Written By: admin on May 18, 2010396 CommentsCouncil asbestos disposal experts were called in to remove an industrial bag full of broken asbestos roofing yesterday, the Derby Telegraph reports. The Council was alerted after a local resident identified the risk in Breadsall. The material, believed to have been removed from a shed roof by the fly-tipper, had to be carefully dealt with by a specialist team wearing protective clothing.Asbestos is an extremely dangerous substance when disturbed, making it very alarming that someone would leave a bag full of destroyed corrugated roofing in the street. The inhalation of airborne asbestos fibres can lead to a number of fatal conditions including mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.There are a number of precautions that should be taken when handling asbestos containing materials (ACMs), first and foremost of which is that undisturbed asbestos should be left alone. When disturbed asbestos can break, releasing minute fibres into the atmosphere, which are easily inhaled. Such fibres can become lodged in the pleural membrane, and may resist the body’s natural defences in order to remain there.If there is a risk that the asbestos might decay (or if it has already begun to decay), it is necessary to take steps to minimise the risk to human health. These include painting over the material with an impermeable layer of paint. An asbestos surveyor can be consulted in order to identify the most prudent course. If it is necessary to remove asbestos from the building, sensible precautions include:Avoiding the use of power toolsKeeping the asbestos dampWearing a suitable face mask (an ordinary dust mask is not suitable)Never smoking, eating or drinking around asbestosSecurely packaging and labelling asbestos wasteCleaning up fibres with an asbestos vacuum cleanerWearing disposable overalls and boot coversNever carrying asbestos off-site in a carThe Health and Safety Executive website contains detailed guidance on the nature of the risks associated with handling asbestos and up-to-date information on the best practice for minimising those risks.
View the Original article
