Asbestos? Should I be worried?
Discussion
Sorry if this is a lengthy OP, but I'm a little worried!
My company moved to a new, larger, building at the beginning of the year.
Ever since moving in we've been plagued with leaks from the roof. The landlord sent a guy out on numerous occasions to patch up the leaks which generally resulted in one leak being patched up and two more appearing!
In great danger of losing equipment and paperwork we insisted that the problem was resolved correctly and the landlord called in a building inspector for advice! Their recommendation was to have a secondary roof fitted above the first and the gap filled with insulation. They've decided to do this and we have roofers in to carry out this mammoth task in between rain showers.
Unfortunately, as the old roof was so brittle, we've had a few breakages of the original roofing and bits of broken tile and, more importantly, dust which has been showering us.
This, coupled with a notice on the wall, has us a little concerned!
The notice:-
An hole:-
Dust:-
Bit of the roof which hasn't quite crumbled to dust yet:-
So, thoughts from those who 'know' would be welcome!
Should we evacuate, ignore, wear masks?
Are we doomed to die from asbestosis or paranoia?
My company moved to a new, larger, building at the beginning of the year.
Ever since moving in we've been plagued with leaks from the roof. The landlord sent a guy out on numerous occasions to patch up the leaks which generally resulted in one leak being patched up and two more appearing!
In great danger of losing equipment and paperwork we insisted that the problem was resolved correctly and the landlord called in a building inspector for advice! Their recommendation was to have a secondary roof fitted above the first and the gap filled with insulation. They've decided to do this and we have roofers in to carry out this mammoth task in between rain showers.
Unfortunately, as the old roof was so brittle, we've had a few breakages of the original roofing and bits of broken tile and, more importantly, dust which has been showering us.
This, coupled with a notice on the wall, has us a little concerned!
The notice:-
An hole:-
Dust:-
Bit of the roof which hasn't quite crumbled to dust yet:-
So, thoughts from those who 'know' would be welcome!
Should we evacuate, ignore, wear masks?
Are we doomed to die from asbestosis or paranoia?
Asbestos containing materials are generally safe so long as they are undamaged and undisturbed.
From your photo, the asbestos containing material has been damaged and is liable to have released fibres/dust into the atmosphere.
I would be concerned yes.
If in doubt, get in touch with the HSE
From your photo, the asbestos containing material has been damaged and is liable to have released fibres/dust into the atmosphere.
I would be concerned yes.
If in doubt, get in touch with the HSE
It could be 40 years before you develop a disease but asbestos in the air is known to be lethal. If your employer is not prepared to leave the building then you should get another job without delay.
Your employer will also have a significant insurance problem, insurers will cancel cover if they become aware of the asbestos risk and it is a material fact to them that your employer discloses an asbestos exposure.
Your employer will also have a significant insurance problem, insurers will cancel cover if they become aware of the asbestos risk and it is a material fact to them that your employer discloses an asbestos exposure.
Edited by Robbo 27 on Tuesday 23 May 14:10
I had to get some asbestos removed, the contractors wore space suits, built a negative pressure sealed area with an airlock, materials put into plastic bags that were put into other plastic bags in the airlock in case the outside of the first bag was dirty - cost a bloody fortune.
I can't imagine that it's safe to do what they're doing and HSE will most likely evacuate the building and stop all works til its done safely.
I can't imagine that it's safe to do what they're doing and HSE will most likely evacuate the building and stop all works til its done safely.
Gun said:
Definitely let the HSE know, if there is asbestos present no one should be anywhere near that dust without PPE.
I've worked on a few sites recently where they've found asbestos. The surrounding areas are sealed off until it's checked and cleared.
Same here, I was working on a building site in Leeds during my sparky days (refurbishment of offices above an HSBC) that was closed for a week after asbestos was discovered.I've worked on a few sites recently where they've found asbestos. The surrounding areas are sealed off until it's checked and cleared.
This stuff can be harmless providing it hasn't been disturbed - this isn't the case here, you have to be extremely careful indeed, professional removal is the only way to be sure.
Update!
We've been out to get some masks and have refused to move out into the workshop area until sorted.
The landlord has contacted the contractors who have been in to tell us that we should not be worried. They have sprayed the roof with PVA in all areas (on the outside) where they are working in order to prevent the roof panels from shedding dust.
I pointed out to them that our concern was not with the outside surface of the panels but with the inside. When disturbed or broken the inside of the roofing panels distributed dust everywhere.
I was told not to worry, there was no danger as they do this all the time!
The Landlord called and said that we should not worry and the contractors will be cleaning all the debris immediately, 'just in case'!
The contractors came in with their cherry picker and went up to clear the loose parts under the roof.
Bear in mind that, prior to this, they were wearing shorts and tee-shirts!!
They went up to the roof, came straight down and went to their van and came back wearing face masks!
They didn't inspire us with much confidence!
We've been out to get some masks and have refused to move out into the workshop area until sorted.
The landlord has contacted the contractors who have been in to tell us that we should not be worried. They have sprayed the roof with PVA in all areas (on the outside) where they are working in order to prevent the roof panels from shedding dust.
I pointed out to them that our concern was not with the outside surface of the panels but with the inside. When disturbed or broken the inside of the roofing panels distributed dust everywhere.
I was told not to worry, there was no danger as they do this all the time!
The Landlord called and said that we should not worry and the contractors will be cleaning all the debris immediately, 'just in case'!
The contractors came in with their cherry picker and went up to clear the loose parts under the roof.
Bear in mind that, prior to this, they were wearing shorts and tee-shirts!!
They went up to the roof, came straight down and went to their van and came back wearing face masks!
They didn't inspire us with much confidence!
... and take a copy of your Employers liability certificate of Insurance, and keep it.
This is an bit (couldnt spel excerp) from the HSE on what should i do if I think I have been exposed to asbestos dust
If you are concerned about possible exposure to asbestos from work activities, you are advised to consult your GP and ask for a note to be made in your personal record about possible exposure, including date(s), duration, type of asbestos and likely exposure levels (if known). In some circumstances, your GP may refer you to a specialist in respiratory medicine. HSE does not advocate routine X-rays for people who have had an inadvertent exposure to asbestos. Asbestos-related damage to the lungs takes years to develop and become visible on chest X-rays. X-ray examinations cannot indicate whether or not asbestos fibres have been inhaled
This is an bit (couldnt spel excerp) from the HSE on what should i do if I think I have been exposed to asbestos dust
If you are concerned about possible exposure to asbestos from work activities, you are advised to consult your GP and ask for a note to be made in your personal record about possible exposure, including date(s), duration, type of asbestos and likely exposure levels (if known). In some circumstances, your GP may refer you to a specialist in respiratory medicine. HSE does not advocate routine X-rays for people who have had an inadvertent exposure to asbestos. Asbestos-related damage to the lungs takes years to develop and become visible on chest X-rays. X-ray examinations cannot indicate whether or not asbestos fibres have been inhaled
Edited by Robbo 27 on Tuesday 23 May 17:06
I work on oil rigs that have asbestos areas in voids etc. If I have to access these areas it's full paper overalls, mask, taped on gloves etc, almost the same precautions taken to go into hot areas of nuclear power stations.
It's extremely serious stuff, and I certainly wouldn't be going in there if there was any doubt at all what the dust was.
Contact the HSE, keep people out of the area until you know exactly what the material is. On the rig we routinely stop jobs if there is any doubt until we get results from the lab onshore.
It's extremely serious stuff, and I certainly wouldn't be going in there if there was any doubt at all what the dust was.
Contact the HSE, keep people out of the area until you know exactly what the material is. On the rig we routinely stop jobs if there is any doubt until we get results from the lab onshore.
Edited by Speed addicted on Tuesday 23 May 19:02
Speed addicted said:
I work on oil rigs that have asbestos areas in voids etc. If I have to access these areas it's full paper overalls, mask, taped on gloves etc, almost the same precautions taken to go into hot areas of nuclear power stations.
It's extremely serious stuff, and I certainly wouldn't be going in there if there was any doubt at all what the dust was.
Contact the HSE, keep people out of the area until you know exactly what the material is. On the rig we routinely stop jobs if there is any doubt until we get results from the lab onshore.
OP must also be aware of the transfer of asbestos fibres to others, for example attached to the clothes he goes home in, fibres on the car seats, fibres that may be inhaled by others if he does not do his own washing.It's extremely serious stuff, and I certainly wouldn't be going in there if there was any doubt at all what the dust was.
Contact the HSE, keep people out of the area until you know exactly what the material is. On the rig we routinely stop jobs if there is any doubt until we get results from the lab onshore.
Edited by Speed addicted on Tuesday 23 May 19:02
A responsible employer would close down the works until it was 100% safe.
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