In the past, asbestos is a material that was commonly used in a wide variety of building materials and other applications.
This was before we understood just how lethal this material can be. Its use has left behind a deadly legacy with asbestos related illness now the single most common cause of work-related ill health & death.
Every year approximately 3 thousand people die from asbestos related diseases.
By 2020 it's estimated that approximately 10 thousand people will die each year in the UK from diseases linked to asbestos exposure.
Consequently, in this feature, our goal is to give important information that can aid in ensuring the wellbeing of people who might be exposed to asbestos.
Who Might Come Into Contact with Asbestos?
Examples of trades who may come across asbestos in the course of their work include:
Those employed for demolition work;
Construction tradesmen;
Workers involved in fixing a holding;
Workers involved in maintaining a facility, such as fitters, electricians, or caretakers.
In reality, any employee who adjusts the makeup of a structure can unwittingly interact with asbestos.
What is the nature of Asbestos?
Asbestos comes from the ground and is a mineral. It has a wide range of helpful qualities, including being inflammable, and unable to convey heat or electricity. Additionally, it can resist damage caused by chemical exposure, which has rendered quite useful.
Asbestos is everywhere in a wide range of forms, but it is commonly sold in three particular forms:
* Amosite,
* Chrysotile
* Crocidolite
The aforementioned varieties are also known as brown, white, and blue asbestos.
What Was Its Purpose?
Asbestos was supplied as raw processed fibre for use as a loose material or for incorporation into asbestos containing products.
Fibres were combined with a unifying substance to attach them to each other. These fibres were usually put on as a nebulized layer, like pipe lagging.
It was used as a reinforcing material in viscous liquid coatings - for example "Artex" type materials.
Additionally, asbestos was utilized to fill in or increase the density of substances used to make vinyl floor tiles and tiles used on ceilings.
It was also mixed with bonding material, for the manufacture of asbestos cement roof sheets, pipes and gutters.
Most products incorporating asbestos are commonly known as asbestos containing materials, or, ACM's for short.
The majority of these wares use admonitory tags, but the tags could have taken away, displaced, or have simply been pulled off.
When Was it Used?
In general, asbestos was most often used post-World War II.
During the construction explosion of the 1950's, after the war, asbestos was a low cost, and adaptable substance. Consequently, it was used a great deal in building projects.
Blue & brown asbestos, scientifically linked with causing a cancer called mesothelioma, were considered to be the more dangerous types and were banned from importation and use in the United Kingdom from 1985.
In 1999, white asbestos was banned, except for a few specialised applications. This later ban is because it was considered to be less harmful.
Summary
Asbestos is a fatal substance that will perpetually cause the deaths of tens of thousands of workers each year for tens upon tens of years.
In this feauture, we have examined the health framework regarding how to keep those employees that might be exposed to asbestos, safe.
This was before we understood just how lethal this material can be. Its use has left behind a deadly legacy with asbestos related illness now the single most common cause of work-related ill health & death.
Every year approximately 3 thousand people die from asbestos related diseases.
By 2020 it's estimated that approximately 10 thousand people will die each year in the UK from diseases linked to asbestos exposure.
Consequently, in this feature, our goal is to give important information that can aid in ensuring the wellbeing of people who might be exposed to asbestos.
Who Might Come Into Contact with Asbestos?
Examples of trades who may come across asbestos in the course of their work include:
Those employed for demolition work;
Construction tradesmen;
Workers involved in fixing a holding;
Workers involved in maintaining a facility, such as fitters, electricians, or caretakers.
In reality, any employee who adjusts the makeup of a structure can unwittingly interact with asbestos.
What is the nature of Asbestos?
Asbestos comes from the ground and is a mineral. It has a wide range of helpful qualities, including being inflammable, and unable to convey heat or electricity. Additionally, it can resist damage caused by chemical exposure, which has rendered quite useful.
Asbestos is everywhere in a wide range of forms, but it is commonly sold in three particular forms:
* Amosite,
* Chrysotile
* Crocidolite
The aforementioned varieties are also known as brown, white, and blue asbestos.
What Was Its Purpose?
Asbestos was supplied as raw processed fibre for use as a loose material or for incorporation into asbestos containing products.
Fibres were combined with a unifying substance to attach them to each other. These fibres were usually put on as a nebulized layer, like pipe lagging.
It was used as a reinforcing material in viscous liquid coatings - for example "Artex" type materials.
Additionally, asbestos was utilized to fill in or increase the density of substances used to make vinyl floor tiles and tiles used on ceilings.
It was also mixed with bonding material, for the manufacture of asbestos cement roof sheets, pipes and gutters.
Most products incorporating asbestos are commonly known as asbestos containing materials, or, ACM's for short.
The majority of these wares use admonitory tags, but the tags could have taken away, displaced, or have simply been pulled off.
When Was it Used?
In general, asbestos was most often used post-World War II.
During the construction explosion of the 1950's, after the war, asbestos was a low cost, and adaptable substance. Consequently, it was used a great deal in building projects.
Blue & brown asbestos, scientifically linked with causing a cancer called mesothelioma, were considered to be the more dangerous types and were banned from importation and use in the United Kingdom from 1985.
In 1999, white asbestos was banned, except for a few specialised applications. This later ban is because it was considered to be less harmful.
Summary
Asbestos is a fatal substance that will perpetually cause the deaths of tens of thousands of workers each year for tens upon tens of years.
In this feauture, we have examined the health framework regarding how to keep those employees that might be exposed to asbestos, safe.
About the Author:
If asbestos health risks are an issue for you then go to Ian Pemberton's health and safety training website where you can instantly access a range of asbestos training online courses