When preparing for demolition work on a building, a part of your house or a disused garage, some precautions must be taken in regards to asbestos-containing materials – especially if the structure in question pre-dates the banning of asbestos materials in construction in the year 1999.
Whilst your building may have had extensive refurbishment done over the years to make it look modern, chances are extremely high that asbestos was used within its construction and still is present within certain fixtures, fittings and design features.
Whilst it may be safely contained before you move into a property, it may become disturbed by any work undertaken on the building in question – especially in the case of large-scale building work or demolition – it then poses a potential high exposure level to anyone within the vicinity.
Demolition work is when asbestos is at its most hazardous to human health, and mitigating that risk is of the utmost importance.
Why asbestos is dangerous?
Within construction in the last century, it was utilised in the construction of residential, commercial and industrial buildings throughout the UK. However, its discovery and reporting of its effects on human health was discovered long after it had become the go-to material for construction.
When the material was disturbed or degenerated into poor condition, fibres from it were released into the breathable air. This allowed many unknowing people to breathe them into their lungs, where they remained impossible to remove and began to cause irreparable damage to the human body – including forms of cancer within the lungs.
If a building or a section of one is planned to be demolished, surveys for asbestos need to be undertaken to monitor and record the potential risks to people working in the area and the general public before any asbestos removal Manchester can take place.
Planning
When demolition work of older premises is scheduled to take place, there should be an asbestos report identifying the location and condition of any asbestos within the building in question.
However long these reports have been standing, you should never assume that the conditions still stand from when it was taken. Asbestos can deteriorate over time from many different instances, and they will pose challenges to your intended demolition plans. Whoever is carrying out the demolition has the duty of care towards anyone working on the demolition, as well as anyone else occupying the site, to ensure that they are protected against asbestos exposure.
This is where Grosvenor Asbestos Solutions can help. We offer an asbestos survey Manchester report assessment and then potential new and updated asbestos demolition survey works. Our reports are easy to understand and accurate. For asbestos testing and the full range of asbestos removal south Manchester services, contact the team at Grosvenor Asbestos Solutions today.
