Asbestos in the Workplace

Asbestos in the workplace can be a real problem, this once commonly used material can be a hazard to health and if not managed correctly can put your employees’ health and your businesses reputation on the line. 

Statistical data released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) highlights the gravity of this problem as, on average, around 5,000 people die every year in the UK due to asbestos related disease.

There are four main serious health conditions linked to asbestos exposure and these reportedly kill roughly 20 tradespeople a week as a result of past exposure. Workers in the construction industry are particularly at risk of exposure due to the nature of their job, especially if they're involved in renovation work on older properties. 

However, even if your business isn't involved in a construction related field, if you own a business premises built before 2000, there's a high possibility that the building could contain asbestos.

As an employer, you are responsible for managing this health risk in the workplace. By reading this guide, you will gain better asbestos awareness helping you to make the right decisions about how to manage risks involving asbestos in the workplace going forward.

Need advice on how to manage asbestos in the workplace? Our Croner Health and Safety specialists can help you with any asbestos in the workplace queries. Call today on 01455 858 132

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of six naturally found silicate minerals made up of microscopic fibres. It's these fibres that give asbestos its great building related qualities and somewhat ironically its hazardous ones, as well.

In its heyday asbestos was used in thousands of products due to it being not only cheap and commonly available, but thanks to the structural makeup of asbestos fibres, it was strong, resistant to fire and heat, as well as having great insulation properties.

There were three main commercial types of asbestos, namely Crocidolite (Blue), Amosite (Brown) and Chrysotile (White) used in building materials amongst others. The building industry used asbestos products such as these extensively from the late 1800s in:

• Walls and ceilings coatings
• Lagging on boilers and pipes
• Toilet seats and cisterns
• Fire blankets
• Vinyl floor tiles

In the 1960s and 1970s the long-term danger of asbestos containing materials on human health became known, as people (particularly workers in the building trade) started to become ill who had had prolonged exposure to asbestos.

Eventually the link between workers' ill health (some years after exposure) and asbestos led the UK government to ban the import and supply of new products containing Crocidolite and Amosite (the most dangerous types of asbestos) from 1985 onwards.

However, it wasn't until a further fifteen years later that Chrysotile became prohibited, completely outlawing asbestos for use and sale, with a blanket ban on all asbestos containing materials in 1999.

Why is asbestos hazardous to health?

Asbestos is acknowledged as a carcinogen, meaning the inhalation of asbestos fibres carries a high risk of causing cancer. Two of the four asbestos related diseases are a type of cancer, with around 80% of Mesothelioma diagnosis, relating to asbestos exposure.

In its solid form and in good condition, asbestos is not particularly hazardous, but care should still be utilised. However, if broken or disturbed then it becomes a serious hazard due to the release of microscopic fibres into the air.

Asbestos containing materials that are in a state of disrepair, crumbling or flaking are at a higher risk of releasing the harmful fibres into the air, as is asbestos materials that are sawed, cut or drilled.

Because of the microscopic and needle-like nature of asbestos fibres, they can be inhaled into the lungs easily, over time these can embed themselves in lung tissue causing scarring and other complications. In addition to this, asbestos fibres cannot be broken down by the human body, meaning once they're inhaled, they're stuck in the tissue of the airways permanently.

The symptoms of exposure to asbestos might not present themselves until years after the period of exposure and its use in raw building materials such as asbestos insulation and lagging, even cement. 

Meaning that 25 years after asbestos containing materials were banned in the UK, the material is still a particular hazard to those in the construction industry. Its past usage in buildings means thousands of structures still sometimes (unknowingly to the building owner) contain asbestos, in some form or another.

This is why you need to be aware of what asbestos regulations mean for your business.

Asbestos regulations in the workplace in the UK

We know how overwhelming it can feel to deal with such a hidden problem. Many premises across the country will still contain asbestos in the fabric of the building. However, you will find that records do not always account for it. More often than not, there will be no mention of asbestos at all.

If we look at UK law and building regulations, much has changed over the last decades. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, that came into force in April 2012, applies to all non-domestic premises. Regardless of the nature of your business or industry, they will apply to you too.

Through these regulations, UK law bans use of all types of asbestos. It cannot be manufactured, imported, or used on UK sites. However, any premise built before 2000 might contain this dangerous material. Even something as simple as drilling into a wall to put shelves up will potentially release it.

Before you carry out any refurbishment, put an asbestos risk assessment in place. If records do not certify the material is or it isn’t present, presume the building contains asbestos. This means you need to take precautions to address the highest level of risk from potential asbestos exposure.  

Our Croner health and safety experts will support you through this process. Contact us today so you avoid needless concern and risks over asbestos regulations.

Steps to minimise risks of asbestos exposure in the workplace

The duty-holder needs to minimise the risks of exposure to asbestos and its impact on occupational health, by taking reasonable steps to:

• Research if the building contains asbestos, what type of asbestos is present (as some or more hazardous than others) where it is located and in what condition.
• Assume the presence in materials used that usually contain asbestos.
• Keep and update records of the identified or presumed condition and location of such materials.
• Carry out risk assessments for any person that could be exposed.
• Put an action plan in place to manage any risks.
  Where possible, consider removal over an extended period to completely remove the risk and ongoing associated costs of managing the risk.
• Ensure asbestos is included in your ‘signing in’ book for contractors, making them aware of the location of asbestos.
• Review the risk assessments and the action plan and update as necessary.
• Inform any person likely to work with and disturb asbestos about the location and condition of materials that contain it.

Scenarios involving asbestos that impact occupational safety

You might decide to refurbish your offices or extend your factory floor and you discover materials that seem to contain asbestos. 

Stop work immediately! 

This should be followed by isolating the area marked with signs that indicate danger of exposure. You will have to report the presence of asbestos in the workplace and determine what the appropriate control measures are.

In some cases, you will need to hire a licensed contractor to remove the material and carry out air monitoring on completion.

If records show that asbestos is present, do not disturb it unless it is necessary. It is highly dangerous if disturbed and people breathe in the invisible fibres.

Accessing asbestos awareness training (UKATA accredited is recommended) to prepare you and your employees for dealing with this hidden problem.

It is important to make sure that you manage asbestos appropriately, not only to protect your business’ reputation, but because people’s lives are at stake.

Health risks from exposure to asbestos

All four health conditions related to asbestos exposure develop slowly in time. If constantly exposed in the workplace today, your staff risk developing asbestos related illness much later in life.

Symptoms will not affect them immediately. Even more disturbingly, the diagnosis often occurs too late, when the disease has already progressed to the point where it will become fatal.

The four diseases caused by exposure to asbestos are:

Mesothelioma:

A cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and the lining around the lower digestive tract. Mesothelioma caused by asbestos primarily affects the lungs and chest wall.

Asbestos-related lung cancer:

Closely similar to lung cancer caused by smoking.

Asbestosis:

Serious lung scarring occurs after heavy exposure over a number of years. This results in shortness of breath that can become fatal.

Pleural thickening:

In this case, heavy asbestos exposure causes the lining of the lung to thicken and swell. This also results in shortness of breath and chest discomfort.

Reduce the risk of asbestos to employee health and your business' reputation

Your employees might not be at immediate risk of working with asbestos.  But by forward-thinking and following all the appropriate steps you will avoid any potential exposure. 

Hopefully eliminating the potential scenario that years down the line a former employee gets one of the above diagnoses, and investigations lead back to you.

Talk to a Croner expert today!

Croner have 80 years’ experience in helping businesses with all aspects of Health & Safety, HR and Employment Law. 

We can help you draw and implement a plan compliant with UK law and asbestos control regulations. Call us today on 01455 858 132.