Asbestos

Asbestos has become an emotive issue but in reality in quiescent use as a thermal insulator, has in fact saved many lives. There is no danger so long as insulation remains properly sealed and undamaged.

The law here is The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations, the primary aim of the Regulations is to restrict any exposure of persons at work to airborne asbestos fibres.

A register of all plant surveyed in November 1983 is maintained by Estates and Development. Any thermal insulation containing asbestos was labelled with warning signs.

Members of staff should note that only competent licensed contractors are permitted to work on asbestos-containing materials. If any such material (or any thought to contain asbestos), is accidentally disturbed the supervisor must be informed immediately, together with Estates and Development so that action can be taken as appropriate, for example, arranging for air sampling to be carried out and advising on the restriction of access.

Suspected deposits of materials containing asbestos should never be swept from sills or floors. Vacuum cleaners with high efficiency filters or damp wiping would normally be carried out but under the guidance of Estates and Development.

Estates and Development can provide information from their current Code of Safe Working Practice for Contractors Employed by Keele University on request.

Also see the HSE website here