Asbestos - The Dangers and & The Regulations

6 May 2021

You may have heard about the dangers of asbestos before, you may not. If you haven’t worked in construction, you’re likely to have never needed to. However, it’s something that kills thousands around the world each year. The fibrous material occurs naturally and was widely used in construction throughout the 20th century due to its insulation and sound-proofing properties.

By the end of the 1970s the dangers of asbestos had become clear, leading eventually to new asbestos regulations being introduced and asbestos abatement companies being formed. It had been discovered that when airborne asbestos fibres were inhaled, they could cause a range of illness, with the main result being mesothelioma, a particularly nasty type of lung cancer. 

It Can Take 40 Years to Show
The health problems that can result from improper asbestos removal and disposal can be very insipid, with any illness taking up to 40 years to show. The fact that many buildings in Ireland were built before the ban came in, means that asbestos lurks behind every corner and when anyone comes across it, they need to know what the next steps are. 

Even today, we are seeing evidence of a failure to recognize the dangers of asbestos, with some contractors failing to have the right asbestos surveys and risk assessments done before renovation and demolition work. The fact is that you only need to inhale it once in a person’s life for it to have fatal consequences further down the line. 

Working to Protect Irish Businesses Since 2001
At OHSS, we have been assisting businesses to adhere to asbestos regulations in Ireland for over 20 years and so if you have any concerns about the material of your own, we encourage you to talk to us. People’s lives are very much put at risk if the wrong approach is taken and our years in the industry gives us the knowledge and expertise to help.

If you would like to know about our work in asbestos abatement or occupational hygiene, visit us online at www.ohss.ie or give us a call on 01 690 5907.

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