Asbestos

At Fire Link Fire and Safety Services we can help you be compliant with CAR 2012 by undertaking asbestos surveys of your premises to identify and ACMs present. We can also help you produce an asbestos management plan outlining the future management of any identified ACMs within your premises.

Key facts about asbestos

Asbestos-related diseases currently kill more people then any other single work-related illness and are currently responsible for more than 4000 deaths a year. Whilst the use of all asbestos products was banned in 1999, many tradesmen, including plumbers and electricians continue to die as a result of contact with asbestos containing materials. Asbestos-related diseases can take between 15-60 years to develop and currently there is no known cure.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) requires building owners, landlords and agents (as the duty holders) to manage their asbestos containing materials in non domestic premises and are required to:

• Identify all asbestos containing materials (ACMs) present
• Assess the risk posed by ACMs
• Prepare a detailed written plan on how to manage the risk of asbestos
• Implement the plan
• Review and monitor the plan to ensure compliance
• Inform those who need to know the location and condition of all ACMs present

When ACMs are disturbed or broken, they can release harmful fibres into the air which can be breathed in by anyone nearby.  Asbestos fibres within the body cannot be broken down by the body’s natural defenses.

ACMs, in good condition and left undisturbed, cannot cause ill health.

The greater the disturbance of ACMs and the longer the duration of the disturbance, the greater the risk is to health and safety.

Smokers exposed to asbestos are ten times more likely to develop lung cancer than non smokers.