Of all the work that can be done on a commercial roof, none requires a greater focus on safety than asbestos removal. The material is very dangerous and requires expert handling with extensive safety equipment to keep people safe and meet stringent legal requirements.
Asbestos was once widely used in roofs and other parts of the fabric of buildings, as it was such an effective fireproof material. Only later was it acknowledged that the fibres could be highly carcinogenic if inhaled, causing deadly diseases like mesothelioma.
Put together, mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are responsible for over 5,000 deaths in the UK a year. Britain and Australia have the world’s highest asbestos-related death rates.
How Common Is Asbestos In Buildings?
As a consequence, the installation of asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999. But it continues to be a major health hazard, not least as its presence is so widespread:
- An estimated 1.5 million buildings in the UK contain asbestos
- 75 per cent of schools contain asbestos
- Although the potential health risk was first raised in 1898, it took over a century for it to be banned
- Brown and blue asbestos were banned in 1985, with white asbestos remaining legal for another 14 years
Critically, there is no national register of buildings that contain asbestos, which means that if you want work done on an old roof on your premises, you may not know if it is present or not. This means precautions need to be taken, including a prior inspection.
Indeed, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that 1.3 million tradespersons are at risk of exposure, with some coming into contact with the substance as much as 100 times a year.
How Can You Be Sure Asbestos Work Is Carried Out Safely?
Because of the dangers posed, any work that could involve disturbing or being exposed to asbestos requires that individuals involved be equipped appropriately with the necessary PPE. This is even more so when the work is undertaken specifically to remove asbestos.
Not surprisingly, there are a lot of detailed regulations relating to asbestos safety, covering various situations in which any individual might come into contact with the substance.
This is not only designed to protect tradespersons, but to prevent fibres from becoming airborne that may pose a threat to others using the building or in the vicinity of it.
Among the key issues for employers where asbestos is present on the premises is whether any work that may come into contact with the substance requires licensed contractors to carry it out, due to the high level of danger involved.
The HSE guidance lists some work that involves asbestos removal that requires licensed contractors to carry out the work:
- Work on sprayed asbestos
- Most removal of asbestos insulation, such as on pipes
- Work on asbestos insulation, such as removing partition walls, linings or suspended ceilings
As licensed contractors, we can carry out this type of work, doing so in a way that is fully legally compliant, not only for the safety of our own staff, but for other users of the building. This can give you peace of mind and ensure you have fulfilled your obligations.
