Asbestos Types and the Risks they Represent

13 Jan 2020

Asbestos Types and the Risks they Represent

At OHSS Safety Consultants, we have over two decades of experience in helping companies across Ireland to adhere to asbestos regulations. Part of the work we do involves educating businesses on the requirements of removing asbestos safely, as well as how to spot the signs that asbestos exists in the workplace.

Here we look at the types of asbestos that you might encounter and how much of a risk they represent. So, without further ado, let’s get stuck in.

Asbestos Types
Asbestos companies will routinely encounter three main types of the hazardous building material and they are:


  • Crocidolite a.k.a. Blue Asbestos - found in thermal insulation and ceiling tiles

  • Amosite a.k.a. Brown Asbestos - found in plumbing and electrical insulation

  • Chrysotile a.k.a. White Asbestos - found in walls, floors and ceilings

Due to the widespread use of asbestos in the 20th century, asbestos abatement companies find it in many buildings that were built before the ban that came in during the 1990s.


The Risks
Whilst asbestos still represents a minimal risk when all of its fibres are left intact (such as when talking about asbestos cement), it becomes very much more dangerous when the fibres are disturbed and become airborne. In this state, they can be inhaled and can lead to mesothelioma, an especially aggressive type of lung cancer.


Even as we enter another decade, there is still an enormous amount of asbestos contained in wall partitions, pipework, boilers, roof tiles, gutters and well….the list goes on. The important take away from this information is that if you are carrying out any renovation work and there is any suspicion that asbestos could be disturbed as a result, you need to call the professionals so that they can conduct asbestos surveys and advise you accordingly.

Get in Touch with the Professionals
If you’d like to learn more about anything discussed here, please visit us at www.ohss.ie where you can find everything you need to know. Alternatively, if you’d like to talk to a member of our team about your occupational hygiene or asbestos requirements, call us now on (01) 6905907.





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