Where is asbestos found in buildings?
Asbestos is likely to be in a building if :

• it was built or refurbished between 1950 and 1980 and particularly;
• if it also has a steel frame; and/or
• it has boilers with thermal insulation.

Asbestos is likely to be in a building if :

• it was built or refurbished between 1950 and 1980 and particularly;
• if it also has a steel frame; and/or
• it has boilers with thermal insulation.

But you also need to bear in mind that asbestos cement has also been widely used since the
The use of blue and brown asbestos has been banned since 1985, but many thousands of tonnes were used in buildings in the past. Much of this asbestos is still there and you cannot easily identify it from its appearance.

Its most common uses were:

• sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing - generally used as fire breaks in ceiling voids;
• moulded or preformed sprayed coatings and lagging - generally used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers;
• sprayed asbestos mixed with hydrated asbestos cement - generally used as fire protection in ducts, firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structural steel work;
• insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, wall partitions and ducts;
• some ceiling tiles;
• asbestos cement products, which can be compressed into flat or corrugated sheets; corrugated sheets are largely used as roofing and wall cladding; other asbestos cement products include gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks some reinforced plastics, mastics and sealant;
• millboard, paper and paper products used for the insulation of electrical equipment. Asbestos paper has been used as a fireproof facing on wood fibreboard;
• certain textured coatings, decorative plasters and paints;
• asbestos ropes and cloth.

Any asbestos materials on site should have been identified before work starts. Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coatings and asbestos insulating board must normally be carried out by a licensed contractor. Ask 'Has the site been checked for asbestos?' If there is asbestos and you are likely to come into contact with it, get advice from those in charge before you start work. If you are in doubt about whether the material you are working with contains asbestos, STOP WORK, and find out.

If you come across any hidden or dusty materials, which you suspect may contain asbestos, stop work and get advice. The person in charge of the job must find out if there is any asbestos on the site or assume that anything that looks like asbestos is asbestos. Identification of asbestos materials is not easy and you can only be sure if it has been tested by a specialist asbestos laboratory.

They must:
• decide whether or not the work needs to be carried out by a specialist asbestos removal contractor;
• assess the risk to your health from any work that you do, and decide what precautions you need to take;
• prevent your exposure to asbestos or reduce it to the lowest level possible by using suitable controls, banning the use of power tools, dampening the material, enclosing the work and using dust extraction equipment;
• give you information, instruction and training so that you know the risks and the precautions you should take;
• give you clean protective clothing to wear when you work with asbestos;
• make sure you are properly trained to use a mask (respirator) if you need one, you know how to fit it properly and that it's in good working order, clean and stored in a safe place;
• consult the health and safety representative, if there is one, about the control measures.

Do:
• keep the asbestos materials damp while you work on them;
• use hand tools;
• use the personal protective equipment given to you, including a r respirator (mask);
• clean up as you go, don't let waste pile up;
• clear up asbestos dust using a special 'Type H' vacuum cleaner or damp cloths;
• wash your hands and face when you take a break, and at the end of the day's work;
• put asbestos waste in suitable sealed container. You can use a heavy duty polythene bag, put it in a second bag and label it to show that it contains asbestos (remember asbestos waste needs to be taken to a licensed tip).

Don't:
• use power tools, they create more dust;
• take home overalls you have worn while working with asbestos to wash;
• eat or drink in the work area;
• smoke - the risk of cancer from asbestos is higher among smokers.

DON'T FORGET
Be alert at all times to the dangers of working with old materials that may contain asbestos. If you come across asbestos - stop work and tell your supervisor. Avoid exposure to all dust. Follow the advice in this leaflet and protect your health and that of your workmates. Encourage them to do the same.