What is Asbestos?

The chances are that you know what asbestos is – or at least you know that it is a potentially dangerous substance – but let’s take a look at what it is made up of. ‘Asbestos’ actually refers to any of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals – not as you might imagine, a man-made substance. [Read more…]

You say the word ‘asbestos’ in conversation and it will evoke feelings of toxicity, danger but also worryingly of the past. Many assume that because they remember their parents discussing the dangers of asbestos containing materials [Read more…]

It wasn’t until 1999 that the use of materials containing asbestos was banned, which means there’s still a lot of scope for different types of workers to come into contact with it, in particular construction workers.

As an employee, if your job requires possible disturbance of asbestos containing materials then you must have been adequately trained. Employers need to ensure that anyone in their employ has received training form a recognised body before coming into contact with asbestos. [Read more…]