Staying Safe Around Asbestos

Transcription

1 May 2013 A Guide to Staying Safe Around Asbestos Registered Charitable Housing Association No 19947R

2 What is asbestos? Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that was widely used in buildings up until the late 1980s. White asbestos was used up until Asbestos can be found in most homes in the UK that were built before the year Is it dangerous? If asbestos materials are undamaged or they are situated where they cannot easily be disturbed, there is no significant health risk. Only when they are broken up and the asbestos material is inhaled does it become dangerous. Asbestos is usually found in the following locations around the home: In the insulation material around pipes and boilers In fire break materials used in lofts, ducts, ceiling panels and around steel works etc. Some ceiling and floor tiles Insulation boards Paper products used to insulate electrical equipment Asbestos cement sheets - used as roofing and wall cladding and gutters Certain textured coatings such as Artex

3 What is St Vincent s doing about Asbestos? St Vincent s policy on asbestos is in line with the Government and Health and Safety Executive recommendations. It is our policy to leave asbestos in place unless it is an unsatisfactory condition or likely to be subject to disturbance, or if it can be removed as part of repairs or alteration work. To minimise the risk of exposure to asbestos we ensure that there is an appropriate asbestos management framework in place including procedures, registers, guidance notes and training of staff and contractors. Risk assessments are carried out to assess the level of risk posed by asbestos. We look at the type of asbestos, its condition and where it is located. Determination of the level of risk is achieved by applying a points scoring systems which in turn dictates the appropriate course of action for the asbestos to either be sealed in situ or removed. To meet legislation, St Vincent s has undertaken asbestos surveys of all properties. In addition, asbestos surveys have been carried out prior to any improvement work on individual homes.

4 You have found asbestos at my neighbour s house, when will you survey mine? If your neighbour s home is of a similar type and age to your own home, we can assume the results of a survey carried out would be very similar. Therefore we do not need to carry out one. Can I decorate and carry out DIY in my home? Yes, but you need to follow the advice relating to asbestos in your home. Asbestos should not be drilled, sanded, rubbed down or disturbed in any way. What do I do if material I believe contains asbestos is damaged? Report it to St Vincent s straight away, and we will inspect it to determine if you are risk.

5 DO S and DON TS If in doubt, ask our advice DO Contact us immediately if materials that you think may contain asbestos are damaged in any way. Contact us immediately if protective coatings or sealants are peeling or breaking off. DON T Don t do any work on, or damage, or remove materials containing asbestos. The law requires licenced contractors to be used for all major asbestos works Don t sand or scrape textured materials such as Artex Don t cut, drill or sand materials that you think may contain asbestos. Don t break off pieces or break up pieces of materials that you believe contain asbestos Don t jet wash or clean asbestos cement products, such as corrugated sheets.

6 If you have any questions or concerns about asbestos in your home, please contact St Vincent s on the central office number or mini-com number. We are happy to provide this publication in a variety of formats including: braille, large print, audio tape or in an alternative language. Contact central office to request any of these formats. Ì~]gßÅ7-Z¼Zc*szwLñÔ8-egkg6, ~eïôvâ!* i~uzšôàf, 6, y 8wø^wŠ._Æ]gz Å\ M]â të Central Office First floor, Metropolitan House, 20 Brindley Road, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 9HQ Telephone: Fax: enquiry@svha.co.uk Minicom: X Mh ëz Û FolFollow us on twitter.com/svha Find us on facebook.com/stvincentshousing