Asbestos

[jamie-spark]

Hi Guys, looking for advice was working today installing danler pirs in a college residence. Whilst cutting out the holes in the plaster board i noticed there was backing paper behind it ( not part of the plaster board) some parts had two sheets. The college was built in 1979. Do you think this could be an asbestos material. Hopefully someone will have experianced this and can sort me out


see pics

 

[Lighthouse Phil]

Not an expert with asbestos, but dont ever recall seeing it paper thin.
An asbestos professional will even tell you that he/she can not say its asbestos until they've checked it under a microscope.
If your not sure, or have a slight suspicion that its asbestos, leave it alone, dont even sweep the floor, get an expert to check it out. In the future when you come across a suspect material, dont touch it,, get the experts in. I've known jobs shut down until the suspect material is proved safe or removed.

 

[1shortcircuit]

I need to get on one of the Asbestos Awareness courses available as soon as possible as my knowledge is NIL.

Here are some images I have just found though:thumbsup

 

[alanl]

If built in 1979, then it is most unlikely that it is asbestos, and as stated above, asbestos sheets are usually at least 5 mm thick.
You cannot really tell anything from the photos you've put up as they show no detail.
Alan.

 

[mogga]

there should be an Asbestos register although as stated the black papers probably isnt altho only a specalist cal tell under a microscope

 

[c.j]

As you may be aware, the college has a duty of care to ensure that all parts of its building is safe for their employees or contractors. Existing legislation demands that a site like this must have had an Asbesos Survey completed some years ago. Any suspect areas would have been labelled analysed and catologed in the Asbestos Register. This register must be available to all contractors at all times. It is the colleges responibility to carry out the checks not yours. All Asbestos fibres no matter what colour or type are dangerous to health.
It take 30years for the effects of Asbestosise to show itself, so if in doubt, always sent in the oldest member of your team to do the job. That way he will never ever know whether or not he contracted the fibres.

 

[jamie-spark]

Cj

Yes i contacted the property manager and got a hold of the asbestos register. It is pretty loose written in the fact that they did no sampling im told. It says in that it may be present behind ceilings in voids ect in the form of backing paper. so i told the property manager and he is like its ok its just paper( vapour barrier as he put it). They had work done before and building control never picked up on it( although they just renovated the bathrooms, never puncturing the ceiling) and am not so sure building control go around looking for asbestos. Basically he wants me to start again tomorrow first thing, but am not doing it i have about 25 pirs to install so its a lot of drilling and dust. abvisoly i dont want it to get akward as we get a lot of work from him, but i think i have to look out for myself and others that will be in the building.

What u think

 

[DurhamSparky]

does not look like asbestos!! but if the register says it may be present in the form of backing paper i would take it as that!! get a sample sent away and refuse to continue work!!

 

[Des 56]

If you have doubts and it cant be confirmed or denied,then as others say dont work with it present

If you are pressured into doing so,ask that person who says it will be ok to grind up a portion and smell its charming aroma
If he will do so, you will re consider your decision based on the outcome of the 20+ years needed for its effect to take place

 

[jamie-spark]

Des mate that made me chuckle

 

[netblindpaul]

Just ring HSE and tell them they'l sort it for you!

 

[c.j]

Remember that Asbestos does not absorb through the skin, or it theoretically will not harm you if you digest it, but if inhaled may sit in the lungs for many years before it does its dastardly deed.

If you do decide to drill these holes, the preferred method would be -
- Use disposable PPE
- Vacuum removal of all dust/fibres at source
- Light spray of water on work area whilst drilling
- Containment and safe disposal of water/fibres
- Decomtam all hard equipment/PPE with water
- Safe disposal of soft PPE

Have fun

 

[rsmck]

Asbestos does exist in a paper-like thin form (that said I've only seen it white, not black, before) which was commonly used on wood fibreboards as a facing that acted as both a fire and moisture barrier I believe, but they did find uses for asbestos everywhere!

Based on where you found it I'd say there's a chance it is asbestos, and not the nice kind (in the loosest sense of the word - asbestos cement for one, it's very hard to release the fibres from relatively safe (and legal) to remove and dispose of yourself) but papers would commonly be fibrous white asbestos (chrysotile) - and a simple face mask will not protect you from it.

Personally, I wouldn't be drilling holes in it until a sample was tested.

 

[nickblake]

if in doubt check it out , asbestos can be found in hundreds of things ceiling tiles floor tiles even toilet systems but all variouse degree's of harmfullness a simple face mask and vac may not be enoght any vacs used for asbestos must be type H rated bag a sample and get the college to get in anolised if you are in any doubt then the area you have drilled should be protected against further contamination the easiest way of doing that is spary the broken area with spar adhesive this will seal the area