Asbestos Awareness: Risks, types, and management

Asbestos was widely used in buildings across the UK due to its cost-effectiveness, durability, and insulation properties until it was banned in 1999. Up until the late 1980s, when crocidolite (blue) and amosite (brown) asbestos were banned in 1985, it was widely used in cement products, hot water and steam pipe coating, floor and roofing tiles, insulating products, and other building materials.  

Asbestos is composed of long and thin fibrous crystals made up of microscopic fibrils, which can be released into the atmosphere during complex projects such as redevelopments and demolitions. Any abrasion of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) can result in these microscopic fibrils being released into the atmosphere, and if inhaled, can lead to significant health complications later in life, such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. If left untouched, asbestos has a relatively low risk, however, it’s crucial to identify whether there is asbestos present within a property to ensure it is not disturbed. 

Types of asbestos 

There are six types of asbestos, which can be split into two categories: Serpentine and Amphibole. 

Serpentine Asbestos 

• The most common form of asbestos found in the UK. 
• Found in many insulation, roofing, and cement products, as well as being used in fireproofing within buildings. 
  

Amphibole Asbestos 

• Considered the most high-risk form of asbestos due to its brittle nature, meaning the dangerous microscopic fibrils can be released into the atmosphere easily. 
• Typically found in steam and water pipe coating, fireproofing, tiling, insulation, and cement products. 

• Due to the long, needle-like nature of the fibers, amosite is considered one of the more dangerous forms of asbestos. 
• Stronger and more coarse than chrysotile, amosite is typically found in insulation materials, cement sheets, and ceiling tiles. 

• Less commonly used in the UK, it can still be found in fireproofing, ceiling tiles, and insulation products. 

• Used less frequently in commercial buildings, tremolite can still be found as a contaminant in other ACMs, insulation, flooring, and cement products. 

• This type of asbestos has limited commercial use but can still be found in fireproofing, cement products, and, insulation. 
  
  

Identifying asbestos and remaining compliant 

As mentioned earlier, if left, asbestos can be relatively low risk, but it’s vital to understand whether there are dangers present in your property. Having the following measures in place will ensure you’re compliant with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspections and your tenants are safe from asbestos hazards.  

• Asbestos Management Plan: This legislated document outlines how to manage asbestos in your buildings, including details of your responsibilities, keeping a register of any asbestos present, and helping you monitor the condition of ACMsto ultimately ensure tenant, contractor and staff safety. 
• Asbestos Management Survey: This survey provides the dutyholder or building owner with the required information to effectively manage ACMs and forms part of the asbestos management plan. 
• Re-Inspection Survey: This survey should occur annually. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, you’re required to undertake regular inspections, update any previously identified ACMs, and address any access issues from the original survey. 
• Refurbishment Survey: This survey is required before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out on your premises and will locate and identify all ACMs.
  

• Asbestos Awareness Training  
• BOHS P405 Management of Asbestos in Buildings Training 
• Management of Asbestos Policy Review 
• Asbestos Compliance Consultancy 
• Asbestos Removal Project Management 
• 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response 

Who you appoint as an asbestos consultant can have significant health and safety implications for those associated with your property, so understanding what to look out for in a great consultant is crucial to reducing that risk. 

How to identify a reliable consultant 

Pennington Choices have compiled a list of the key criteria to look out for when appointing a reliable asbestos consultant. 

UKAS Accreditations: Businesses can benefit from UKAS-accredited consultants. According to UKAS, 85% of survey respondents agreed that accreditation improves the quality and validity of their work. 

• UKAS accreditation ISO/IEC 17020: This standard is for inspection bodies, conducting asbestos surveys, and re-inspections. 

• UKAS accreditation ISO/IEC 17025: This standard is for testing organisations conducting fiber counting, air sampling, four-stage clearance of asbestos removal operations, and laboratory analysis of asbestos in bulk materials. 

To discover more information on appointing a reliable consultant, download our free guide to Appointing Reliable Asbestos Consultants here.

Get in touch

Pennington Choices’ asbestos experts can help you navigate your asbestos obligations, from training to surveying, project managing it’s removal or providing consultancy.