Asbestos Awareness: When Everyday Jobs Carry Hidden Risks

30 Sep 2025

Asbestos doesn’t jump out at you. It sits there, hidden in roof panels, floor tiles, pipework. And the catch is this: even when carrying out the simplest jobs like pulling down a ceiling tile or drilling a few holes, it can be enough to set fibres loose. 

Most workers don’t realise it until after they’ve disturbed asbestos, and by then, it’s often too late. That’s why workplace health and safety rules treat asbestos so seriously.

The Everyday Triggers Nobody Thinks About

You don’t have to be on a demolition site to run into trouble. Renovations in older offices, quick patch-ups in schools, and even routine maintenance jobs can expose asbestos. 

Once disturbed, the fibres hang in the air and damage builds up in the lungs over many years. It’s slow, it’s invisible, and it’s exactly why hazard identification has to come before the job starts.

Common triggers include:

• Cutting into pipe lagging or ductwork

• Stripping out partitions during refits

• Moving old ceiling or floor tiles

• Drilling through insulation boards

All of these feel like everyday work, but they’re not safe if asbestos is present. As such, if there’s any uncertainty at all, an asbestos survey should always be carried out. 

Rules You Can’t Ignore

Irish safety regulations are clear on the subject of asbestos: employers have to carry out proper workplace risk assessments before starting any job where asbestos might crop up. That means:

• Commissioning asbestos surveys from qualified asbestos surveyors

• Using licensed asbestos companies for asbestos removal and disposal

• Training staff so they understand safety in the workplace

Trying to figure out how to remove asbestos yourself isn’t just risky - it’s illegal. If you suspect this deadly material is present, the first thing you do is talk to the experts.

Protecting Yourself & Your Staff Against this Deadly Material

A single mistake can stop a project, trigger fines, or worse. Ordinary jobs can carry extraordinary risks. That’s why workplace risk management and professional asbestos abatement are what keep staff and clients safe, and reputations intact.

At OHSS, our health and safety consultants in Ireland work with firms every week that discover asbestos mid-project. The lesson is always the same: if you plan properly, you keep people safe and the job on track.

If you need advice on workplace safety or you think asbestos might be present at your premises, talk to us today on 01 6905907.

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