Asbestos is known as the Hidden Killer thanks to an HSE campaign issued to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos, and why it was no longer used in the construction industry and ultimately banned from the UK. This campaign aimed to educate people on what to do if they found asbestos and the damaging effects to their health if they did not act appropriately.
Asbestos was a popular product in the 50s to 70s thanks to its numerous amazing qualities:
- Asbestos is Strong
- Asbestos is Cheap
- Asbestos is great for sound insulation
- Asbestos has great heat insulation
- Asbestos is good for fire protection
- Asbestos is Resistant to Chemicals
- Asbestos is Resistant to Water
- Asbestos is Resistant to Electricity
Asbestos was a flexible material that could be used in many different commercial products. It can be woven thanks to its fibrous consistency and mixed with other components easily. The construction industry produced many products to help them in the construction of many different types of buildings such as:
- Asbestos Cement
- Roof Tiles
- Ceiling Tiles
- Floor Tiles
- Loose Insulation
- Insulating Boards
- Textured Coatings
- Sprayed Coatings
- Fire Doors
- Fire Blankets
- Pipe Lagging
- Downpipes
- Rainwater Goods
- Soffits and Fascias
- Cladding
- Electrical Panels
- Window Cills
- Partitions
- Sink Pads
- Toilet Seats
These products can still be found in society today, as they can be incorporated into the main foundations of a building, and it would take a lot of money and work to have them removed safely. Some of them will be deemed low risk as the possibility of the material being disturbed is slim, meaning it is safe for now to leave in the building. Then others, such as the toilet seats, are more than likely long gone, or so we would hope!
If your premises is at risk of having asbestos onsite, it’s crucial an expert asbestos removal company be called in to assess the situation and ensure your employee and visitor safety.
