Fully Licensed Asbestos Removal Service in Alton

Useful information about asbestos and its prevalence

 

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the generic name for a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals, composed of thin fibres. However, beyond the technical jargon and text book definitions, what exactly is asbestos, and what do you need to know?
As mentioned briefly above, asbestos was predominantly used as a building material, either on its own or as an active ingredient with other products.

It was mined in huge qualities throughout Russia, Canada and then many other countries as reserves were found. Asbestos became known as a ‘wonder material’ during its heyday. This was due to the raft of versatile properties it naturally possessed, such as its fire resistance and ability to insulate buildings.

Why was asbestos used so much

Asbestos became very popular because it was cost effective to mine from the ground, easy transport and use in production. These benefits coupled with its practical utility, asbestos became the number one resource for companies making products for builders and construction across the country, including of course Alton.

During World War II, many areas in the UK were destroyed by sustained bombing. Therefore, during the 1950s and 1960s, government and councils faced the daunting task of rebuilding thousands of factories, schools, universities, hospitals, offices and of course houses. This needed to be accomplished in a short space of time, so as to help the country recover quickly.

Affordable and versatile, asbestos was the versatile ‘wonder product’ within that project. It permitted the authorities to reconstruct more buildings faster, therefore minimising disruption and getting essential services back to normal. Because the material was so prevalent, private land owners and building firms followed suit.

Building suppliers across the land and including Alton were stocking the products that contained asbestos. Therefore, it became the staple material of the building products within the supply chain.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

While the positive applications of asbestos are clear, they are now outweighed by the potentially fatal health risks. As briefly mentioned above, when disturbed or damaged, asbestos releases dangerous fibres.

It is now proven without doubt that inhaling asbestos fibres can cause two types of cancer: mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. Additionally, asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs, is also a potential consequence of exposure.
Around 3,500 people die every year from asbestos-related diseases. Because there is a known latency period of between 10 and 60 years from asbestos exposure, it often leads to complacency among homeowners and construction workers.

This complacent attitude has to be changed and in supporting the HSE safety awareness, M3 Asbestos are playing our part each day in educating and advising of the dangers.

History tells us that the first documented death relating to asbestos happened in 1906, however regulations to control exposure were only introduced in 1969. Knowledge of potential dangers didn’t spread until the 1970s, and even then, they were not really taken seriously enough. So, after various stages of reform due to growing medical issue awareness by health authorities, asbestos was finally banned in 1999. With its removal from sale, it is now illegal to import, supply or use asbestos in Alton and the UK as a whole.

What is asbestos removal?

Following the asbestos ban, pressure to remove the product was placed upon government, businesses and contractors forcing them to reduce the risk of exposure for people. Likewise, private landlords were forced to follow suit and filtering down to homeowners who were encouraged to undertake increased asbestos sampling, initially when properties were bought and sold, seeking to comply with the changing regulations.

The asbestos removal industry can therefore be seen as a force for public good. The asbestos removal process can seem complicated, but companies such as M3 Asbestos are committed to providing clear advice and quality service in this regard. We have maintained a full asbestos removal license for over 35 years, audited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which speaks to our expertise in all areas of asbestos abatement.

There are two types of asbestos removal: licensed asbestos removal and non-licensed asbestos removal. Licensed asbestos removal encompasses higher risk materials and/or in larger quantities. While non-licensed asbestos removal must adhere to a very specific set of circumstances.
Nevertheless, professional advice and guidance should always be sought prior to working with, near or on asbestos-containing materials. Removing asbestos, regardless of its extent and condition, can be incredibly dangerous. Similarly, disposing of asbestos requires a nuanced understanding of the rulebook.

There are many companies that trade as asbestos removal experts to the Alton area, however many of them are nothing more than un-licenced contractors, chancing their luck perhaps.
As soon as they spot that the job involves licenced asbestos removal due to type or quantity involved, they call in licenced firms to act as their sub-contractors.

On occasions, what starts out to be an un-licenced removal of lower risk asbestos cement, turns out to conceal a higher risk product such as loose fill insulation made from 100% asbestos behind it.

Clearly the job was not surveyed properly, but what happens next?

Do they carry on and putting everyone at risk by trying to cover their mistake?

Do they even recognise they have uncovered the highest risk – 100% asbestos insulation product?

Or do they call in a licensed expert contractor at a higher cost, and if so, who’s paying the difference now?

The best advice is to always get a quote from a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) fully licenced asbestos contractor. Ask to see their licence and satisfy yourself that you are dealing with the same firm and not another who have borrowed a licence. Check their insurances too, make sure they are all up to date.

We are always happy to discuss and satisfy your concerns dispensing free advice on the best course of action for your asbestos removal challenges in Alton.

Which products contain asbestos, and what does asbestos look like?

Asbestos fibres are microscopic making them invisible to the human eye. However, it is possible for trained professionals to identify asbestos-containing materials through detailed inspection.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 place a legal duty on building owners and managers to identify, manage and where needed, remove asbestos from their premises. Specifically, Regulation 4 says that the building duty holder must, among other responsibilities do the following:

• take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in;
• make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos containing materials – or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos. This is called an asbestos register;
• and provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.

Asbestos surveys achieve those objectives, especially before major refurbishment and demolition projects.

We conduct asbestos surveys in Alton and beyond, supporting large businesses and individual homeowners alike as they take responsibility and seek asbestos help.
Asbestos can be found in over 3,000 different building products. Almost any building built or refurbished prior to the year 2000 is therefore likely to contain asbestos. This makes asbestos the most serious occupational health hazard in Alton and the UK.

Where to find the safer, more comprehensive asbestos removal services

The asbestos removal industry around Alton can seem confusing when people first encounter the substance. Frequently new homeowners hear a news story or read a house survey report about asbestos and immediately take to Google with a range of anxious questions:

• How much does asbestos removal cost?
• Is my garage made of asbestos?
• How to remove asbestos in Artex
• HSE guidance on asbestos removal

If you are or ever in such a situation, take a deep breath and try to apply some context to the situation. Even commercial asbestos removal of the largest scale is manageable for trained professionals who have done this safely for many years. There is always somebody who can help and we have been doing exactly this since 1985.

Here at M3 Asbestos Limited, we are distinguished by a modern philosophy of environmental health and safety. We appreciate that times have changed and so has the landscape of asbestos removal in Alton. We are at the cutting-edge making use of the innovations, making sure that we do it safely, and that we do it right.

If you are worried about asbestos in your home, workplace or local area, please get in touch with us at M3 Asbestos today on 01256 384 192

We are your experienced and trustworthy, fully licensed Alton asbestos removal experts.