Blog Layout

Asbestos Facts you may not Know!

Local Asbestos Removal Matlock • Apr 05, 2022

Asbestos Facts you may not know! 

1. Asbestos Fibres are not visible to the naked eye 
Asbestos fibres are so small they can only be seen by a specialist microscope. You cannot physically see asbestos with the naked eye. 

2. Asbestos is a "Hidden Killer"  
Even now , asbestos is responsible for thousands of deaths in the UK year on year. Worryingly , this number is not going down it is increasing. Symptoms of asbestos take up to 20-30 years to develop. 

3. Asbestos is only dangerous when Airborne 
Asbestos is dangerous when the fibres are inhaled. If the asbestos is in good condition , unlikely to be disturbed and showing no signs of deterioration then it is safe to be left in place. 

4. Asbestos can still be found in homes in the UK today 
If your property was built before the year 2000 then it is best to get any suspect material checked. Cement sheeting , Vinyl Floor Tiles , Textured Coating (Artex) and Pipes are just some of the places asbestos can be found. 
For a more comprehensive guide , the HSE have produced a great tool HERE 

5. There are 6 Types of Asbestos! 
Many are led to believe there are only 3 types of asbestos or in some cases 1. However , there are actually 6 types. 3 commonly used for building and 3 which were rarely used (if used at all) 
• Chrysotile (White Asbestos) - Commonly Used in Building Materials 
• Amosite (Brown Asbestos) - Commonly Used in Building Materials 
• Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos) - Commonly Used in Building Materials 
• Tremolite - Found in paint , sealants , insulation products and talc. Not commonly used
• Actinolite - Dark in colour , used in insulation and fire proofing. Not commonly used
• Anthophyllite - Used in limited quantities for insulation and construction materials. 

14 Jun, 2022
We are all aware that asbestos is a "hidden killer" , therefore should only be removed and handled by fully trained people. Asbestos is at it's most dangerous when broken or damaged , so knowing the correct controls and procedures to limit dust release is imperative. KEY POINTS : A contractor cannot remove asbestos without the correct training and insurance No contractor can take asbestos from your property without a Waste Carriers Licence and they must issue you with a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (Certificate) Aside from the legalities , no one wants an untrained person taking down asbestos at their property or their neighbours. HOW TO CHECK THE CONTRACTOR Ask for a copy of their training and insurance Check they have a Waste Carriers Licence *Both of these things MUST be in place is removing asbestos from your property EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL : Example 1 : Asbestos Garage Roof Removal We had a customer call us to say their roofer had removed their asbestos garage roof sheets before installing the new roof. The roofer smashed off the roof sheets , leaving small pieces of asbestos littered all over the customers garden. The roofer has Asbestos Awareness Training - which does not cover them for the safe removal of asbestos. This showed by the method they used to take the roof off - Asbestos roof sheets should not be broken up unless it is in strictly controlled conditions. Our trained staff arrived on site and performed a clean up of the area as well as ensuring all asbestos was safely disposed of. Example 2 : Asbestos Down Pipe Removal A worried lady called us to tell us their neighbour had workmen in who were using a diesel powered saw to cut off an asbestos downpipe which was fixed between the two properties. The saw had created vast amounts of dust as well as leaving a large "flare" on the ladies soffit board. After asking for the details of the builder and whether he was trained to carry out the work , the lady was ignored and the builder soon left. We were called in to take a sample from the dust on the soffit board as well as the pipe (which was now left discarded , unwrapped on the garden). Both tests confirmed asbestos presence. HOW TO REPORT ILLEGAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL IN DERBYSHIRE If you suspect illegal asbestos removal is being carried out at your property or your neighbours then the follow the below steps: 1) Ask the contractor for their details , training and insurance. Any reputable company will be more than happy to provide these to you. This should clear up the matter , but if you feel that they are not acting responsibly then follow steps 2-3 2) Contact the local Derbyshire Council Environmental Department : https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/environment/environment.aspx 3) Contact the Health and Safety Executive https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm 4) If the query is waste disposal related and you think asbestos waste has been disposed of where is shouldn't have been then contact the Environment Agency 24 hour Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 For safe , professional asbestos removal - Contact Local Asbestos Matlock 01629 690 115
by Local Asbestos Removal Matlock 04 May, 2022
A list of common mistakes made when getting quotes for asbestos removal and how to avoid them
by Local Asbestos Removal Matlock 05 Apr, 2022
How to avoid rouge traders when picking an asbestos removal company in Matlock and Derbyshire. Ensure your asbestos is being dealt with safely by a professional asbestos company
14 Feb, 2022
Our New Website ready to take your enquiries for asbestos removal and provide our customers with help and advice on asbestos in homes.
Share by: