Who is at risk from asbestos?

Asbestos as we know can be considerably detrimental to our health, and related illnesses to asbestos can take years to appear. Of these illnesses, the most common is lung cancer, which can be very serious.

We must be aware that everyone can be exposed to asbestos in low doses throughout their lifetime. Asbestos is a material that occurs naturally, and was mined from the earth. It is present, albeit minimally, in water, air and soil. Before the year 2000 asbestos had predominantly been heavily used in buildings.

Asbestos is often located in older industrial and residential buildings, but it doesn’t have to cause too much of a risk. This relies on the fact that it is located somewhere that it cannot be damaged or disturbed, and that it is in a good condition.

Unfortunately, there are professions that do have to deal with asbestos in larger quantities, sometimes on a daily basis. Without proper equipment, correct training and clothing, it can become very harmful. Here at SAMS Ltd we offer a number of asbestos courses designed to keep people safe.

Below are a few professions that are most likely to come into contact with asbestos, according to the Health and Safety Executive:

• Plasterers.
• Roofers.
• Carpenters.
• Decorators.
• Plumbers.
• Demolition and construction workers.
• Shop fitters.
• Architects and building surveyors.
• Computer and data installers.
• Telecommunication engineers.
• Maintenance staff such as care takers.

In order to reduce and limit the risks that the effects of asbestos can have on a person, there are procedures that should be implemented. These are:

• All persons who are working alongside or in buildings with asbestos must be informed that they are doing so.
• Professional training must be given to all persons working with or alongside asbestos, including knowing how to stay safe, how to manage asbestos and what to do if they should they come across it.
• Safety must be enforced at all times.
• Correct risk assessments must be performed and put into place.
• Employees should know who to report to, should they see anything that causes alarm.
• To not take it upon oneself to deal with asbestos, should it become a problem to you. A specialist company should be contacted to sort or dispose of asbestos in a safe manner.

For more information on asbestos take a look at our detailed guide on Why Asbestos is Dangerous?.