About Asbestos (Survey, Removal and Monitoring)
Written on May 22, 2015 by J&M Environmental.
Welcome to our new blog!
At J&M Environmental we're really excited about launching our new blog. But it's not actually ours, it's yours. We hope the info-packed 'latest news' articles, case studies, and other informative pieces you read here each month will prove useful to you, as well as providing a good read.
Let's kick things off by discussing asbestos and commercial properties across London, Kent, Essex, Sussex, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire.
If you're the owner of a high street shop (or other type of retail unit), an eatery, office, hotel, industrial unit, theatre or another kind of commercial premises, you might find economic rather than seasonal factors determine the likelihood of you making a summer sale. But even if you have potential buyers beating a path to your door whatever the weather, you need to know that your commercial property safe to sell.
If it's not, you could end up in court.
Asbestos risks in commercial premises
There are two words property owners dread to hear. For homeowners, it's subsidence, whereas for those with commercial premises, it's asbestos.
Many people will know that asbestos is bad news but perhaps not so many that it is a natural fibrous material occurring in several forms, some less dangerous than others. In the UK it was used predominately in commercial buildings from the 1950s to the late 1990s, and inhaling its loose fibres over time can kill.
Asbestos is usually categorised by its three main types: blue, brown and white.
White is the least dangerous form, but as asbestos can change colour during manufacturing it is generally not possible to know with which you are dealing without further, potentially hazardous, investigation (something best left to a proven asbestos specialist consultancy).
Where might asbestos be found?
Over the years, asbestos has been used comprehensively. Some of the more common applications have included:
- insulation
- fire-proofing materials
- ceiling tiles
- pipe insulation
- sprayed coatings, and
- garage roof tiles
What to do if you find asbestos
If asbestos is suspected at your commercial premises, do not disturb it or break it up; left intact it presents much less of a health hazard.
Why is asbestos such a concern?
Breathing in microscopic fibres from asbestos may over a period of time lead to one of the following fatal diseases:
- Asbestosis (lung tissue scarring)
- Mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer developing from the protective coating of internal organs), and
- Lung cancer
There are currently 2,300 deaths each year related to asbestos exposure (source: asbestos surveys.com), and, as such, rigorous controls around asbestos management, handling and removal from commercial premises are in place.
What are my responsibilities?
If asbestos is found in a commercial property it becomes the legal responsibility of the owner, or person responsible for the upkeep of the premises. Is that you? If so, the permitted options are to safely manage it or ensure it is handled or removed by those trained or licensed to do so.
Management may involve regular monitoring of the location and condition of the asbestos to protect maintenance workers. Like monitoring, asbestos handling and removal would usually be carried out by asbestos removal specialists.
Why not train up?
Asbestos management and removal from commercial properties is undoubtedly a serious business.
Find out about Asbestos Awareness Training Courses! Contact us on 0800 4118737.
