Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals commonly known by their colours, blue asbestos, brown asbestos, white asbestos, and green asbestos. It has incredible heat resistant properties and was being added to many building materials in the UK until 1999. Prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious and fatal illnesses including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. It is treated very seriously in law and in the construction industry. With works involving it becoming Notifiable, similar to dangerous diseases and practitioners who handle it are Licensed. AGM promotes Asbestos Awareness and all operatives have a certificate to ensure it. All works are carried in accordance with Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and Approved Code of Practice.
The government legislation can be found at
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/632/contents/made
However, our Health and Safety Executive has produced accessible guidance at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm
How does Asbestos affect our business?
AGM maintain a heightened awareness in operatives and office staff and include Asbestos in all our Risk Assessments and Method Statements. These RAMS are completed and distributed on every AGM site.
How does it affect our clients?
AGM will require an Asbestos Report / Survey prior to commencing works. All commercial and public buildings should have one onsite.
Have we found Asbestos?
Yes, there have been 15 reports of Asbestos by AGM in 2016, ranging from brown asbestos on pipes to asbestos cement panels on roofs. We have also dealt with many more instances of Asbestos as noted on site prior to works commencing.
Although the prospect of asbestos is terrifying, by being aware and following procedure we can prevent the affects.