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.

 

[atm84]

I know, but there is a lot of ceilings that have artex that contains asbestos, these are often breached as very few people know about the asbestos, or new lights/smokes/fans are needed.

OK so know you know.

So what are you going to do when every job you go to, the customer wants a new light postion, a smoke detector, or a fan in these artexed ceilings/walls??

Well that's the problem and my point in the OP. either everyone needs to take the same stance and refuse work unless the asbestos is removed it the job doesn't get done. Obviously with with all those on here not taking it as serious there will always be someone who will risk it just to get the job. Its a farce!

 

[Dcf]

I like the ops stance on asbestos. Which is correct.
unfortunately there will never be another electrical job carried out on Britain without an asbestos survey carried out first.
its never gonna happen.
my mates dad has asbestosis due to heavy exposure in the 60s in big projects.not nice.
im not flippant about it but I've been exposed in the past to asbestos.like most sparks of a certain vintage.
im I worried ?
not really.
im more worried about being crippled like my older mentors with arthritis in every joint and a knacked back.
when I first started work I did a yts for three months flat roofing til I got a start as a spark apprentice.
covered in tar I asked what to wash it off with.
that will be that benzine across there sonny.....
now a known carcinogenic compound !
have I got cancer of the hands ... No I have not.
the last bit of suspected asbestos I came across I had to remove a board before the asbestos lads could remove the back board.
kind off arse for elbow I thought.
even though I knew it was superlux rather than asbestos.
cant take a chance though....
Commercial pressure will always overtake safety is the point I'm making btw.
thankfully the % are more in the favour of safety these days as companies are scared of getting sued more than anything else

 

[Engineer54]

The big issue is if you are on a site and theres other people or trades on site , and you disturb asbestos , the implications are massive , it is you that will be held responsible , thats why before any work starts on a site either the asbestos register is checked or an asbestos survey is carried out , just the threat of disturbing the smallest amount is enough for other trades to walk of site and claim against you ...

On commercial/industrial projects of any size to older buildings, the chances are that a survey/assessment has been undertaken before any work is undertaken. On domestic premises you can virtually say this never happens. In the vast majority of cases, the only asbestos material found in domestic surroundings will be in Artexed ceilings and walls. So long as you take simple precautions to protect yourself, the risks involved are minimal. I've never seen or heard of a general builder walking off site because a house or flat has an artexed ceiling...

Apart from asbestos material removal operations, tradesmen will rarely if ever come into contact with asbestos materials in the quantities they did 40 years or so ago on sites, the risks although they are still there, are very much reduced from the bad old days. That old fable that's thrown around on every discussion on Asbestos ''It only takes one fibre to kill you in 30/40 years'' is to say the least taken out of all proportion and any real world context.

 

[Englishman]

OK so know you know.

So what are you going to do when every job you go to, the customer wants a new light postion, a smoke detector, or a fan in these artexed ceilings/walls??

That's not in question. And I've known for a long time.

What I'm asking is clarification on how long asbestos particles stay airborn for when it is disturbed.

 

[Engineer54]

That's not in question. And I've known for a long time.

What I'm asking is clarification on how long asbestos particles stay airborn for when it is disturbed.

How is anyone here going to know that?? To many factors (like air movements etc) for even an expert to guess!!

 

[Englishman]

How is anyone here going to know that?? To many factors (like air movements etc) for even an expert to guess!!

I'm talking about general, not precise, circumstances.

 

[nickblake]

On commercial/industrial projects of any size to older buildings, the chances are that a survey/assessment has been undertaken before any work is undertaken. On domestic premises you can virtually say this never happens. In the vast majority of cases, the only asbestos material found in domestic surroundings will be in Artexed ceilings and walls. So long as you take simple precautions to protect yourself, the risks involved are minimal. I've never seen or heard of a general builder walking off site because a house or flat has an artexed ceiling...

Apart from asbestos material removal operations, tradesmen will rarely if ever come into contact with asbestos materials in the quantities they did 40 years or so ago on sites, the risks although they are still there, are very much reduced from the bad old days. That old fable that's thrown around on every discussion on Asbestos ''It only takes one fibre to kill you in 30/40 years'' is to say the least taken out of all proportion and any real world context.

Really , how wrong you are its found on roofs soffits floor tiles as well as domestic heating flues and old pipe lagging , you'll find it behind consumer unit on backs of doors , under stairs even in toilet systems not just artexed walls and ceilings

 

[DPG]

Good point re the soffits. The houses on our street (built early 70s) had asbestos soffits. Daz

 

[R G]

Really , how wrong you are its found on roofs soffits floor tiles as well as domestic heating flues and old pipe lagging , you'll find it behind consumer unit on backs of doors , under stairs even in toilet systems not just artexed walls and ceilings

Yes how wrong he is , I went on asbestos awareness course on Wednesday it lasted 4 hours with a test as well , its a nonsense to be so blasé about it ..

Deaths from Asbestosis are actually on the rise and have not yet plateaued , and will continue for the forceable future due to the time it takes to become recognisable .also it was only totally banned in this country from 1999 ,

 

[trev]

I'm talking about general, not precise, circumstances.

If it's warm air is going to be rising, that's going to keep the fibres airborne for longer than on a cold day when air isn't rising at the same rate.
You're asking how long is a peice of string mate, there's too many variables for anyone to give any sensible answer.

 

[Geordie Spark]

If it's warm air is going to be rising, that's going to keep the fibres airborne for longer than on a cold day when air isn't rising at the same rate.
You're asking how long is a peice of string mate, there's too many variables for anyone to give any sensible answer.

Look Trev marra .... If the man wanted a sensible answer he'd never have asked his question here now would he??

Get a grip man!

 

[Harni]

Recently done my asbestos refresher course and every time it sort of scares me a little into how much of it is around you. Its obviously only an issue when you break up solid chunks of it but you still don't realise how much of it is about.
A lot of the older guys at my work were under the impression it was just pipe lagging, shed roofs and artex ceilings and were shocked on the course as to how much of it they were exposed to!

 

[nickblake]

On commercial/industrial projects of any size to older buildings, the chances are that a survey/assessment has been undertaken before any work is undertaken. On domestic premises you can virtually say this never happens. In the vast majority of cases, the only asbestos material found in domestic surroundings will be in Artexed ceilings and walls. So long as you take simple precautions to protect yourself, the risks involved are minimal. I've never seen or heard of a general builder walking off site because a house or flat has an artexed ceiling...

Apart from asbestos material removal operations, tradesmen will rarely if ever come into contact with asbestos materials in the quantities they did 40 years or so ago on sites, the risks although they are still there, are very much reduced from the bad old days. That old fable that's thrown around on every discussion on Asbestos ''It only takes one fibre to kill you in 30/40 years'' is to say the least taken out of all proportion and any real world context.

Wrong again ,its still every where and its harder to identify these days as it could have years of paint over it you cant see it ,and yes i did say it only takes one fiber, exactly, you could well breath in hundreds of fibers and all it takes is just one fiber to cause the damage , that's why people have to be made aware its not scare mongering its common sense

 

[R G]

What surprised me the most was the amount thats sprayed onto roof beams. and when lifting false ceiling tiles bits have fallen away with asbestos dust sitting on the ceiling tiles , and I have come across asbestos ceilings in ex British Rail owned houses , so you have exposed asbestos surfaces with all the dust when you either lift the floorboards or enter the lofts , and you not to know usually until you've done that unless your told its there ..

 

[R G]

Wrong again ,its still every where and its harder to identify these days as it could have years of paint over it you cant see it ,and yes i did say it only takes one fiber, exactly, you could well breath in hundreds of fibers and all it takes is just one fiber to cause the damage , that's why people have to be made aware its not scare mongering its common sense

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After what I heard and saw , to my mind any blasé attitude is wrong in itself , bearing in mind that this is a subject that can and will kill people ...