Working Safely with Asbestos: A Guide to Ensuring Safety

According to IOSH, Britons face the highest risk of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, and HSE estimates that 20 tradesmen per week lose their lives as a result of such exposure.

Asbestos was extensively used in the construction of buildings throughout the 20th century, making it crucial for employees to understand how to work safely around it, avoid contact, and properly dispose of asbestos-contaminated hazardous waste.

Who is at risk of asbestos exposure? As long as asbestos remains undisturbed, most employees are unlikely to be exposed to its dangers. However, certain trades pose a higher risk, particularly those involving alterations to building structures or work near damaged or unstable buildings constructed before 2000.

Occupations at risk of asbestos exposure include:

• Construction and demolition contractors
• Firefighters
• Industrial workers
• Tradesmen
• Surveyors
• Telecommunications engineers
• Maintenance engineers

Why was asbestos used in construction? Asbestos was widely used in the construction industry for its favorable properties. It served as insulation, panelling, floor tiles, and roof sheeting, and even had decorative applications like Artex. The UK imported over 170,000 tonnes of asbestos annually during its peak use in the 1960s and 1970s due to its affordability, availability, strength, insulation, fire resistance, heat resistance, and sound absorption. However, its devastating long-term effects led to its prohibition in 1999.

Where can asbestos be found? Before the ban, asbestos was present in hundreds of thousands of construction, commercial, and household products. It is estimated that potentially half a million UK buildings still contain asbestos. Common uses of asbestos in properties included fireproof coatings, concrete and cement, bricks, pipes, gaskets, insulation, drywall, flooring, roofing, joint compound, paints, and sealants.

What makes asbestos dangerous? When asbestos is cut, drilled, or broken, it releases microscopic needle-like fibers into the air, which can be inhaled or ingested. These fibers are so small that they can bypass regular dust masks. The body cannot break down these fibers, causing them to remain in the lungs for decades and leading to long-term damage and disease.

Health hazards associated with asbestos exposure include:

• Mesothelioma: A fatal cancer of the lung lining primarily caused by asbestos exposure.
• Asbestos-related lung cancer: Almost always fatal.
• Asbestosis: Scarring of the lungs, which significantly affects the quality of life.
• Diffuse pleural thickening: Thickening of the membrane surrounding the lungs, resulting in breathlessness.

Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not appear immediately and can take 15-60 years to manifest, contributing to the increase in asbestos-related deaths in the UK, even after its ban.

How are employees protected from asbestos? In the UK, the building owner or responsible party for the maintenance of a non-residential property has a duty to manage asbestos and ensure the health and safety of individuals in the building. This includes keeping records of asbestos or potential asbestos-containing materials, their location, and condition. Risk assessments should be conducted to identify potential asbestos exposure and develop appropriate management plans.

How to avoid asbestos in the workplace For those whose work does not involve maintenance or engineering on buildings, avoiding contact with asbestos is relatively straightforward. Asbestos becomes hazardous when disturbed, releasing fibers into the air that can cling to hair, clothes, and skin. It is important to refrain from tampering with pipe insulation and ceiling tiles in old commercial buildings constructed in the 1960s and 70s.

Working safely with asbestos for tradespeople Tradespeople, engineers, and surveyors who may encounter asbestos in their work need to be able to identify such situations before arriving on-site. It is crucial to receive the necessary training, including asbestos awareness courses, to understand how to avoid exposure. Workers who will be disturbing asbestos require additional information, instruction, and training. Conducting a risk assessment is important to determine if the work can be carried out without asbestos exposure. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn, including type 5 disposable overalls, single-use disposable gloves, laceless boots, and suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) with a UK-assigned protection factor (APF) of 20 or more. For certain asbestos-related tasks, it is necessary to hire a licensed contractor approved by HSE.

Safe removal of hazardous asbestos waste In England, Wales, and Scotland, asbestos waste with more than 0.1% asbestos content is considered hazardous or special waste and must be handled accordingly. Holding a waste carrier’s license is necessary for asbestos removal, and the waste must be segregated, contained, and labeled correctly before being transported to a hazardous waste transfer station. If one does not possess a waste carrier’s license or the required equipment, a registered waste carrier can be arranged for transportation. It is essential to wash thoroughly after handling any asbestos-contaminated items to minimize the risk of carrying asbestos fibers home.

Remember, working safely with asbestos is of utmost importance to protect yourself and others from its long-term health hazards.

In today’s competitive business landscape, having a robust health and safety training program is more important than ever.

For employees, health and safety training can help them stay safe while on the job and avoid potentially serious injuries. It can also help employees feel more comfortable in the workplace and build trust in their employers.

For employers, providing health and safety training to employees can help reduce the number of workplace accidents and injuries, which can save the company money on insurance premiums and workers’ compensation claims. Investing in health and safety training can also help improve employee morale and retention rates. 

There are many different types of health and safety training courses available, depending on the needs of the company and its employees. This is why companies should tailor their health and safety programs to their specific industry and workplace. Tailoring their programs will ensure that all employees are receiving the most relevant and up-to-date information possible.

Conducting regular training sessions on these topics will help to ensure that employees are kept up-to-date on the latest health and safety information.

Refresher courses should also be offered periodically to ensure that employees retain the information they have learned. 

Types Of Workplace Health And Safety Training

While no single health and safety training program will cover every eventuality, there are some basic topics that all programs should address. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular health and safety training courses:

First Aid Training Course

First aid training is one of the most basic but indispensable types of health and safety training courses out there.

This type of course teaches individuals how to provide basic care for someone in the event of an accident or injury until more advanced medical help arrives. First aid training courses typically cover topics such as CPR, choking, bleeding, and broken bones.

While not required by law, first aid training is highly recommended. Employees who have first aid training are able to act quickly in an emergency situation and could potentially save a life. 

Fire Safety Training Course

This type of safety training is typically required by law. Employees should be trained on how to use fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures. They should also be aware of the potential hazards posed by flammable materials such as gasoline, propane, and chemicals.

Many fire safety courses also include first aid training in case an employee is injured while evacuating a burning building.

Workplace Ergonomics Training Course

One of the leading causes of workplace injuries is poor workplace ergonomics. This is something that is oftentimes overlooked because the injuries caused are not easily recognisable or cause immediate concern.

Musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tension neck syndrome, and back pains are examples of injuries caused by poor workplace ergonomics.

These injuries can gravely affect the workplace if the causes are not identified and properly dealt with for long periods of time. Only by practising good ergonomics in the workplace will the risk of MSDs be significantly reduced.

Employees should be trained on proper lifting techniques, posture, and stretching exercises. They should also be aware of the dangers of repetitive motions such as typing or assembly line work.

Equipment Safety and Use Training Course

Equipment safety and use training is an important part of maintaining a safe work environment for all employees. This training ensures that all employees who use equipment are properly trained in its operation and maintenance.

In addition, this type of training can help employees to identify and correct potential hazards before they cause an accident. 

By providing this training, businesses can help to improve the safety and productivity of their employees.

Security In The Workplace Training Course

Security in the workplace training is a course that is designed to help employees identify and reduce security risks in their workplace. It covers a wide range of topics including identifying potential security risks, recognising suspicious behaviour, understanding security protocols, and knowing what to do in the event of an incident.

Security in the workplace training is important because it helps to create a culture of safety in the workplace. The course can help to reduce the likelihood of security breaches and theft.

Security in the workplace training is typically offered by employers as part of their employee safety program. The course is usually voluntary, but some employers may require employees to complete the training before they can begin work.

Workplace Violence Prevention Training Course

Although not required by law, workplace violence prevention training is recommended for all employers.

This type of course covers topics such as identifying warning signs of workplace violence, diffusing difficult situations, reporting incidents of workplace violence, and creating a violence prevention plan.

Workplace violence prevention training is important for all businesses, as it can help create a safe work environment for employees. 

Online Safety And Cyber Security Training Course

Online safety and cyber security training courses help employees to understand the risks associated with using the internet. This training also teaches them how to protect themselves and their employer’s confidential information.

The course will usually cover topics such as:

• how to create strong passwords and how to keep them safe;
• how to spot phishing emails and how to report them; and
• how to avoid clicking on malicious links.

By completing an online safety and cyber security training course, employees will be able to work confidently and safely online.

Final Thoughts

Health and safety should be a top priority for every employer. Firstly, it helps to reduce the number of accidents and injuries in the workplace. Secondly, health and safety training helps to create a culture of safety in the workplace. Finally, health and safety training is a legal requirement for many companies. 

It is important to choose a course that is relevant to the workplace so that employees can learn and utilise their training efficiently when the need arises. When employees feel confident that their employer is taking steps to protect their safety, they are more likely to be engaged in their work.

Businesses that invest in health and safety training can reap these rewards while also protecting their employees and themselves from potential risks.

Asbestos is an incredibly hazardous substance that causes serious ill-health to anyone who disturbs it. For this reason, anyone who is likely to disturb asbestos in their work must have an awareness of the correct health and safety procedures to follow.

‘Asbestos still kills around 5,000 workers each year in the UK, this is more than the number of people killed on the road. Around 20 tradesmen die each week as a result of past exposure.’ – Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Awareness could help reduce the number of deaths from asbestos, as although the use of asbestos containing materials was banned in the UK in 1999, it is estimated that over two-million workplaces still contain asbestos.

Asbestos Awareness (Category A) training helps workers to understand the risks associated with the material so that they can avoid work that may disturb asbestos.

Information, instruction and training for asbestos awareness is intended to give workers and supervisors the information they need to avoid work that may disturb asbestos during any normal work which could disturb the fabric of a building, or other item which might contain asbestos. It will not prepare workers, or self-employed contractors, to carry out work with asbestos-containing materials. If a worker is planning to carry out work that will disturb ACMs, further information, instruction and training will be needed. Examples of those affected are:

General maintenance workers, Electricians, Plumbers, Joiners, Painters and decorators , Plasterers, Construction workers, Roofers, Shop fitters, Gas fitters, Heating and ventilation engineers, Demolition workers, Telecommunication engineers, Fire/burglar alarm installers, Computer and data installers, Architects and Building surveyors.

TPB Partnership’s Asbestos Training not only informs you about the risks of working with asbestos, the course will deliver a lot more information about: Recognising asbestos, where it’s used, minimising the risks and the legislation about working with asbestos.

For more information, get in touch with us via email at info@tpbpartnership.com