beware-asbestos-reference-cards

KEEPTHIS GUIDEASBESTOSYOUR QUICK GUIDEDON’T BE AN EASY TARGET

Asbestos could be in the house or building youare working on right now.Left alone, it isn’t dangerous. However, once disturbed, tiny asbestos fibresare released which can prove lethal if breathed in, causing lung diseaseand cancer. If you don’t take the right precautions to protect yourself you’rerisking your life and your livelihood.These cards can help you deal with asbestos on every job.DID YOU KNOW?20 tradespeople, on average, die every week from asbestosrelated diseasesEvery tradesperson is likely to come into contact with asbestosat workAsbestos can be in any house or building built before theyear 2000Asbestos remains in millions of homes, business premisesand public buildings todayWhen done regularly, even small jobs like drilling a hole canexpose you to the danger

ASBESTOSWHERE IT HIDESPGEIBAJDCOFKQLTRHNMSRESIDENTIAL PROPERTYInsideOutsideA Asbestos cement water tankB Pipe laggingC Loose fill insulationD Textured decorativecoating e.g. ArtexE AIB ceiling tilesF AIB bath panelG Toilet seat and cisternH AIB behind fuse boxI AIB airing cupboardand/or sprayed insulationcoating on boiler and hotwater tankJ AIB partition wallK AIB interior window panelL AIB around boiler, storageheaters and warm airheating systemsM Vinyl floor tilesN AIB behind fireO Asbestos cement guttersand downpipesP Soffits – AIB or asbestoscementQ AIB exterior window panelR Asbestos cement roofS Asbestos cement panelsT Roofing feltAIB = Asbestos insulating board

ASBESTOSWHERE IT HIDES181413215171516689FIREDOOR7341211410INDUSTRIAL PROPERTYInsideOutside1 Sprayed coatings onceilings, walls, beamsand columns2 Asbestos cement water tank3 Loose fill insulation4 Lagging on boilersand pipes5 AIB ceiling tiles6 Toilet seat and cistern7 AIB partition walls8 AIB panels in fire doors9 Asbestos rope seals,gaskets and paper10 Vinyl floor tiles11 AIB around boilers,storage heaters andwarm air heating systems12 Textiles e.g. fire blankets13 Textured decorativecoating on walls andceilings e.g. Artex14 Asbestos cement roof15 Asbestos cement panels16 Asbestos cement gutters anddownpipes17 Soffits – AIB or asbestoscement18 Asbestos cement flueAIB = Asbestos insulating board

ASBESTOSSIMPLE WAYS TOPROTECT YOURSELFIt’s really important that you take precautions to protect yourself against asbestoson every job, even the small ones that don’t create much dust. Asbestos canbe in places that you might not expect, so you could come into contact with itwithout knowing.REMEMBER:Think about the asbestos risk on every jobAll business premises and public buildings should have a plan showingany asbestos in the building, so ask to see it before you startIf possible, plan the job to avoid disturbing any asbestosIf it has to be disturbed, don’t start work until you have double-checkedhow to do it safely and that you have the right information and trainingThree simple things will help keep you safe when doing asbestos work.KEEP DUSTDOWNUSE THERIGHT KITCLEAN UPPROPERLY

ASBESTOSKEEP DUST DOWNWetting materials with a low-pressure water spray before you starta job, and as you work, will reduce the amount of dust created.Avoid wetting electrics.Wet the materials with a mixture of eightparts water to one part washing-up liquidUse a garden sprayer or a hand heldwater spray to make damping downquick and easyKeep materials damp but not too wetDo not use a hose as this can behigh-pressureWhere possible, avoid using powertools that create a lot of dustUse plastic sheets to cover your work areato help stop the spread of dustFor simple guides on how to work with materialsthat contain asbestos, get the FREE Beware Asbestosweb app at www.beware-asbestos.info/02

ASBESTOSUSE THE RIGHT KITWearing the right type of mask and overall is important because the wrongones will not protect you from asbestos.Wear a disposable, correctly fitted FFP3face maskType 5 disposable overalls will stop thetiny asbestos fibres getting on your clothes.Other types of overalls won’tDon’t reuse disposable overalls and masks– dispose of them safely as hazardouswaste after you have finished the job.Don’t take them homeWear the overalls one size too big as itwill help prevent ripping at the seamsMake sure you put the legs of the overalls over the top of your footwear –don’t tuck them in as it lets in dustFor simple guides on how to work with materialsthat contain asbestos, get the FREE Beware Asbestosweb app at www.beware-asbestos.info/02

ASBESTOSCLEAN UP PROPERLYIt’s really important to clean up properly so that you safely remove anddispose of the asbestos waste.Before you start the job, cover your workarea with plastic sheets to make cleaningup easierClean up as you go to stop wastebuilding upUse a damp cloth to wipe down toolsand surfaces to remove asbestos fibresDon’t sweep up or use a domestic vacuum cleaner because this will spreadthe asbestos fibres into the air. Only a class H vacuum is suitable as this hasa special type of filterMake sure all waste including masks, overalls, cloths and plastic sheetsare double bagged in plastic sacks, sealed with tape and labelled asasbestos waste. Dispose of properly as hazardous waste at a licenseddisposal siteContact the local tips in your area to find one that accepts asbestos wasteFor simple guides on how to work with materialsthat contain asbestos, get the FREE Beware Asbestosweb app at www.beware-asbestos.info/02

ASBESTOSNON-LICENSED &LICENSED WORKWHAT IS NON-LICENSED ASBESTOS WORK?Some materials are lower risk and you can work on them providing you takethe right safety precautions – this is known as non-licensed asbestos work.WHAT IS LICENSED ASBESTOS WORK?Some materials are too dangerous for you to work on. Only a licensed asbestoscontractor must carry out these jobs – this is known as licensed asbestos work. Do not touch the following materials, they should only be workedon by a licensed asbestos contractor:Asbestos loose fill insulationAsbestos sprayed coating, known as limpetPre-formed insulation e.g. asbestos pipe laggingAsbestos insulating board (AIB) e.g. removing ceiling tilesor panels, where the job takes more than two hours fromstart to finishLarge amounts of asbestos-containing debris or materiale.g. clearing up after a fire, flood or water leakTo find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

The following cards show how some commonasbestos-containing materials can look.For more examples visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-galleryLOOSE FILL ASBESTOS INSULATIONFound in wall and floor cavities and loftsDO NOT TOUCHAny work on loose fill asbestos insulation needs a licensed asbestos contractor.Find a licensed asbestos contractor atwww.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

LAGGING ON PIPESAsbestos insulation found on pipesOften painted over or protected by outer coatingDO NOT TOUCHAny work on asbestos lagging needs a licensed asbestos contractor.Find a licensed asbestos contractor atwww.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

AIB soffit boardExternal AIB panellingASBESTOS INSULATING BOARD (AIB)– EXTERNALAIB has many uses both inside and out. It can be found in many placeson the outside of buildings including:CladdingPanelling around windowsSoffit boards (roof overhang – sits behind fascia at eaves level)Work with AIB can easily release asbestos fibres. Because of this,work on any AIB material lasting more than two hours from startto finish, even if different tradespeople are sharing the work,needs a licensed asbestos contractor. No one tradesperson shouldwork with AIB materials for more than one hour a week.Find a licensed asbestos contractor atwww.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

AIB ceiling tilesAIB bath panelASBESTOS INSULATING BOARD (AIB)– INTERNALAIB has many uses both inside and out. It can be found in many placeson the inside of buildings including:Partition walls Panels at the back of fire places Ceiling tilesBath panels Fire door panelsWork with AIB can easily release asbestos fibres. Because of this,work on any AIB material lasting more than two hours from startto finish, even if different tradespeople are sharing the work,needs a licensed asbestos contractor. No one tradesperson shouldwork with AIB materials for more than one hour a week.Find a licensed asbestos contractor atwww.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

AIB back boardAsbestos flash guardGAS/ELECTRIC METER AND FUSE BOXOften found in halls and under stairsIn old style fuse boxes each fuse wire may have an individualasbestos flash guardThe back panel may also be asbestos insulating board (AIB)Meters may sit on an AIB shelf or be separated by an AIB partitionWork with AIB can easily release asbestos fibres. Because of this,work on any AIB material lasting more than two hours from startto finish, even if different tradespeople are sharing the work,needs a licensed asbestos contractor. No one tradesperson shouldwork with AIB materials for more than one hour a week.Find a licensed asbestos contractor atwww.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

TEXTURED COATINGS E.G. ARTEXOften found on walls and ceilingsNever sand textured coatings

TOILET SEAT AND CISTERNCan contain asbestos reinforced materialsWhere possible, remove in one piece without breaking up, so fibres cannotbe released

VINYL FLOOR TILESVinyl floor tiles may contain asbestosThe tile backing paper may also contain asbestosWhere possible, remove in one pieceNever sand the floor

Asbestos cement downpipe and corregated asbestos sheetASBESTOS CEMENTAsbestos cement has many uses inside and out, and can be foundin many places including:Water tanks, frequently found in older properties built before 1980Gutters and downpipesWall panelsRoofsFloors and pavingWhere possible, remove in one piece without breaking up,so fibres cannot be released

Asbestos cement panels and roof sheetsAsbestos cement water tankASBESTOS CEMENTAsbestos cement has many uses inside and out, and can be foundin many places including:Water tanks, frequently found in older properties built before 1980Gutters and downpipesWall panelsRoofsFloors and pavingWhere possible, remove in one piece without breaking up,so fibres cannot be released

For simple guides on how to work with materials thatcontain asbestos, get the FREE Beware Asbestos web app.It can help you:Find out if asbestos is likely to be presentIdentify jobs that need a licensed asbestos contractorProtect yourself, your family and your customersTo get the web app today, go to www.beware-asbestos.info/02HSE 09/14The simple steps outlined in these cardsare not enough to protect against allrisks from asbestos. For more informationvisit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos