Asbestos Removal Bexley Greater London (DA5): Asbestos is categorised as a substance that is harmful to health and is accountable for about five thousand deaths annually, (according to the Health & Safety Executive - HSE). If you discover asbestos in your Bexley home or business premises, and it needs removing and disposing of, you should seek advice from a professional in the asbestos sector before commencing any work. You need to cease work straight away and get in touch with a licensed asbestos surveyor, if during building works you believe you have stumbled on some asbestos. You'll need these specialists to establish if it actually is asbestos so as to formulate the correct and safest method of disposal.
It may be found during the survey that you don't have to hire a HSE certified company for the asbestos removal and disposal. But, with the long term health risks to people who come in contact with it, it's always advisable to bring in specialist help from the asbestos removal industry. Always use a certified Bexley asbestos removal contractor who adheres to the appropriate HSE guidelines and has had training in the industry.
HEALTH DANGERS FROM ASBESTOS
Asbestos when it is left untouched isn't harmful to health. Asbestos can discharge small particles or fibres into the surrounding air only when cut, abraded or damaged. When these particles enter the lungs through breathing, they can often cause a medical condition with the name, asbestosis. These fibres are also a contributing factor to the onset of lung cancer and mesothelioma.
There is no cure known for asbestosis, and the scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibres is irreversible.
The symptoms of asbestosis could include:
- Pain in Your Shoulder or Chest
- Chronic Cough
- Extreme Fatigue
- Wheezing
- Severe Shortness of Breath
You need to seek medical advice if you believe that you've been exposed to asbestos over time and you've developed symptoms from the above list.
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH ASBESTOS
Asbestos was extensively used in British building and construction projects from 1945 to 1985, but was only banned for use in 1999. If your property was constructed in this time period you must be aware of the possibilities of finding asbestos when carrying out remodelling work. It was used as an insulation material in walls, roofs and for pipes, and was also an excellent fire proofing material.
If you do come across asbestos in your home in Bexley, it does not automatically result in an immediate danger or threat. It's only when asbestos is damaged or disturbed that it can become a hazard to health. There are a few situations where it could be better to leave the asbestos in situ, making sure it is not in any danger of being damaged. If you're at all uncertain or need to find out about safe ways to deal with asbestos in your home or business premises it is best to speak to an experienced asbestos removal contractor in Bexley for advice.
Not all asbestos products are high risk and require registered asbestos removal technicians to deal with them. For instance, asbestos insulation boards, loose fill insulation and pipe lagging are considered to be a higher risk than asbestos cement sheets and roofing panels. A certified asbestos removal contractor in Bexley is able to provide you with a risk-free method for removing all forms of asbestos that could be identified in your home.
If the removing of asbestos has a requirement for a HSE license holder to carry out the task, then the Health & Safety Executive or the local authority has to be informed. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 are the procedures that your asbestos removal firm must comply with in order to safeguard individuals and work areas from asbestos dust and fibre.
Be warned it is an offence punishable by law to perform anything deemed to be licensed work without having a license.
ASBESTOS DISPOSAL
When any asbestos product has been removed from your Bexley home it's classed as hazardous waste. Any hazardous waste, particularly that containing asbestos materials, has demanding rules for the manner in which it can be disposed of safely. A reliable asbestos removal contractor in Bexley will adhere to all regulations and guidelines issued by the local authority and the Health & Safety Executive.
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Act 2009 (CDG 2009) deals with the transportation and disposal of asbestos if it's in the form of loose fibres or is damaged. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Act 2009 stipulates a separate waste carrier's license is essential and that the asbestos waste must be disposed of in a registered hazardous waste disposal facility. For peace of mind the employment of a licensed Bexley asbestos removal service will give them the responsibility of following all rules and guidelines, including the safe-keeping of all work and disposal records for a minimum of 3 years just in case it's required for reference afterwards.
THE STAGES OF WORK
You must authenticate any suspected instances of asbestos in your Bexley home or property before you start any debris removal. Inspections and surveys by registered and licensed asbestos removal companies or asbestos surveyors are the only means by which to accurately indicate the asbestos hazard in your home or business premises. If you do not carry out testing for asbestos and your home was built prior to 1999, you should expect that there probably is asbestos present and implement all the necessary safety measures.
A certified asbestos surveyor will perform all sample-taking, inspections and analysis must be independent of your asbestos removal contractor.
If the survey uncovers asbestos materials that require a registered firm for removal and disposal, the Health & Safety Executive must be advised at least 14 days prior to the commencement of work. An experienced asbestos removal contractor will supply all the necessary documents which should include: 1. A work declaration displaying the regulations and legislation that are going to be observed. 2. All work licenses, risk assessments, medical certificates and hazardous waste disposal training & testing for the specific task. 3. A written statement showing how the asbestos samples are going to be tested and the approach to ensuring the site is safe once the dangerous materials have been removed. 4. If required, because of the nature of asbestos removal works, there will be a comprehensive check of the four stages of clearances and a Certificate of Reoccupation will then be issued.
Sufficient personal protective equipment will be provided for all persons working on the site, by the asbestos removal company, and they will also ensure the appropriate method of disposal of any asbestos materials.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS, AFFILIATIONS and QUALIFICATIONS
To make sure you choose a reliable asbestos removal company in Bexley there are two or three industry associations and bodies for asbestos management professionals.
ARCA - The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) is Britain's premier association which represents businesses working in the asbestos sector. Providing an extensive package of guidance, training and support, ARCA has taken responsibility for furthering reliability, professionalism and safe working practices for its respected members.
ATaC - Asbestos surveyors, analysts and testing facilities will usually be affiliated with ATaC, the Asbestos Testing Consultancy Association. ATaC is an accredited UKAS affiliate and provides recognition for its members in this specialised field.
UKATA - The not for profit organisation, UKATA (the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Agency), commits itself to bettering industry standards by offering the best quality training for any person working with asbestos. From property owners to industry leaders, it provides instantly recognisable qualifications that can be verified and checked via their online portal.
Types of Asbestos
Popular in both the manufacturing and construction industries from the latter part of the nineteenth century until it was banned in Great Britain in 1999, asbestos is a fibrous material that occurs naturally on every continent of the world. There are 6 specific minerals which are classed as asbestos, namely - amosite, crocidolite, chrysotile, actinolite, tremolite and anthophyllite, and these minerals all belong to the two families serpentine and amphibole.
It is somewhat beyond the scope of this short article to look at all but the 3 principal types - amosite, chrysotile and crocidolite.
Chrysotile (White Asbestos) - Also know as white asbestos, chrysotile asbestos was the most commonly used form of this dangerous material. It was used in the manufacture of brake linings, gaskets, pipe & duct insulation and boiler seals, and in the ceilings, insulation, floors, roofs and walls of many Bexley homes and business premises.
Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos) - The most dangerous of all the asbestos minerals is crocidolite (also known as blue asbestos). It is part of the Amphibole family and was frequently used for insulating steam engines, and also for plastics, spray-on coatings, cement products and pipe insulation.
Amosite (Brown Asbestos or Grunerite) - Part of the Amphibole family of silicate minerals, Amosite (grunerite or brown asbestos), was mostly mined in South Africa and was used in the manufacture of roofing materials, cement sheets, thermal insulation products, insulating board, ceiling tiles and pipe insulation.
Amazing But True: An interesting but shocking fact is that blue asbestos was even used in the production of filter cigarettes, so smokers were actually breathing this dangerous stuff directly into their lungs during the 50s. Even more shocking is that at the time it was promoted as beneficial to health! Yes, blunder of the century must be awarded to the US based Lorillard Tobacco Company, who put the most deadly type of asbestos (crocidolite) into their Kent Micronite cigarette filters. Over six decades later million dollar lawsuits are still being raised by the unfortunate victims of this scandal. Among other health conditions experienced by victims, many were beset by a rare and aggressive type of cancer called mesothelioma.
Land Remediation Bexley
The process of land (ground) remediation aims to remove and restore groundwater or contaminated soil to a safe and acceptable level. Ground remediation is typically necessary in areas where pollutants, like heavy metals, pesticides or industrial chemicals, have caused soil or groundwater contamination. Ground remediation is carried out with the goal of lowering the concentration of contaminants present to a satisfactory level, thereby restoring the safety of the land. The methods used for ground remediation can vary, with some common techniques including soil washing, bioremediation and excavation. The strategy used will depend on the extent and type of contamination, in addition to the site conditions. Ground remediation is a complex and involved procedure that requires specific expertise and specialised equipment. Ensuring that the remediation process is carried out safely and effectively requires working with seasoned professionals who've got the necessary skills and expertise.
Asbestos Sampling Bexley
The analysis of suspect materials to identify whether they contain any asbestos or not is a process known as asbestos sampling/testing. If you've identified such materials in your home or office in Bexley, which you believe may contain asbestos, samples have to be taken and sent off to a specialist for examination. Amongst the most widespread asbestos containing materials found in properties in Bexley are: sprayed coatings, pipe/duct coverings, wallboard, textured coatings (i.e. Artex), sheet roofing, guttering and shed roofs. Any property in Bexley that was constructed before the year 2000 and is undergoing major renovation will need asbestos sampling and testing on potential asbestos containing materials.
All assessments of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) have to be undertaken by a UKAS certified laboratory (ISO 17025), in keeping with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. While searching online for "asbestos sampling" or "asbestos testing", you might see adverts for asbestos testing kits, which may seem cheaper and more appealing than going through the bother of contacting a professional service. However, it is neither advisable or reliable to use these for ascertaining whether certain materials within your property contain asbestos. Keep to the professionals and use a specialist asbestos testing contractor, for reliable and safe testing and sampling.
Artex Removal
Back in the 1970s and 80s it was pretty common for both contractors and do-it-yourself enthusiasts in Bexley, to apply coatings of Artex to their ceilings and walls. Any defects, inconsistencies and cracks in these surfaces were quickly covered up by the textured, flexible finish of Artex. Artex was typically used as a replacement for polystyrene ceiling tiles, which were in fashion for a while but created a considerable fire hazard in many properties.
The paradox is that these individuals were purely changing one hazardous material for another, given that Artex contained asbestos. This was of course not known at the time, and the real perils of asbestos in building materials wasn't fully understood. Providing this material isn't disturbed, it is largely safe, and its a good job, since there are still a lot of houses in Bexley which have Artex coated walls and ceilings.
If you have a home or business premises in Bexley that has Artex on the walls or ceilings you must not try to remove it by yourself, although textured coating removal is classified as a non-licenced undertaking. To harmlessly remove the Artex, you should contact a local asbestos removal contractor in Bexley, who'll provide you with prices for both inspecting and removing the offending coatings.
Asbestos Removal Contractors Bexley
Companies that specialize in asbestos removal are equipped to safely remove and dispose of materials containing asbestos. These companies have licensed and trained professionals who have the necessary know-how, protective equipment and experience to handle the risks associated with asbestos removal.
Compliance with strict protocols and regulations set by regulatory bodies such as the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) guarantees the safe and proper removal of asbestos by asbestos removal companies. Specialist tools and techniques are used to safely remove and dispose of asbestos materials, which reduces the risk of exposure to harmful asbestos fibres. Safeguarding public health and the environment is significantly aided by the effective management of the hazards associated with asbestos by asbestos removal contractors.
Asbestos Removal Tasks Bexley Asbestos removal companies will be able to help with asbestos risk assessment in Bexley, asbestos van collection, asbestos management, site investigations, Artex removal, pre-demolition asbestos surveys, asbestos management services, asbestos floor tile removal, asbestos ceiling removal, asbestos insulation removal, hazardous asbestos removal Bexley, the identification of ACMs (asbestos containing materials), hazardous material management, asbestos roof tile removal, asbestos surveying, ground remediation Bexley, brown asbestos removal Bexley, artex asbestos surveys, asbestos inspections, industrial asbestos surveys in Bexley, asbestos dismantling, commercial asbestos removal Bexley, licensed asbestos removal Bexley, asbestos replacement, asbestos removal prices in Bexley, domestic asbestos survey, asbestos strip-outs, ethical asbestos disposal, unsafe asbestos removal Bexley, residential asbestos removal Bexley, hazardous waste removal, asbestos encasement, office clearance Bexley, soft stripping Bexley, and other hazardous waste related work. Listed are just a few of the tasks that are undertaken by those specialising in asbestos removal. Bexley professionals will keep you informed about their whole range of services.
Other Bexley Tradespeople: When you're in need of asbestos removal in Bexley, you might also need the professional services of other specialists, for instance you might need a cellar conversion specialist in Bexley, driveway cleaning in Bexley, garden clearance in Bexley, removal services in Bexley, timber treatment in Bexley, a cleaner in Bexley, a plasterer in Bexley, waste removal in Bexley, demolition services in Bexley, a dry lining specialist in Bexley, a handyman in Bexley, a carpenter in Bexley, a roofer in Bexley, SKIP HIRE in Bexley, a bricklayer in Bexley, a painter & decorator in Bexley, a builder in Bexley, a flooring contractor in Bexley, a landscaper in Bexley, an electrician in Bexley, or other Bexley tradespeople.
Asbestos Removal Near Bexley
Also find: Welling asbestos removal, Crayford asbestos removal, Barnehurst asbestos removal, Chislehurst asbestos removal, North Cray asbestos removal, Northumberland Heath asbestos removal, Blackfen asbestos removal, Coldblow asbestos removal, Leyton Cross asbestos removal, Slade Green asbestos removal, Albany Park asbestos removal and more. Anyone who is searching for asbestos removal, will discover that these types of services are readily available in most of these locations. Householders in the region can obtain asbestos removal estimates by clicking here.
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