possible asbestos dust contact

[training_spark]

Hi

im very concerned that i have been in contact with asbestos dust

the roofing of the main building is made of asbestos and the small office roof inside the building was covered in grey dust

i believe that this could be asbestos dust and i was only made aware when i began walking around on the roof space when the dust was moving about.

also speaking to others its possible that i was sent there with my supervisors knowing of the problem as the others have mentioned it before....

what should i do? ?:| bad day explode

 

[green-hornet]

It is unlikely that you will suffer any threat from this encounter. However it is against all health and safety regulations to be placed in possible danger. Any and all kinds of asbestos has to be identified and removed before any workers are put at risk. The specialist removal/cleaning company will give the all clear and certificate when they say its safe and not your employer.

 

[training_spark]

so if it was dust & not the breaking up dust of asbestos the risk is slightly less?

 

[M107]

If they knew asbestos or asbestos dust is present in the building, then a survey should have been carried out & a log/register left on the site.

You as the contractor should have been given the log/register to read & sign, if the log shows asbestos present in the location you are to work in, then relevant PPE & decon area should be supplied or even better work should be refused untill asbestos/dust is removed or sealed over.

Thats what I have to do on all the counties fire stations.

You could always drop an nameless note or call with your concerns to HSE.

 

[Nicky Tesla]

it is now a legal requirement for certain propertys to have an asbestos survey prior to having work done

 

[Sidewinder]

Nicky,

It is a legal requirement for all workplaces to have an asbestos survey undertaken in compliance with statutory legislation.

Including domestic premises once they become places of work!

 

[Andy™]

Hiim very concerned that i have been in contact with asbestos dust

the roofing of the main building is made of asbestos and the small office roof inside the building was covered in grey dust

has the asbestos roof been disturbed?

sounds more like you making a fuss over normal dust that is everywhere

 

[Cirrus]

I am currently going through an HSE investigation regarding my previous employer and their absence of notification / paperwork regarding properties I was working in with asbestos present. Make the call to the HSE - you need to be protected at ALL costs because there are so many that will not look out for you so you need to ensure you look after your own welfare. You CANNOT be safe enough from this stuff!

 

[Sidewinder]

One issue here is that asbestos related disease can have a latency period of typically 15 years!

Thus you may not know if you have been affected for this time!

 

[Nicky Tesla]

im not sure if an x ray can detect if you have inhaled some

 

[Andy™]

i doubt an xray could pick up asbestos dust. asbestos is far too small

 

[Sidewinder]

Quick check reveals that particles that will reach the alveoli need to be shorter than 10 microns, though the exact definition is a bit complex.

Would these show up on an X-Ray?

I doubt it, sorry.

10 microns is 0.01 of 1mm in length, that is 0.00001m in length & this does not simultaneously define the diameter of the fibre also which has a bearing on the physiological affects.

Do you think you could spot them at these dimensions?

 

[training_spark]

[quote name='Andy

 

[sanny]

I think i would be insisting that this area is tested (for your own piece of mind and the future safety of others working in this area)

If asbestos is found to be present you should have it recorded that you were working in that area incase of any future claim/legal action!

 

[nutsy]

so if it was dust & not the breaking up dust of asbestos the risk is slightly less?

if it is asbestos dust it is even more dangerous than breaking the asbestos up in the first place as you can limit the dust by wetting the sheet. if you are worried tell your boss you refuse to go back there till its been tested and given all clear or not as case may be then they will have to make arrangements to clear it. had a job like that few years back boss said werent asbestos, took our own sample had it checked and it was, cost him five grand to get it cleared. always ask to see paper work. maybe as previous quote says no name call to hse. after all look after number one no-one else will.

 

[Evans Electric]

You are right to be concerned about asbestos , Trainy, however I am guessing and can only guess , that the top of the office was covered in the general dust found in most places where nobody cleans .

If you think your supervisors have knowingly sent you into a dangerous situation , then they should be reported to HSE . (Following the application of a cheese grater to the scrotum)

 

[Cirrus]

No X-Ray will show anything at all. I have been to docs and had my exposure recorded but there is no way of telling if you have anything asbestos related. We just have to pray that time doesn't allow the fibres to work into mesothelioma / cancer. Morose, I know but it is a massive killer and is getting worse!

 

[M107]

Fingers crossed for you Cirrus mate.

We had a section/cupboards of a station sealed off as we were sure asbestos dust was present in the intake room post some building work undertaken by another contractor (ceilings pulled down & wall moved), powers that be said no it's been checked & is fine, we refused to underatke any work untill it was restested as work done was 1 year back but asbestos check was 3 years ago.......we were bang on place was sealed off & dust removed, floor tiles still tagged as containing asbestos mind.

 

[training_spark]

No X-Ray will show anything at all. I have been to docs and had my exposure recorded but there is no way of telling if you have anything asbestos related. We just have to pray that time doesn't allow the fibres to work into mesothelioma / cancer. Morose, I know but it is a massive killer and is getting worse!

just read your thread on your story....sickening how people try and cut corners to save money by ignoring the safety side of things

 

[green-hornet]

I have just read through all the posts, and I think all posters should receive a thanks, I am very interested in the reply from Cirrus it looks like you have had first hand experience.

My conclusion to the debate is this

Never take the risk, its a killer, and electricians die from it every year.

Sod the job and report your concerns, its easy for me to say I know but no job is worth a life.