The aim of this Training Tool is to provide you with the following information to ensure the safety of your workforce:
 What is asbestos?
 Facts
 Where is asbestos found?
 What does asbestos look like?
 How can you identify asbestos?
 Hidden killer – diseases
 Asbestos training legal requirements
 Working with asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that has been a popular building material since the 1950s. It is used as an insulator (to keep in heat and keep out cold), has good fire protection properties and protects against corrosion.
Because asbestos is often mixed with another material, it's hard to know if you're working with it or not.
But, if you work in a building built before the year 2000, it's likely that some parts of the building will contain asbestos.

Each year approximately
4000 people die from asbestos. That’s more than are killed on the roads.
Each week approximately
8 joiners
6 electricians
4 plumbers die from asbestosrelated diseases.
Each week approximately
20 tradesmen die from this hidden killer.

Sprayed coating
Found as fire protection on structural supports
(e.g. columns and beams). It is a high hazard asbestos product and can generate very high fibre levels if disturbed.
Pipe Insulation
Asbestos thermal pipe lagging is a high hazard asbestos product.
Asbestos Insulating Board (also referred to as
AIB) ceiling and door panels
AIB is a high hazard asbestos product and can generate high levels of fibres if the board is cut or drilled.
AIB window panels
Like other AIB, this is a high hazard asbestos product, and if in good condition should be left undisturbed.
Floor tiles
Vinyl (PVC) or thermoplastic tiles contain asbestos.
Asbestos cement roof sheeting
Asbestos cement sheeting is often found on industrial building roofs and walls.
Textured decorative coating (such as Artex)
Textured coatings contain a small amount of asbestos. The asbestos is well bonded and fibres are not easily released. However, it is still an asbestos product, and as such, needs to be worked with safely.
Others:
• Ceiling tiles
• Boilers
• Board around windows, radiators, fireplaces, building columns and pillars
• Soffit boards
• Inside fire doors
• Gaskets and sealants on pipe joints
• Fuse boxes and electrical switch gear

1. Water Tank
2. Pipe Lagging
3. Property Insulation
4. Textured coating (e.g. artex)
5. Soffit Board (roof overhang)
6. Toilet cistern
7. Wall panelling
8. Fuse box
9. Heater cupboard
10. Floor tiles
11. Rainwater items such as roof gutters and down pipes

Asbestos
Fire Blanket
Pieces of AIB
Asbestos containing floor tiles
Asbestos cement roof
Asbestos cement downpipe
Torn asbestos pipe lagging
AIB ceiling tiles in a corridor
Damaged asbestos panelling
Wall with trowelled loose asbestos

Pipe insulated using asbestos lagging and rope
AIB window sill
Sprayed
'limpet' asbestos on underside of an asbestos cement roof
Asbestos soffit
Asbestos cement external building panel
Asbestos panelling around gas meter
AIB window panelling
Asbestos cement drainage downpipe
Asbestos textured coating

Because asbestos is often mixed with another material, it's hard to know if you're working with it or not.
Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless asbestos fibres become airborne and then inhaled, which happens when materials are damaged.
If you are unsure whether you are working with asbestos materials where you are working… stop and check.
People in charge of workplace buildings have a legal duty to provide you with up-to-date information on the location and condition of asbestos before you start work.

Exposure to asbestos can cause four main diseases:
• Mesothelioma – cancer of the lining of the lungs; it is always fatal and is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos
• Asbestos-related lung cancer – which is almost always fatal
• Asbestosis – a scarring of the lungs which is not always fatal but can be a very debilitating disease, greatly affecting quality of life
• Diffuse pleural thickening – a thickening of the membrane surrounding the lungs which can restrict lung expansion leading to breathlessness.
It can take 15-60 years for any symptoms to develop after exposure, so these diseases will not affect you immediately but may do later in life. You need to start protecting yourself against any exposure to asbestos now because the effect is cumulative.

If you plan to disturb asbestos, e.g. by drilling a hole in textured coating or removing an asbestos ceiling tile, then as well as awareness training, you will need job-specific, non-licenced asbestos training. This will give you the skills to:
• Use and fit a face mask
• Use safe work methods
• Deal with asbestos waste
• Safely carry out non-licenced tasks – such as painting undamaged asbestos insulation board, cleaning light fittings attached to asbestos insulating boards and cleaning guttering on an asbestos cement roof.

Don’t start work if…
• You are not sure if there is asbestos where you are working
• The asbestos materials are sprayed coatings, board or insulation and lagging on pipes and boilers – only licenced contractors should work on these
• You have not been trained to do non-licenced work with asbestos. Basic awareness training is not enough.

Work has been properly planned and the right precautions are in place
(e.g. you have the right equipment)
The materials are asbestos cement, textured coatings and certain other materials which do not need a licence
You have had training in asbestos work and know how to work with it safely.

Use hand tools – not power tools
Keep materials damp – not too wet
Wear a properly fitted, suitable face mask, (e.g. disposable FFP3 type). An ordinary dust mask will NOT be effective
Double bag asbestos waste and label the bags properly
Clean up as you go – use a special (Class H) vacuum cleaner, not a brush
After work, wipe down your overalls with a damp rag or wear disposable overalls (Type 5)
Always remove overalls before removing your mask
Wear boots without laces or disposable boot covers
Put disposable clothing items in asbestos waste bags and dispose of them properly
Don’t carry asbestos into your car or home
Don’t smoke, eat or drink in the work area
Don’t take overalls home to wash.

The HSE has a range of Asbestos Essentials task sheets that will show you how to carry out a range of non-licenced tasks safely.
They are free to download at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials
Source:
Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0.