West Coast Thermal

Asbestos Management and Thermal Insulation Services

 

Design by Support-4u

 

Tel: 01900 65327

 

 

On average, 4 plumbers, 20 tradesmen, 6 electricians and 8 joiners die every week from this hidden killer.

 

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have been used for over 150 years. It was widely used in the building industry from the 1950’s because of its strength, insulation and fire retardation properties, but whilst it was ideal construction, we have since learned of its deadly nature.  Banned from 2000, it is still alarming to think that most buildings constructed before then are likely to contain asbestos - especially when there are over 3500 uses for the deadly mineral!

 

There are three types of asbestos: Crocidolite (blue), Amosite (brown) and Chrysotile (white). The blue and brown are most dangerous but it is impossible to determine if you are working with asbestos just by looking at it.

 

Where will you find asbestos?

Asbestos can be found on over 3500 products used on the inside and outside of buildings.  For a useful guide to common uses of asbestos see the list below or you can visit the UK Heath and Safety Executive guide

 

 

Why not take a building tour to see where asbestos can be found.

Remember, asbestos materials will remain safe while they are in good condition and it is only when asbestos fibres become air-borne that it becomes dangerous.

 

 

Legal duty of care - managing asbestos

Legislation brought out in 2006 (Control of Asbestos Regulation 2006) means all non domestic property owners have a legal duty of care to manage asbestos. You are required to find out if there is asbestos, assess the risk, prepare a plan to manage it and then act upon it with regular reviews. You are also required to provide an information register to anyone who is likely to work on or disturb the asbestos.

 

You can download a short guide to managing asbestos here

 

Asbestos Surveys

There are two types of survey, a Management Survey and a Refurbishment /demolition survey - we can help you select the right one for your business.

 

Asbestos surveys act as a reference log for trades people who may come into contact with the substance during their work. They also monitor any risk, or deterioration and will recommend remediation work or removal if required. In the long term this will help reduce the number of people who contract asbestos related diseases in their later years.


 West Coast Thermal is proud to be a long-term member of ACAD and TICA

The asbestos killer

Asbestos related diseases do not kill immediately - they hit in later life and are responsible for over 4000 deaths each year.

 

There are four main asbestos related diseases: Mesothelioma (always fatal), Asbestosis and lung cancer (almost always fatal), and diffuse pleural thickening (debilitating). Unfortunately symptoms can take up to 60 years to appear - that’s why so many are still affected today - and the number is predicted to rise before it falls!

 

Listen to a Mesothelioma victim tell his story here