Asbestos...
How to check for asbestos
How to check for asbestos in your home How can we identify Asbestos at home? In the event your home was built before 1999; there is a great possibility for it to have asbestos in it. Regrettably, asbestos fibres are so tiny that they cannot be seen with the naked eye....
Top safety tips for considering asbestos when doing DIY
Top tips for considering asbestos when doing DIY If you believe that you may have discovered asbestos in your property, the first rule is not to touch it. Asbestos is a danger in the home after it is disturbed in a manner that creates dust containing asbestos fibres....
Asbestos Disposal
Where to get rid of asbestos and why using a professional is safer for Asbestos Disposal. The majority of the products manufactured nowadays do not contain asbestos. Those few products manufactured, which still do have asbestos that could be inhaled are needed to be...
Asbestos Stories Making The News
Asbestos Concerns for Health & Safety The importance of using a professional company, who take Health & Safety as the most important aspect in their work, to not only protect their customers, the public but also employees; is paramount in all they do. Here at...
Asbestos Concerns for places of work
Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous material. Due to its durability and resistance to heat and flame, asbestos has been utilised in dozens of occupations and industries for decades. But, long before its popularity in industry peaked, asbestos was linked to...
Increase in number of people in Wales dying from asbestos-related diseases
The has been an increase in the number of people in Wales dying from asbestos-related diseases increasing, according to new figures released by the Office of National Statistics. There were 116 people in Wales who died from mesothelioma last year alone, up from 95 in...
Dangers from asbestos when doing DIY
Despite several campaigns put in place to persuade homeowners to be conscious of the risks of asbestos in older homes, the majority of us could still not recognize it perhaps we come across while carrying out some DIY work. Although professionals may be able to tell...
Asbestos News Round-up 2015
Diseases through asbestos related causes lead to more deaths in the UK every year than those killed in road accidents. The figures are growing in number too, predicted to peak next year. The chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, Dame Helena Shovelton has...
So you think you have asbestos?
Asbestos in the home can be a latent risk, since many of the products and materials of isolation that were used in the construction of homes before the mid-1980s contained asbestos. This is a material that was considered miraculous for decades for its fire resistance...
Where and why asbestos was used in housing
The risk of asbestos exposure in homes in the UK is very real and is of great concern among public health officials and the public in general, often asking the question Where and why asbestos was used in housing! The environmental protection in the UK has described...
Asbestos Health & Safety
What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a material that was regularly used in buildings from the 1950s until the 1990s. It is a natural, fibrous material and still found in many buildings today. Asbestos was often used for insulation or as a solution for fire proofing. For this...
Asbestos in the home
Regarded as a miracle material capable of supporting a wide range of uses, asbestos found its way in a variety of products up to the early 1980’s. Things such as felt, gloves, and even waterproof jackets have contained asbestos. It often appeared in products used in...
Cancer and Building Trades
It has been seen through time that those working in the construction industries have a much higher risk of developing cancer from their job than other industries. Worries about cancer and Building Trades are always a concern. Even today, with more stringent risk...
Asbestos Related Diseases
Asbestos Related Diseases are a big concern to a lot of people, here we discuss relevant illnesses from asbestos contact. Asbestos is dangerous when its fibres are released. If these are inhaled, they can arrive at an appropriate length and thickness deep into the...
Asbestos Concerns
Diseases through asbestos-related causes lead to more deaths in the UK every year than those killed in road accidents. The figures are growing in number too, predicted to peak next year. The chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, Dame Helena Shovelton has...
Asbestos Information and Resources
If asbestos is affecting your home or business or if you just want to know more about the subject, then listed below are a range of valuable websites packed with useful advice. https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/ One of the best places to begin your search, the HSE...
What an Asbestos Management Plan should specify
Asbestos Management Plan The greatest risk when removing asbestos occurs by inhaling its fibres. This is more likely to occur to those who repair or remove asbestos-containing materials as any remaining suspended particles may be released into the atmosphere. This is...
Removing Asbestos
Why it is essential to use asbestos specialists In many old buildings, there is still asbestos present. It is a fibrous material which is not flammable. It was employed mainly as a fire protective covering during the construction of buildings. As we know today,...
Asbestos-Related Diseases – The Facts and Figures
A rise in asbestos-related diseases The number of asbestos-related diseases in the construction industry continues to rise. Therefore, when demolition, renovation and maintenance workers continue to come into contact with asbestos, the highest standard of safety is...
Developer Fined for Disregarding Safe Asbestos Removal Procedures
Safe Asbestos Removal Procedures A developer has been fined (including costs) £100,000 for exposing employees to asbestos. He has also been given an eight month suspended prison sentence. The developer knew asbestos insulating board was present and formed part of the...
Builders fined for illegal asbestos removal
Two builders have been sentenced for exposing householders and themselves to asbestos. The two self employed builders illegally removed and broke up asbestos panels from a home in Birmingham. The City Council had taken sample of materials from the garage of the home...
Workers Exposed to Asbestos without Asbestos Management Plans
Lack of Asbestos Management Plans Endangers Workers A cladding installation business owner has been fined £7015 with costs of £3200 after he exposed workers to potentially fatal asbestos fibres. The owner of the cladding business instructed an employee and a casual to...
Potential Asbestos Exposure – Health Board Fined
Potential Asbestos Exposure Several workers and contractors were potentially exposed to deadly asbestos fibres leading to a Scottish health board being fined for safety failings. The incident related to basement plant room which in a 2009 asbestos survey had...
Decorating Company Fined Over Asbestos Exposure
A Sutton based decorating company has been fined £45000 with £38943 in costs after being found guilty of exposing many people to potentially fatal asbestos material. The incident happened during a refurbishment project at offices in Poole over a period of several...
Plumber Fined
A plumber has been fined after putting his son and a young family at risk of exposure to possibly deadly asbestos. The plumber was employed to replace an old galvanized water tank in a loft in a house in Nottinghamshire, but had failed to carry out an assessment to...
Asbestos warning after Hotel chain fined
Asbestos Warning It doesn't seem to matter how big or small a company is, companies who fail to take adequate asbestos surveys prior to refurbishment works continue to make the news. The latest is a large hotel chain. The company in question failed to ensure a full...
Two Firms fined for Asbestos Exposure Risk
Two companies, including a Hampshire based firm, have been fined after being found to be guilty of failing to identify the presence of asbestos in pipes due to assumptions and failures to undertake thorough checks and surveys. The public were put at risk of asbestos...
Building Owner Fined for Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos removal contractors The owner of an industrial property has been fined for exposing untrained workers to potentially deadly asbestos fibres. Two workers had been hired to remove rubbish and debris including asbestos insulation board (AIB) from a site in...
Builder Fined for Illegal Asbestos Removal
A Birmingham builder has been fined for illegally removing asbestos insulating boards from his home, potentially exposing people in the street, including young children, to potentially deadly asbestos fibres. The builder was converting a garage into living quarters...
Hospital in Court for Asbestos Management Plan Failure
Asbestos Management Plan Failure A hospital trust in the North East of England has been fined after contractors were exposed to asbestos fibres. The contractors had drilled through door surrounds on a ward to install cables. Concerns were raised by a member of staff...
Engineering firm and building contractor fined after inadequate asbestos testing
Inadequate asbestos testing ...highlighting the importance of choosing the correct asbestos testing survey for planned refurbishment works. Many workers were exposed to deadly asbestos fibres following a number of errors by an engineering company and a building firm...
Not all Asbestos Surveyors are Equal!
A news article from the HSE last week highlights the importance of using trusted asbestos surveyors. Two asbestos surveyors have appeared in court after construction workers were exposed to asbestos fibres during a refurbishment at a pub. They were fined after they...
Firm & council fined for failing to carry out an Asbestos Survey
Barely a day goes by without a firm being fined for failing to have an asbestos survey carried out before refurbishment works commence. This time, a Council and a building firm have been fined for exposing a nursery school class, school staff and two joiners to...
Plumbing Firm Fined for Exposing Workers to Asbestos
A UK company has been fined £5000 with additional costs of £3830 for failing to ensure that it's workers were not at risk of Asbestos exposure. The company in question failed to have asbestos surveys carried out on the properties that they were working on and no plan...