Is there any asbestos in meter boxes?

[HappyHippyDad]

I was contemplating cutting a hole in the bottom of a meter box and I decided to have a quick check on line. I have now used an existing hole albeit a harder route. How common are meter boxes with asbestos in them? Is there any way of knowing if it contains white asbestos?

 

[dmxtothemax]

The chances of coming across an asbestos board is low,
They were only used 50+ years ago,
So not many electricians see them,
Yes I am in Australia,
and have seen and worked on many boards of advanced years
perhaps that is why I have seen them
when many haven't.

 

[telectrix]

No it can take up to 50 years, but it will kill you eventually.

I.m OK then. I'll be 122!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

No! Never use a normal vacuum cleaner to suck up dust that might contain ACMs! It will not filter all of it out of the airstream so will spread it around the room, and may continue to do even after you've changed the bag and moved on to another job. Work wet, damp the dust, contain it at source etc.

DMX is also in Aus. Do we have a verdict about UK meter boxes? In the UK we didn't really have meter boxes until after the asbestos era. As above. the traditional white ones have always been GRP.

HHD did you have a pic of the suspect box or one like it?

Just checked my photos Lucien, no pictures I'm afraid. It's just a standard 'looking' meter box from memory. I think it was the general look of the texture of the box that got me thinking, however I feel 90% confident from internet research that UK meter boxes will not contain asbestos.

As for the 50 year thing, it can take less or more. I don't intend to take any unnecessary risks having seen the ugliness of mesothelioma and asbestosis up close.

 

[davesparks]

QUOTE - No it [ can ] take up to 50 years, but it will kill you eventually

can being the operitive word !

Some old boards did have asbestose in them,
if you have to work on one,
then using common sense precautions is usually sufficent.
such as a dust mask and a vacuum cleaner.

Using the correct dust mask and the correct vacuum yes, they need to have the correct level of filtration otherwise the asbestos dust will go straight through the filter.

 

[StephenRowley]

Using the correct dust mask and the correct vacuum yes, they need to have the correct level of filtration otherwise the asbestos dust will go straight through the filter.

Also not following correct procedures could potentially lead to prosecution under the h&s regs

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Using the correct dust mask and the correct vacuum yes, they need to have the correct level of filtration otherwise the asbestos dust will go straight through the filter.

Even with the correct filter and vacuum I don't feel that would be enough, it would still get on to your clothes and from there anywhere else. The asbestos awareness course basically said leave it alone unless you are properly trained. Being trained seemed to include all the correct overalls as well as mask and porper vacuum equipment.