Asbestos Awareness

Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related death in the UK, killing around 5,000 people per year.
Asbestos was widely used in UK buildings constructed before the year 2000 as insulation and fireproofing.
The three main types are chrysotile (white), amosite (brown), and crocidolite (blue) asbestos.
Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye and cause fatal diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 set strict rules for managing and working with asbestos materials.
Common locations include ceiling tiles, pipe lagging, floor tiles, textured coatings, roof sheets, and gaskets.
A refurbishment and demolition survey must be completed before any intrusive work on pre-2000 buildings.
If you suspect you have found asbestos, stop work immediately and report it to your supervisor.
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure — a single exposure event can lead to fatal disease decades later.
All workers on refurbishment or demolition projects must hold a valid asbestos awareness certificate.

Prevent fatal disease	Mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are always fatal — there is no cure once the disease develops.
Legal duty	The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 impose a duty to manage asbestos; breaches carry unlimited fines and prison sentences.
Protect your family	Asbestos fibres carried home on clothing can expose family members — secondary exposure also causes fatal disease.

Do

Don't

Check the asbestos register and survey report before starting any work on older buildings.
Hold a valid asbestos awareness certificate before working on refurbishment or demolition.
Stop work immediately if you discover or suspect asbestos-containing materials.
Report any suspected asbestos to your supervisor and keep people away from the area.
Follow the site emergency procedure for suspected asbestos discovery without exception.
Know what asbestos materials look like and where they are commonly found in buildings.
Ensure a refurbishment and demolition survey has been done before intrusive work starts.
Attend asbestos awareness refresher training at the required intervals.
Leave suspected materials undisturbed and prevent others from accessing the area.
Wash your hands and face thoroughly if you think you may have been exposed.

DON'T start work on pre-2000 buildings without checking the asbestos survey first.
DON'T work on refurbishment or demolition without a valid asbestos awareness certificate.
DON'T disturb, drill, cut, sand, or break any material you suspect may contain asbestos.
DON'T try to identify asbestos by sight alone — it can only be confirmed by laboratory analysis.
DON'T assume a building is asbestos-free because it looks modern or recently renovated.
DON'T ignore asbestos labels, warning signs, or management plan restrictions.
DON'T remove or dispose of suspected asbestos yourself — only licensed contractors may do this.
DON'T let your asbestos awareness training lapse — refresher training is legally required.
DON'T sweep or vacuum suspected asbestos debris — this spreads fibres into the air.
DON'T take contaminated clothing home — fibres on work clothes can expose your family.

See also: Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys | Emergency Procedures (Suspected ACM)

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Toolbox Talk Record