Asbestos exposure or not.

[alexander jackson]

Last week I had finished fitting a mains board inside a lighthouse and had started to clip the flex for a tubular heater.
First bash of the hammer on the cable clip produced a large cloud of dusty debris that came outfrom behind the wood pannels onto which the flex was going to be held.
I was coated with the stuss and breathed in a load to the extent that my voice was hoarse for the remainder of the day.
I followed procedure and phoned my findings into head office suspecting that it may be an asbestos containing substance.
To cut out all the intervening goings on air samples were taken by an analyst and found to contain NO fibres but solid samples were taken aswell and found to be positive for Crysotile.
I have been told that as no airborne fibres were foind I have not been exposed !!! Surely the massive lung fyll of the dust cloud proves otherwise.
Thoughts please.
A.

 

[Strima]

by which time he'll be dead, or won't he. I await the next episode with bated breath ( with an approved dust mask on, of course).

But there will be a large claim for the family so they shouldn't be financially disadvantaged if he does die.

Just don't try and cremate him...

 

[telectrix]

agree if he's full of asbestos, might cost double the gas.

 

[Spark attitude]

Not sure what testing the air any appreciable time after an incident proves.
I would expect them to collect dust from surrounding surfaces.

Yes this is standard procedure when a possible acm exposure has occured. The analyst will use a number of pumps depending on the size of the area in which it occured and they will run for a set time (usually 45 minutes to an hour). Then they check the air sample filters under a microscope and do a count of fibres found which then gives a pass or fail. Cant remember exactly how many are allowed before it fails but it is under 20 fibres and that relates to a certain cubic volume of air. If there were NO fibers found then I wouldn’t be worried. Obviously there are variables to consider like size of open area with ventilation like doors and windows open, open roof space etc this will effect it. Plus you said it tested positive as chrysotile which is “white asbestos” and can be considered as the least dangerous type but not forgetting ALL asbestos is dangerous. Basically what I’m trying to say is don’t worry mate. We’ve all had asbestos exposure without even knowing it.

 

[telectrix]

50 years of Benson& Hedges, and you think i worry about a bit of asbestos???????

 

[rapparee]

An asbestos register is not to be used for works. It is a register of known asbestos for the benefit of normal building users carrying out normal everyday tasks. It should not be used as the only source to work under.

When carrying out construction work a specific R&D survey is required if you think there is a possibility of ACMs in the area that you are working.

Consulting the asbestos register is pointless and not the correct procedure for the works you are carrying out.

Correct and right

Before work is carried out they should be doing a Type 3 destruction test.

 

[Dillb]

50 years of Benson& Hedges, and you think i worry about a bit of asbestos???????

How much money you got stashed away just about everyone I know who smokes these days is on roll ups, until someone goes on holiday and brings a suitcase full back everytime.

 

[Baddegg]

F&@kall you can do about now is there,stop stressing and wasting the time you have left......

 

[Edtwozeronine]

I don't think dust-masks can prevent asbestos fibres from being breathed in, they are too small and will penetrate the mask - not that the OP was wearing one anyway! It would have to be breathing apparatus like the Fire-service use or perhaps one of those respirator masks might do the trick?

 

[rapparee]

I don't think dust-masks can prevent asbestos fibres from being breathed in, they are too small and will penetrate the mask - not that the OP was wearing one anyway! It would have to be breathing apparatus like the Fire-service use or perhaps one of those respirator masks might do the trick?

An FFP3 mask is able to repel asbestos

 

[Midwest]

An FFP3 mask is able to repel asbestos

Think you need a bit more than just a mask, I'm led to believe.

 

[stevels4]

Think you need a bit more than just a mask, I'm led to believe.

Certainly is, two trips to the van just for all the kit, then the class M vacuum cleaner and this is only a metal clad cut out replacement.

 

[Doomed]

Spent years based in a office that was found to have crumbling asbestoes clad tank directly above.
Still have a copy of the asbestoes report for litagation purposes later in death.

 

[rapparee]

Think you need a bit more than just a mask, I'm led to believe.

Certainly is, two trips to the van just for all the kit, then the class M vacuum cleaner and this is only a metal clad cut out replacement.

The mask is to save you from breathing in the asbestos

The disposable boiler suits and vacuum cleaner is to stop you from further contaminating the area

Everything has to be double bagged as well.

 

[Risteard]

Certainly is, two trips to the van just for all the kit, then the class M vacuum cleaner and this is only a metal clad cut out replacement.

Needs to be Class H hoover.

 

[Midwest]

Needs to be someone trained & registered, don't it?