asbestos

[atm84]

So how do the domestic electricians amongst us deal with the silent killer. As I am sure most of you will be aware that domestic properties built pre 1997 is very likely to have asbestos in it. Art ex ceilings are one of the most common sources.

So what do you do when Mrs Jones wants some lovely recessed lights fitting etc? Or some floor tiles need lifting or holes need drilling etc.

Just wondering what most of you do. Do you turn a blind eye and hope it goes away, not wanting to upset the customer or do you ask them for an asbestos survey to be carried out.

 

[bigbaddave]

Tricky one this.. However two views. I do a lot of work for a charity on domestic properties and before any contactor goes on site a report is done. Any asbestos on site then a meeting is made to discuss where we need to be and if it's going to cause any issues then it's removed.

However working on joe publics house, let's be fair these reports are silly money and for jobs like spot lights they ain't going to pay the money to a have one done and b the cost to have the job done. Makes the basic jobs pricy. My experience tho you'll find it in most properties these days you will.. Bit common sence and decent PPE is what I say.

 

[UNG]

As I keep saying I'm not interested it everything and anything else that may be a danger. They can be considered separately.

My OP is about the concerns of asbestos in domestic properties and how its disturbance etc isn't considered on the same scale as it is in a commercial environment but can still have the same implications.

You have answered my question that you obviously don't think its anything to worry about and there 'are far worse things out there'. Well if thats your attitude then I'm sorry but it doesn't look like much is going to change in the industry with narrow minded, fickle individuals.

Oh and for the record I didn't say asbestos awareness was around over 15 years ago, I just said it wasn't treated with the same respect as it is now.

Every hazard in the working environment has an associated risk in the domestic environment what is worse a slight chance of asbestos being present or a carpet soaked in dog pee and excrement and a kitchen full of dishes that had not seen the washing up bowl for over three months yes I've seen it and the last thing I was thinking about was asbestos

Well aren't you the man. It must all be a load of b***cks, all this abestos awareness then, either that are you are a true hard man.

And your point is what a lot of us have been aware of the asbestos issue for far longer than you have in the industry and have moved on to other issues that have more importance

Sorry, but i'm going to have to differ with you again, if anything the asbestosis awareness programme(s) were far more prominent and respected then, than it is now.... Far more people affected by asbestos and other related diseases were around then, than there is today... and the numbers are diminishing year on year...

There are limits in what you can fit into 5 weeks or 17 days when you are trying to become a tradesman

I might be considered as ''fickle'' in the right circumstances, ...but I'm beginning to believe the only narrow minded person here is yourself, maybe you're on some sort of crusade, ...alas that crusade set sail a very long time ago.

I was thinking that myself it appears that the OP is in some sort of time warp or his head is in the darkside

I do agree with points made from most posters here. For me, (smoker, drinker, motorbike rider, etc.) the concern is that it's 'unseen' and I could be unaware of the risks (I'm not!), unlike my life choices above. The thing that really concerns me though, is it's become another one to add to the 'duty of care' list, i.e. the powers that be have shifted the future blame onto you and I.

Tried to make a similar point earlier in the thread that there are too many variables in life that could kill you

Tricky one this.. However two views. I do a lot of work for a charity on domestic properties and before any contactor goes on site a report is done. Any asbestos on site then a meeting is made to discuss where we need to be and if it's going to cause any issues then it's removed.

However working on joe publics house, let's be fair these reports are silly money and for jobs like spot lights they ain't going to pay the money to a have one done and b the cost to have the job done. Makes the basic jobs pricy. My experience tho you'll find it in most properties these days you will.. Bit common sence and decent PPE is what I say.

What percentage and at what levels do the properties you work on have asbestos in them, just as an indication of what the scale of the asbestos issue is in domestic properties

 

[atm84]

Sounds like you have all been exposed to so much asbestos and you are now trying to convince your selves that everything is fine. Ill ask the same question in 30 years time.

 

[Engineer54]

Question is, will YOU still be around in 30 years time?? I know i won't!! lol!!

 

[shanky887614]

Question is, will YOU still be around in 30 years time?? I know i won't!! lol!!

you never know, you could be sucking your diner through a straw and still be alive.

the oldest authenticated person in guissness book of records lived to 122

 

[UNG]

Sounds like you have all been exposed to so much asbestos and you are now trying to convince your selves that everything is fine. Ill ask the same question in 30 years time.

I was probably exposed to it like others on here long before the dangers were known so what is the point in getting worried now and making a big issue about what is at best a minimal risk in a domestic property. By all means if you must continue your crusade don't berate those who don't sit up and treat it with the same urgency and gusto

you never know, you could be sucking your diner through a straw and still be alive.

the oldest authenticated person in guissness book of records lived to 122

And you call that being alive

 

[atm84]

Sounds like you have all been exposed to so much asbestos and you are now trying to convince your selves that everything is fine. Ill ask the same question in 30 years time.

I was probably exposed to it like others on here long before the dangers were known so what is the point in getting worried now and making a big issue about what is at best a minimal risk in a domestic property. By all means if you must continue your crusade don't berate those who don't sit up and treat it with the same urgency and gusto

you never know, you could be sucking your diner through a straw and still be alive.

the oldest authenticated person in guissness book of records lived to 122

And you call that being alive

You might have already been exposed to it and that why you and the rest aren't bothered anymore but that doesn't mean to say we should all share the same attitude. Have some respect for other people's health, not just your own.

 

[telectrix]

Atm, i think you have made your point, and i don't disagree. We all need to be aware of the hidden dangers. Having said that, when are the powers that be going to ban that 'orrible fibreglass that's slung willy-nilly into attics without any consideration for poor guys having to breathe it in?

 

[Rockingit]

Atm, i think you have made your point, and i don't disagree. We all need to be aware of the hidden dangers. Having said that, when are the powers that be going to ban that 'orrible fibreglass that's slung willy-nilly into attics without any consideration for poor guys having to breathe it in?

And all the other, hundreds (if not thousands) of other things we knowingly come into contact with everyday - diesel at the pumps, bleach in the sink.....and so on.

 

[telectrix]

ha. bleach in the sink rings a bell. what about poisonous chlorine and fluoride in the water.

 

[UNG]

You might have already been exposed to it and that why you and the rest aren't bothered anymore but that doesn't mean to say we should all share the same attitude. Have some respect for other people's health, not just your own.

What do you want someone to hold your hand and point out the asbestos I just don't get your gripe about peoples attitudes to your OP you need to look at the bigger picture and how it fits in the grand scheme of peoples lives I and many others are not about to go and leave asbestos traps to catch you out if anything we have probably found a vast amount of it and that has been removed or very clearly labelled in the last 30 years. If I find asbestos or even the possibility that asbestos may exist on any site / job then due respect is given to the problem as we all must exercise a duty of care under H&S legislation

Personally I think there are many dangers in the domestic environment the slight chance of asbestos is a very tiny part of the problems we all encounter

 

[Geordie Spark]

Atm, i think you have made your point, and i don't disagree. We all need to be aware of the hidden dangers. Having said that, when are the powers that be going to ban that 'orrible fibreglass that's slung willy-nilly into attics without any consideration for poor guys having to breathe it in?

It's ok Tel, I've got him sussed. He's just trying to increase his miserable post count of 274 (over 3 years) to the giddy height of 3,000+ so he can enjoy the delights of "The Club".

 

[telectrix]

the slight chance of asbestos is a very tiny part of the problems we all encounter

agreed. way down the list of problems encountered after ....
customers, plumbers, builders, wood butchers, kitchen fitters, muck spreaders, DIYers, loft insulation, roof trusses, architects, project managers, building inspectors, landlords, tenants, letting agents, apologies for anyone i've missed. left out lawyers as they're not worthy of a mention.

 

[Geordie Spark]

the slight chance of asbestos is a very tiny part of the problems we all encounter

agreed. way down the list of problems encountered after ....
customers, plumbers, builders, wood butchers, kitchen fitters, muck spreaders, DIYers, loft insulation, roof trusses, architects, project managers, building inspectors, landlords, tenants, letting agents, apologies for anyone i've missed. left out lawyers as they're not worthy of a mention.

and traffic wardens, policemen, social workers, politicians .........

 

[telectrix]

and can't believe we both just missedd out the H&S gestapo. must be slipping. back in a mo. need to erect a mini scaffold tower to go for a dump.