THE HOUSEHOLDER’S GUIDE TO ASBESTOS SAFETY.
This guide is designed to assist Sheffield householders in dealing with asbestos in the home.
Before attempting to remove any asbestos product you are advised to read this information and carefully follow the
advice given.
Sheffield City Council Housing tenants should not remove any asbestos from their home but should report in person at their local housing office or
First Point Reception, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield S1 2SH or call the Repairs Service Centre on (0114) 273 5555. Alternatively by
email councilhousing@sheffield.gov.uk
WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral of which there are 3 main types of fibres; chrysotile (white), amosite
(brown) and crocidolite (blue).
Asbestos products are only dangerous when damaged or worn because they can release dust into the air.
Asbestos dust is made up of tiny fibres which, if breathed in, are harmful and can cause eventual damage to
the lungs even many years after the first exposure.
The level of exposure at which asbestos fibres cause ill health is not known, what is known is that the more
asbestos dust a person is exposed to the greater the risk. It is therefore essential to keep the release of
asbestos dust to a minimum. Remember the dust is harmful so asbestos products should always be handled
carefully.
WHERE MIGHT I FIND ASBESTOS?
Asbestos was used in a multitude of materials that can be found in and around many homes.
Any building that was constructed or had major refurbishment between the 1950s and mid 1980s is likely to contain
some types of asbestos containing material (ACM). From 1999 there has been a prohibition on the importation,
supply and use of all forms of asbestos. Houses built from 2000 onwards are unlikely to contain asbestos.
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ASBESTOS CEMENT (AC)
One of the most common uses of asbestos in the home is in cement bonded asbestos
products. These have the appearance of a hard grey material which is produced
either as flat sheets or mouldings. It is commonly used in the construction of garages,
sheds, soffit and fascia boards, roof sheets/tiles, fire surrounds, guttering, drainpipes,
toilet soil stacks, flue pipes and water systems.
You do not need a 'licence' to handle products containing asbestos cement – but
employed builders/contractors must follow the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE)
Approved Code of Practice to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
ASBESTOS INSULATION BOARD*
Used for fire protection, heat insulation and as internal ceiling tiles (occasionally external soffit boards).
Asbestos insulation boarding (AIB) is used in some warm air heating systems and also for lining cupboards
which house the central heating unit. Certain storage heaters may also contain asbestos material. There are
several modern substitutes which are now used as an alternative to asbestos boarding.
ASBESTOS PIPE AND BOILER LAGGING*
This type of lagging is unlikely to be found in modern houses but may be found in flats or older houses.
SPRAYED ASBESTOS*
This may be found in a small number of steel framed houses built before the mid 1970's and is used for fire protection of the structural steelwork
and for insulation purposes.
*Work which will disturb insulation board, lagging or sprayed asbestos must legally be carried out by a HSE licensed asbestos contractor.
OTHER BUILDING PRODUCTS
Historically some roof felts, textured plaster finishes (‘Artex’), paints, and floor tiles (including backing paper and mastic/adhesive) may contain
asbestos.
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DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT
Asbestos in the past was commonly used in oven door seals, ironing boards and oven gloves. It may also be found in fire blankets and electric
heaters.
IDENTIFICATION?
Identification is not easy as you cannot tell if a particular material contains asbestos by looking at it with the naked eye. The colour of the material
does not indicate the type of asbestos which may be present. The ONLY way to be certain if a product does contain asbestos is for a sample to be
analysed. Both ‘Surveyors – Building’, ‘Laboratory Facilities’ and ‘Asbestos Removal’ companies as listed in the Yellow Pages may offer this
Service. A list of asbestos testing laboratories can be obtained from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), 21-47 High Street,
Feltham, Middlesex TW13 4UN www.ukas.com
IF I FIND ASBESTOS WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If asbestos is found in the home, look for signs of damage or dust being released by the material.
If any asbestos found is in good condition and not worn or damaged, it can be left in place. Added protection can be given by painting and sealing
the surface, but remember to use an alkali-resistant primer for asbestos cement products.
If the asbestos is damaged or giving off dust it should be carefully removed. In the case of damaged asbestos insulation board, lagging, sprayed
asbestos or any other asbestos material inside your home then this work should be carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor.
Removal of asbestos cement from locations in the open air such as garages and outbuildings can be carried out safely if these guidelines are
followed:
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Keep other people away from the work area.
Wear a dust mask approved for asbestos obtained from safety equipment suppliers (look for standards BS EN149:2001+A1:2009, BS
EN1827:1999+A1:2009, BS EN140:1999, BS EN 405:2001+A1:2009 and filter types FFP3, FMP3 and P3).
Wear a single use disposable overall (Type 5 clothing BS EN ISO 13982-1:2004+A1:2010 are suitable).
Spread a plastic sheet under the working area to collect dust (throw away with asbestos waste).
Remember to keep the release of asbestos dust to a minimum by wetting the material with water (providing there is no contact with
electricity).
Remove whole sheets or components as intact as possible; do not break them up. Double-bag and seal and label ‘Asbestos’.
Do not dry sweep. Clean up settled dust with a damp cloth and seal in a plastic bag whilst still damp (throw away with asbestos waste).
Do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner as fine asbestos dust will pass through the filter. Industrial vacuum cleaners; Class H suitable for
asbestos can be hired.
Have a shower/bath afterwards.
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Important
Do not saw, drill, break, scrape or brush any asbestos products.
HOW DO I DISPOSE OF ASBESTOS?
Asbestos cement products appropriately double wrapped in plastic and taped closed can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centres
(HWRCs) listed below and deposited in a special skip - no charge for disposal.
Luton box vans, van pick ups and flat beds, long wheel based transit vans and twin axled vehicles are NOT allowed access to any of the sites and
some other vehicle types will require a permit. For details of opening times and accepted vehicle types, one-off visits and whether a permit is
required call Customer Services on 273 4567 or email sheffieldenquiries@veolia.co.uk
or visit www.veoliaenvironmentalservices.co.uk/sheffield
For larger quantities of asbestos cement sheets from, for example, both the walls and roof of a larger garage you are advised to pre-book your visit
with the Call Centre above so that disposal capacity at your chosen Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) is available on the day.
Do not under any circumstances put waste asbestos in your dust bin or a general builder’s skip.
Beighton Road Recycling Centre, Woodhouse, Sheffield S13 7PS
Blackstock Road Recycling Centre, Gleadless Vale, Sheffield S14 1FY
Greaves Lane Recycling Centre, High Green, Sheffield S35 4GR
Manchester Road Recycling Centre, Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2DT
These sites are not for the use of traders who must use a properly licensed trade waste disposal site meeting duty of care requirements.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Visit www.hse.gov.uk select ‘Asbestos’ under guidance topics.
Sheffield City Council's Health Protection Service telephone: (0114) 273 4415,
email healthprotection@sheffield.gov.uk can give you more detailed advice on asbestos materials in your home.
Health Protection Service, Health & Safety Team; Revised August 2013
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