Twenty tradesmen a week die from asbestos related diseases. Electricians, Plumbers, Heating and Ventilation Engineers, Joiners and Plasters are all trades where you are likely to come across asbestos – if you do not know how to work safely with asbestos, the dust it creates can kill you.

Any building that was built before the year 2000 is likely to contain asbestos and in many cases it is in places that are not easily visible.
It is best to aoid working with asbestos where possible. If you suspect there could be asbestos where you will be working, don’t start work. Your boss should be able to tell you if asbestos is present. There should also be an asbestos register for workplace buildings.

You should only work with asbestos if you have been trained to do so safely. Only licensed contractors can work on asbestos materials that are spray coatings, board or insulation and lagging on pipes and boilers. Some kinds of asbestos are too dangerous to work with.
To find out about more about licensed materials you should visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos

You do not need a license to work with materials that are asbestos cement, textured coatings and certain other asbestos based materials (a full list of non licensed materials can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos). However you should only start work on these materials if you have been properly trained in asbestos work and you have the right precautions and equipment in place.

If you are unsure do not start work – seek advice from either your boss or the HSE

Some common places you will find asbestos materials are:
- ceiling tiles
- coating on ceilings, walls and stairwells (textured coatings)
- sprayed coating on ducts, pipes and some ceilings
- boards around radiators, windows, fireplaces, building columns, pillars
- inside fire doors
- soffit boards
- insulation on pipes
- sealants on pipe joints, gaskets
- ropes and yarns
- fuse boxes
- electrical switchgear
- water tanks
- external cement products: roof sheets, down pipes.

Asbestos Training

If you want to find to be trained in working safely with Asbestos you should contact the UK Asbestos Training Association (www.ukata.org.uk, Tel: 01246 824437). They will be able to provide you with a list training providers in your area.

Asbestos Training (Non Licensed Asbestos Training) covers:
- asbestos health risks
- where to find it and what it looks like
- safe work methods to control exposure
- how to use and fit a face mask
- how to deal with asbestos waste
- how to decontaminate yourself and the
work area.

To find out more about working with asbestos contact the HSE:
HSE’s Infoline (0845 345 0055)
www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller