ASB/Specific/TBT-ASB-009

Asbestos in Floor Tiles and Adhesives

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Vinyl floor tiles manufactured before 2000 commonly contain chrysotile asbestos at up to 25% by weight.
The black bituminous adhesive used to fix these tiles also frequently contains asbestos fibres.
Asbestos floor tiles in good condition are low risk, but breaking, sanding, or grinding them releases fibres.
Refurbishment and demolition surveys must identify asbestos floor tiles before any work disturbs them.
Removing asbestos floor tiles is typically non-licensed work (NNLW) but still requires trained workers and controls.
Using powered floor strippers, sanders, or grinders on asbestos tiles creates extremely high fibre exposure.
The adhesive residue left after tile removal often contains more asbestos than the tiles themselves.
Encapsulation by overlaying new flooring over intact asbestos tiles is often the safest management option.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 apply to all work that may disturb asbestos floor coverings.
Workers must not assume old floor tiles are safe; laboratory analysis is the only way to confirm content.

Fibre release	Breaking or grinding asbestos floor tiles releases respirable fibres that cause mesothelioma and lung cancer decades later.
Hidden hazard	Asbestos floor tiles look identical to non-asbestos versions. Without testing, workers unknowingly expose themselves.
Adhesive risk	The black bituminous adhesive beneath tiles often contains more asbestos than the tile and is harder to remove safely.

Don't

DON'T use power tools to strip, sand, or grind suspect floor tiles.
DON'T break or snap floor tiles; remove them whole to minimise fibre release.
DON'T assume floor tiles are asbestos-free based on appearance or age alone.
DON'T dry sweep or vacuum asbestos tile debris with a standard vacuum cleaner.
DON'T scrape adhesive residue with power tools; use low-speed wet methods only.
DON'T mix asbestos floor tile waste with general construction waste.
DON'T remove asbestos tiles without the required NNLW notification to HSE.
DON'T overlay intact asbestos tiles without recording their presence in the asbestos register.
DON'T allow untrained workers to remove or disturb suspected asbestos floor tiles.
DON'T eat, drink, or smoke in areas where asbestos tiles are being removed.

See also: Asbestos Awareness | Non-Licensed Asbestos Work (NNLW)

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