Did you know that every week on average...
4 plumbers die
20 tradesmen die
6 electricians die
8 joiners die
...all from this hidden killer.


Asbestos was extensively used as a building material in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s. It was used for a variety of purposes and was ideal for fireproofing and insulation. Any building built before 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc) can contain asbestos. Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when materials are damaged.
•    Why is it dangerous?
•    Where can you find asbestos?
•    What does asbestos look like?
•    Am I at risk?
•    Protect yourself


Why is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos fibres are present in the environment in Great Britain so people are exposed to very low levels of fibres. However, a key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in. Working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds of times that of environmental levels could increase your chances of getting an asbestos-related disease.

When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases which are responsible for around 4000 deaths a year. There are four main diseases caused by asbestos: mesothelioma (which is always fatal), lung cancer (almost always fatal), asbestosis (not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating) and diffuse pleural thickening (not fatal).

Remember, these diseases will not affect you immediately but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect yourself now to prevent you contracting an asbestos-related disease in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer.


Where can you find asbestos?

Some of the places where you may find asbestos can be found in our interactive diagram.
•    Asbestos cement products
•    Textured coatings
•    Floor tiles, textiles and composites
•    Sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls and beams/columns
•    Asbestos insulating board
•    Lagging
•    Loose asbestos in ceiling or floor cavity


Managing and working with asbestos
This information will be of particular interest to employers, asbestos contractors and others with duties under asbestos regulations, together with those workers currently at greatest risk from exposure to asbestos.

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
The Control of Asbestos Regulations prohibit the importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos. They continue the ban introduced for blue and brown asbestos in 1985 and for white asbestos in 1999.

The duty to manage
The duty to manage is directed at those who manage non-domestic premises: the people with responsibility for protecting others who work in such premises, or use them in other ways, from the risks to ill health that exposure to asbestos causes.

Licensing
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, in the vast majority of cases if you are working with asbestos you will need to hold a licence.

Asbestos essentials
A comprehensive selection of essential information for non-licensed work with asbestos.

Enforcement
Asbestos regulations are enforced by the Field Operations Directorate (FOD), Hazardous Installations Directorate (HID) and also Offshore Division (OSD).