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General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

KNOW THE DANGERS OF ASBESTOS (GUEST POST)

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Know the Dangers of Asbestos

Asbestos has been used as a building material since the 1950’s and
though everyone has heard of the deadly material, why exactly is it held
with such fear and what does exposure to the material mean for those
involved?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material, which has been exploited by
the building trade for over 50 years. The material was particularly
popular due to its excellent insulating qualities as well as it
providing good protection against fire and corrosion. However, unbeknown
to tradesmen working with the material years before and many DIY
enthusiasts of today, the material that seemed to have so many amazing
properties does have its dangers, dangers which were only revealed
decades later.

Where is Asbestos Found?

All buildings constructed before 2000 are at risk of containing
asbestos and scarily this deadly material can be found in a variety of
places both in domestic and commercial environments. Asbestos Containing
Materials (ACMs) can be found in ceiling tiles, pipe insulation,
boilers, sprayed coatings, structural supports and cement roof sheeting
found on industrial roofs and walls.
Asbestos is also found in artex, these textured wall coverings were a
staple feature in 1960’s and 1970’s homes and as times have changed so
too have the interior design trends. More homeowners are putting
themselves at risk of asbestos exposure by removing artex coverings from
their walls and ceilings in favour of a more modern interior but before
completing any home improvement it’s important to know the dangers
behind asbestos so that if encountered, the asbestos can be handled and
disposed of correctly.

Identifying Asbestos

Identifying asbestos is a tricky thing and a job that should be done by
an asbestos specialist licensed by the Health and Safety Executive.
Asbestos was actually mixed with other materials during construction
making it hard to identify even to this day. According to a study by the
British Lung Foundation, around two-thirds of people said they couldn’t
confidently identify asbestos, making it even more important that you
call in a professional if you are concerned that you home may contain
the deadly material.

The Hidden Killer

If inhaled, asbestos can cause a variety of health concerns, and though
it may take anything from a few minutes to a few years for your body to
be exposed to asbestos, symptoms of exposure can take decades to
develop. Once symptoms show however, it is often too late for the person
involved, resulting in serious complications and even death.
Asbestos exposure has caused a number of conditions, the most serious
being Mesothelioma. This is a form of cancer, which affects the lung and
digestive tract lining and in recent years it has been exclusively
linked with asbestos. Asbestosis is also a result of heavy exposure,
this disease scars the lungs causing shortness of breath and other
breathing difficulties.  Asbestos exposure has also been found to cause
thickening and swelling of the lung lining, which also restricts the
lung’s capabilities causing shortness of breath and discomfort.

This article was written by LocalTraders,  the home improvement
specialists with expertise in the identification and removal of sbestos, as well as other home and garden upgrades. Their quick and
easy enquiry system connects homeowners with reliable local tradesmen
 or high quality solutions for their residential or business properties.

Anyone working around asbestos should wear the proper protective equipment, such as protective clothing, and gloves, and not wear their work clothing home with them, but change into every day clothes in order not to bring particles into their homes and family. pb

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Respiratory Safety

WORKING WITH ASBESTOS? READ THIS! (GUEST POST)

By Joe McRobert
 
Asbestos is known as the ‘hidden killer’; it is generally not in plain sight, for example, you would find it in walls and ceilings, and it can be very dangerous. It can cause a number of diseases that could potentially be fatal, including Mesothelioma and Asbestosis. These diseases can be caused if the asbestos fibres are inhaled. This is why you need to be fully equipped when you are working with it. It is not always easy to identify either, so this makes it even more dangerous.
 
So if you are already working with asbestos or you are going to be, then you need to have all of the equipment to make sure you are safe. Here is a list of the equipment you need to ensure you are fully protected from the hidden killer.
 
Overalls
You will need overalls to cover the clothing you are wearing otherwise your clothing will be exposed to the asbestos fibres; not only would this be dangerous for you, it can also be dangerous for others near you as they may also inhale the fibres. You need to make sure you are fully covered, so you should avoid tucking your overalls into your boots because dust could get into your boots and you should avoid wearing long-sleeved t-shirts because they are more difficult to cover. You should be supplied with disposable overalls. One thing you should always remember is to not take home the used overalls!
 
Respiratory Protective Equipment
If you are going to be working with asbestos, then this is one of the most important items that should be provided. The respiratory protective equipment will allow you to breathe without the risk of inhaling the asbestos fibres, however you should make sure it is fitted correctly. If it is not fitted correctly, then you could still be at risk of inhaling the deadly fibres; once you have properly fitted your protective mask, you should then put the hood of the overalls up to cover the straps of your mask.
 
Gloves
Another very important item that should be worn every time you are going to be dealing with asbestos is gloves. Disposable gloves are the best for dealing with asbestos because you can dispose of them as soon as you have finished you job.
 
Footwear
Boots are the best type of footwear you can wear when working with asbestos; however, you should avoid wearing laced boots because they are more difficult to clean. The laces on your boots will be exposed to the fibres and you could potentially spread asbestos fibres outside of the workplace. Just make sure your overalls go over the top of the boots to avoid any dust entering your footwear.
 
Protect yourself from the hidden killer and make sure you have everything you need to safely complete the job. Remember that working with asbestos is a dangerous job and you need to be careful. Once you have prepared yourself for the job, you should then make sure anyone you are working with is also prepared. However, if you are ever exposed to asbestos, then be sure to seek medical advice and contact a solicitor, for example Flint Bishop Solicitors, to guide you through your next steps.
 
About the Author: Joe is a business coach that works with small businesses to improve processes for handling health and safety among other things. He is a regular contributor at http://www.businesswinners.net.