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Asbestos
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The Control of Asbestos at Work 2002
Regulations of October 2002 introduced the new duty to manage
asbestos risk in non-domestic
premises. The duty to manage asbestos came
into force on 21 May 2004.
The Environmental Health Service
is frequently contacted by householders requesting advice on the
presence of asbestos materials in their homes. Building materials
containing asbestos were widely used until the 1980s. Since 1976
British manufacturers have put labels on products that contain
asbestos.
If asbestos is found in the home
it should only pose a problem if it is in poor condition i.e.
friable or flaking. In this case it should be removed by a licensed
asbestos contractor. Asbestos will pose a risk to health it if is
drilled, sawn or sanded. The general rule for items containing
asbestos is if it is undamaged,
leave it alone.
Indoors, asbestos cement should
be sealed by painting it with an alkali-resistant paint such as PVA
emulsion, or primed with alkali-resistant primer and then covered
with normal undercoat and gloss paint. The surfaces should not be
sanded before painting.
Any work involving asbestos
materials requires the following precautions:
- Keep asbestos materials wet or well damped to reduce dust.
- Keep other people away from the
area of work.
- Wear protective clothing e.g.
overalls, (preferably disposable) and a disposable dust mask (CE
marked to EN 149 with FFP2 particulate filters). Disposable
clothing must be double bagged, sealed and labelled Asbestos waste.
Any clothing must be washed immediately, but separately from other
household items.
- Work outside if possible.
- Do not drill, cut or disturb
asbestos unless absolutely necessary. Do not scrape or sand
asbestos surfaces before painting.
- Use hand tools, not power
tools.
- Use only a special industrial
vacuum cleaner that conforms to BS 5415 (Type H).
Asbestos waste must not be placed
in the dustbin as refuse vehicles often grind collected waste and
fibres could be released into the air. Household asbestos waste can
be taken to the Portsmouth Recycling Centre, Civic Amenities Site,
Southampton Road, Paulsgrove; telephone (023) 9221 9819. It is
advisable to contact them first to ensure their facilities are not
full. All waste must be double-bagged, sealed and labelled as
Asbestos waste. Large items may need to be damped and wrapped in
1000-gauge polythene sheeting, sealed with heavy-duty sticky tape
and labelled.
At present Havant Borough Council
is not licensed to remove asbestos waste and no HBC Amenity Sites
accept asbestos waste. Builders and plumbers carrying out household
alterations should not remove asbestos unless they are licensed to
do so.
Further information about
asbestos in domestic premises can be obtained from the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) on the HSE Infoline on 08701 545500.
Also, the section "Asbestos removal" in Yellow Pages will
give contact details of asbestos contractors, but ensure they are
listed as "Licensed Contractors".
Alternatively, please contact
Environmental Health at the Civic Offices or telephone
(023) 9244 6654.