Asbestos Q & A

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material used in construction for over 100 years up until 1999 because of  its remarkable strength, fire resistance and insulation properties. When disturbed however the highly toxic fibres are released into the air potentially causing serious lung diseases including cancers. Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND ASBESTOS?

Asbestos can be found in any building built before the year 2000 including houses, factories, offices, schools hospitals, churches.  Common locations within buildings include insulation boards, insulation lagging,  floor or ceiling tiles, pipes, cement sheets and roofs.

SHOULD ASBESTOS BE REMOVED?

Sometimes yes – particularly if it is a particular form, other times a management regime like enclosing the materials with special paint can ensure the area remains safe – providing professional checks are made periodically – an Asbestos Management Survey.

It is a legal obligation of business owners and managers to have a duty of care for their employees, customers or residents so asbestos risk assessments must be carried out regularly to demonstrate that you are minimising any asbestos risk.

If you are refurbishing or demolishing a building then safe disposal is usually recommended to ensure any risks to the work force or staff are minimised.

 

By law you must manage or dispose of asbestos in the correct manner using properly qualified professionals who must dispose of any asbestos safely at licensed asbestos depots

HOW CAN ASAP COMPLY HELP?

We are professionally accredited as an inspection body which includes asbestos surveying and sampling. This accreditation covers the impartiality and consistency of our inspection activities. All our samples are analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory.

In addition we offer Licensed and Non-Licensed  asbestos removal and asbestos encapsulation.  We can produce, check or update any asbestos registers.