• What is asbestos?
• Why is asbestos dangerous?
• Where is asbestos found in buildings?
• Am I at risk?
• What does the law require?

• Name given to a group of six fibrous minerals;
• Found naturally in many parts of the world;
• Produced mainly in
Russia, Canada and
China.

• Chrysotile (White)
• Amosite (Brown)
• Crocidolite (Blue)

Asbestos can cause:
• Asbestosis;
• Lung Cancer;
• Mesothelioma.

• Asbestos-related diseases are currently responsible for about 3000 deaths a year;
• These diseases can take from 15 to 60 years to develop from first exposure;
• Many of those suffering today from asbestos-related diseases worked in the building maintenance trades.

Non smoker - Non asbestos worker
--------------------------------
Non smoker - Asbestos worker
--------------------------------
Smoker - Non asbestos worker
--------------------------------
Smoker - Asbestos worker
Risk Factor
----------
1
---------x5
---------x11
---------x53

Where is asbestos found in buildings?
• Loose asbestos;
• Sprayed (limpet) asbestos;
• Lagging;
• Asbestos insulating board;
• Asbestos cement products;
• Other products.

• Identification of asbestos materials is not easy and you can only be sure if it has been tested by a specialist laboratory.
• If you come across any hidden or dusty materials which you suspect may contain asbestos, STOP
WORK AND GET ADVICE!

• The Control of
Asbestos at Work.
• Approved Codes of
Practice.
• HSE Guidance

People in control of premises must:
• Carry out a Survey;
• Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not;
• Make and keep up to date a register;
• Assess the risk from the ACM’s;
• Prepare a plan
• Provide information

• Management Survey;
• Demolition / Refurbishment
Survey;

• How likely is it that people will be exposed to asbestos fibres, consider:
• The type of ACM;
• How much ACM is present;
• The condition of the ACM;
• If the ACM is in a position where it is likely to be disturbed.

If the asbestos is:
• in good condition; and
• is not likely to be damaged ; and
• is not likely to be worked on or disturbed;
• It is usually safer to leave it in place and manage it.

• If the asbestos is in poor condition or is likely to be damaged or disturbed a decision will have to be made about whether it should be repaired, sealed, enclosed or removed;
• Work on asbestos insulation, asbestos insulating board and lagging, including sealing and removal should normally be done by a contractor licensed by the HSE.

Recognising ACM -
Loose Asbestos Insulation
• In some fire doors
• Acoustic insulation between floors
• Packed around electrical cables
• Thermal insulation mattresses

Recognising ACM -
Sprayed Asbestos Coatings
• Loose asbestos mixed with
Portland cement and water.
• Sprayed onto ceilings as fireproofing, sound and thermal insulation.
• Vulnerable to accidental damage.
• 55%-85% asbestos content

Recognising ACM - Thermal Insulation
• Used for the thermal insulation of pipes, boilers and heat exchangers.
• Preformed sections covered with calico or sealed with a hard plaster.
• Asbestos containing plaster known as `Muck` particularly for joints, bends or small sections of pipe and repairs.

Recognising ACM -
Asbestos Insulating Board
• Widely used in buildings for internal partition walls and linings;
• Suspended ceiling tiles often made from AIB;
• Fire doors often faced with AIB to achieve appropriate fire rating
• Areas around lift shafts
• Stairwells and service risers often lined or faced with AIB.

Recognising ACM -
Asbestos Papers, Felts and Cardboard
• Widely used to line the surfaces of other boards, ceiling tiles, sheet materials and insulation.

Recognising ACM - Asbestos Textiles
• Tapes and ropes
• Fire blankets
• Fire curtains
• Fire resistant clothing
• Asbestos content in above items approaching 100%

Recognising ACM -
Asbestos Gaskets, Washers and Strings
• Pipe and valve joint gaskets may contain up to
90% asbestos.
• Asbestos string was widely used by plumbers for sealing screw threaded joints.
• Strings and ropes can contain approaching 100% asbestos.

Recognising ACM - Asbestos Cement
• Usually contains 10% - 15% asbestos fibres bound in
Portland cement
• Extensively used throughout the 20th century.
• Corrugated / profile sheets.
• Flat sheets used for both interior and exterior cladding.
• Also used for rainwater goods, flue pipes, etc.

Recognising ACM - Plastics
•Floor Tiles
•Step Nosings
•Toilet Cisterns
•Sink Pads

Location of ACM’s at Calderdale College
• Plans are displayed on the wall in room
C03 showing the locations of all known ACM’s.
• The asbestos register (kept in room
C06) gives detailed information about the ACM’s including photographs.

ACM’s Still Present in College Buildings (1)
• Asbestos insulation residue and debris in the under floor spaces on the Princess Mary Site.
• Asbestos string securing insulation on pipes above suspended ceilings (various locations on PWC site).
• Asbestos seal on science laboratory oven door.
• Asbestos cement pipe F&G Floor ladies toilets.
• Asbestos insulation board duct covers in the PWC
North Stairway on A Floor and roof level.
• There could be asbestos in old electrical fuse boxes.

ACM’s Still Present in College Buildings (2)
• Asbestos insulation board ceiling tiles at roof level of PWC North Stairway.
• Asbestos containing vinyl floor tiles in store room by Library and in ADC tea room.
• Asbestos containing panels to the outside of the
ADC Offices / Bistro / Learning Zone 2.
• Asbestos containing paper on pipe work in tank room on PWC roof.