Why is safely removing asbestos so important?

21 Mar 2017

Between 1940 and even as late as the 1970s, asbestos was used commonly in building as a useful material for insulation and as a fire retardant.

However, not long after this, it was discovered that asbestos and in particular the fibres that it throws up into the air when disturbed, is an extremely hazardous material to anyone exposed to it.

DIY

If you own or lease a business premises and find what you think may be asbestos there, don’t, whatever you do, try and remove it yourself. It is a BAD idea. Removal of asbestos without the proper safety equipment can have an extremely detrimental effect on the health of anyone present.

Asbestos is not only a danger to health, but also to life, with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer, a commonly associated condition. All it takes is for someone to inhale airborne fibres and this awful illness is a real possibility.

So, what to do?

First things first. Don’t panic. As long as it is not disturbed, asbestos is usually not dangerous. In the event of finding asbestos in your property, the wisest thing to do is contact an Occupational Health and Safety consultancy such as OHSS www.ohss.ie.

Do this one thing and you immediately tap in their know-how and experience.

What to expect

Initially, an assessment will be made by a professional asbestos removal specialist to assess the situation and determine the most appropriate action to take.

Monitoring air toxicity and other factors throughout the process, your harmful asbestos will be removed and disposed of in a safe manner followed by a last sweep of the area in question to check for any remaining harmful airborne fibres.

Only then can you be sure that your place of work is safe to return to.

Better safe than sorry

Attempt to remove asbestos yourself and you endanger not just your life, but anyone entering your place of business. It is a gamble that just isn’t worth taking, as the cost of professional removal is far outweighed by the need to keep yourself, your staff and your clients safe.

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