Asbestos Removal Tunbridge Wells

Affordable Tunbridge Wells Asbestos Removal Services

Asbestos Removal Tunbridge Wells Kent (TN1): Approximately five thousand people in Britain die from medical issues caused by asbestos exposure annually, based on figures released by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive). You should seek expert help if your home in Tunbridge Wells contains some asbestos materials that need to be removed, because this must be achieved in a safe way. You should cease work immediately and bring in a licensed asbestos surveyor, if during construction work you believe you have stumbled on asbestos material. Having the skills and experience to fully evaluate the situation, an asbestos removal consultant in Tunbridge Wells is the person to call.

Tunbridge Wells Asbestos Removal Quotes

When you're dealing with asbestos removal in Tunbridge Wells there may be specific occasions where a non-licensed contractor can do the necessary work. But, with asbestos fibres and dust capable of doing long term damage and cause prolonged issues on people's health, it's always better to be safe than sorry. There are numerous legal guidelines in the asbestos industry with which an experienced Tunbridge Wells asbestos removal contractor must abide by in safely removing and disposing of any asbestos compounds.

Asbestos Removal Tunbridge Wells Kent (TN1)

THE HEALTH DANGERS OF ASBESTOS

Asbestos when it is left untouched doesn't carry any health risks. It is only if you damage it in some way that it can release its hazardous particles or fibres into the atmosphere. Asbestosis is the health condition that is caused by asbestos fibres entering into the lungs and getting trapped. It's been found that asbestos particles contribute to the onset of lung cancer.

The irreversible scarring of the lungs caused by asbestos fibres cannot be cured, and asbestosis has no known remedy.

Symptoms for asbestosis could include:

  • Persistent Cough
  • Extreme Fatigue
  • Acute Shortness of Breath
  • Wheezing
  • Pain in the Shoulder or Chest

If you think you've been been exposed to asbestos over a period of time, and you experience any one of these symptoms, you must see your doctor and seek medical advice.

Asbestos Removal Companies Tunbridge Wells (01892)

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH ASBESTOS

Structures and properties that were built from 1945 to 1985 are much more likely to have asbestos in their construction than those that were built after this; asbestos was finally banned for construction purposes in Great Britain in 1999. Lots of older homes and properties may therefore contain asbestos in some aspect of the structure. Asbestos was used as an insulating material in roofs, walls and pipes, and was also a fantastic fire proofing product.

Finding asbestos in your home in Tunbridge Wells doesn't necessarily constitute an immediate danger. If you find your home has asbestos cladding or other structural asbestos materials it will only be dangerous when disturbed or damaged. There are a few situations where it might be better to leave the asbestos in place, making certain it is not damaged or disturbed. You'll want to get help from a certified asbestos removal contractor if you are unclear about the safety of any asbestos materials in your property in Tunbridge Wells.

Not all asbestos products are considered high risk and call for certified removal specialists to tackle them. For instance, asbestos insulation boards, pipe lagging and loose fill insulation are deemed higher risk than asbestos cement sheets and roofing panels. A registered asbestos removal firm in Tunbridge Wells is able to provide you with a secure method of removal of all varieties of asbestos that could be found in your property.

Asbestos Removal Quotes in Tunbridge Wells Kent (TN1)

If there is the need for licensed asbestos removal work to be performed then the local authority or the HSE must be notified, depending on the kind of premises and its usage. To limit and prevent any potential exposure to asbestos fibres and dust, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is the legal document that has to be followed by your authorised asbestos removal firm.

If you do not hold a recognised Health & Safety Executive asbestos license you are likely to be prosecuted if you carry out any asbestos removal which needs a licensed individual to perform the process.

Asbestos Removal Near Tunbridge Wells (01892)

DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS

Asbestos of any type, once removed from your Tunbridge Wells property, is classed as hazardous waste. There are stringent measures necessary to dispose of any kind of hazardous waste, in particular that which contains asbestos. A certified asbestos removal contractor in Tunbridge Wells will abide by all of the regulations and guidelines issued by the HSE and local authority.

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Act 2009 (CDG 2009) covers the disposal of asbestos material if it is damaged or is in the form of loose fibres. A waste carrier's licence is required in this instance to guarantee its safe disposal in a government approved disposal site. Your Tunbridge Wells asbestos removal contractor will hold liability for making certain this is accomplished properly, and has to keep all documentation concerning the work and disposal for at least three years.

THE PHASES OF WORK

Before any actual work starts on removing any suspicious items from your Tunbridge Wells home you'll need to make sure that it is in fact asbestos. Professional testing can substantiate the absence or presence of asbestos products and the licensing which is necessary for removing and disposing of it. If you decide not to complete a professional asbestos survey on an older home, you need to assume there is asbestos present and take all the necessary precautions.

A certified asbestos surveyor will undertake all sample-taking, analysis and inspections must be independent of your appointed asbestos removal contractor.

Asbestos Disposal Tunbridge Wells Kent

If the survey unearths asbestos materials that require a licensed firm for removal, the HSE must be informed at least 14 days prior to the starting of work. A professional asbestos removal contractor will provide all the appropriate documents that should include: 1. A strategy for the asbestos sampling, as well as the techniques for clearing up the work site after completion by observing the 4 stage clearance process. 2. All work licenses, hazardous waste disposal testing & training, risk assessments and medical certificates for the work in question. 3. A work statement expressing the legal regulations that must be observed. 4. If needed, due to the nature of asbestos removal work, there will be a thorough check of the 4 stages of clearances and a Certificate of Reoccupation will be granted.

Adequate PPE will be provided for all persons accessing the site, by the asbestos removal company, and they'll also ensure the right disposal procedures for any asbestos materials.

AFFILIATIONS, QUALIFICATIONS and PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Before you settle on an asbestos removal business in Tunbridge Wells, check their membership of and affiliation with recognised bodies within the asbestos field.

ARCA - The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) is the UK's premier association which represents businesses working within the sector. They commit themselves to the promotion of safe working practices by providing training, guidance and support on all matters concerning the asbestos removal industry.

UKATA - The not for profit agency, UKATA (the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Agency), dedicates itself to raising industry standards by providing the finest quality training for anybody working with or testing asbestos. From the individual homeowner to the largest companies, UKATA (the UK Asbestos Training Agency) has a training course with recognised qualifications for everybody; these qualifications can be checked by means of their online portal for validity.

ATaC - Asbestos analysts, surveyors and testing facilities will usually be members of the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association (ATaC). ATaC is an approved UKAS partner and provides recognition to its members in this specialised industry.

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Asbestos Surveys

Asbestos Surveys Tunbridge Wells (01892)

Some sort of asbestos is frequently found in properties built in Tunbridge Wells between the years 1850 and 1999. A widely used building material for over 100 years, it was particularly popular thanks to its chemical and heat resistant qualities. After being identified in the 1970s and 1980s as a major cause of a number of health problems, such as mesothelioma, pericardial effusion, asbestosis, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer and ovarian cancer, it was subsequently stripped out of many buildings.

Both brown and blue asbestos was banned in the British Isles in 1985, and asbestos was banned altogether in 1999. Asbestos surveys are needed in many situations, as many structures that were built prior to 1999 still contain asbestos.

There are essentially 2 different kinds of asbestos survey that can be carried out on buildings in Tunbridge Wells.

  • Asbestos Management Surveys (formerly Type 2)
  • Asbestos Refurbishment/Demolition Surveys (formerly Type 3)

Asbestos Management Surveys Tunbridge Wells: An Asbestos Management Survey is undertaken in buildings that are occupied in Tunbridge Wells, to establish the asbestos containing materials (ACMs) that exist, and to make sure they are not disturbed or damaged during normal everyday activities or routine maintenance. There is very little danger to occupants when asbestos containing materials remain in sound condition and undisturbed. But, risks may exist if they are damaged, disturbed or in substandard condition, and minute asbestos fibres are discharged into the air. The necessity for these Asbestos Management Surveys applies to any non-residential buildings, or shared sections of domestic buildings in Tunbridge Wells which were constructed previous to the year 2000.

Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys Tunbridge Wells: The requirement for an Asbestos Refurbishment/Demolition Survey (ARD) arises (as the name suggests) when a building or structure in Tunbridge Wells is due to be demolished or refurbished. Generally speaking ARD surveys are undertaken on Tunbridge Wells buildings that are vacant or unoccupied, because a significant amount of damage can result from one of these surveys. Where demolition, refurbishment or upgrading is planned an Asbestos Refurbishment/Demolition Survey must be done before any of this work begins. The presence of any ACMs will be confirmed during this survey, and methods to safely manage or remove these materials can be put in place. Commissioning such surveys is the responsibility of professionals, occupants and management agents engaged in these restorations, regardless of their size.

Artex Removal Tunbridge Wells

During the 1970s and 1980s it was quite common for DIY fanatics and tradesmen in Tunbridge Wells, to apply a coating of Artex to their walls and ceilings. Artex was very effective for covering up cracks, imperfections and defects in these surfaces, due to its pliable, textured finish. For ceilings, Artex often replaced the sixties fad of polystyrene tiles which became well known as a serious fire risk.

Artex Removal Tunbridge Wells Kent

The paradoxical thing about this is that Artex contains asbestos, so one dangerous material was just being exchanged for another. Naturally, at that time, the true dangers of asbestos weren't fully recognised and it wasn't until later that the risk to health was understood by the general public. Providing that this material is not disturbed, it's largely harmless, and that's fortunate, since there are still many homes in Tunbridge Wells which have areas of Artex.

If you have Artex on the walls or ceilings of your house in Tunbridge Wells, you must not attempt to get it off yourself. Even though the removal of textured coatings is still classified as a non-licenced undertaking, the proper training is still crucial. Any specialist asbestos removal service in Tunbridge Wells will be glad to test whether asbestos is in fact contained in your textured coatings, and provide you with a quotation for safely removing the Artex.

Types of Asbestos

Types of Asbestos Mineral

A naturally occurring fibrous material that can be found on every one of the world's continents, asbestos was regularly used in manufacturing and construction from the late 19th century to the 1990s. In all there are 6 different kinds of asbestos, all of which are unique minerals part of the amphibole and serpentine families, namely - chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, actinolite, anthophyllite and tremolite.

It is somewhat beyond the scope of this short article to consider all but the three primary types - amosite, crocidolite and chrysotile.

Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos) - Part of the Amphibole family of silicate minerals, crocidolite (also referred to as blue asbestos), is considered to be the most dangerous of all the asbestos minerals. It's frequently found in cement products, pipe insulation, spray-on coatings and plastics, and was used in the insulation of steam engines.

Amosite (Brown Asbestos or Grunerite) - Also referred to as brown asbestos, amosite asbestos or grunerite is regularly found in vinyl tiles, fire protection, pipe insulation, roofing materials, insulating board and cement sheets. The 2nd most harmful form of asbestos was mainly mined in South Africa and is part of the Amphibole family.

Chrysotile (White Asbestos) - Also called white asbestos, chrysotile asbestos was the most commonly used form of this dangerous material. It was used in the manufacture of gaskets, duct & pipe insulation, brake linings and boiler seals, and in the roofs, floors, insulation, ceilings and walls of many Tunbridge Wells homes and buildings.

Interesting Facts: An interesting but shocking fact is that blue asbestos was even used to make filter cigarettes, so smokers were unknowingly breathing this toxic stuff directly into their lungs during the 1950s. The thing that makes it even more improbable is that it was marketed as a health benefit at that time! Indeed, the manufacturers of Kent Micronite cigarettes, namely Lorillard Tobacco, must get the "gaffe of the century" award for convincing their customers to stick the most dangerous type of asbestos fibres (crocidolite) into their mouths. Over six decades later multi-million dollar lawsuits are still being brought by the unfortunate victims of this scandal. Among the different health problems experienced by claimants, many suffered from an aggressive and rare type of cancer known as mesothelioma.

Asbestos Encapsulation

In specific situations when asbestos is found in a building in Tunbridge Wells it may not be necessary to take it out, but instead encapsulate the ACM's (asbestos containing materials). With asbestos encapsulation, the ACM's are encased in a protective wrapping which could involve a fabric or cloth wrap, a sprayed or painted coating or a rigid sheet, to both stop the asbestos fibres from being released and protect the ACM from any chance of being damaged. So as to check whether to remove the ACM or undertake encapsulation, a comprehensive risk assessment will be needed. (Tags: Asbestos Surveys Tunbridge Wells, Asbestos Encapsulation Tunbridge Wells, Asbestos Risk Assessment Tunbridge Wells)

Asbestos Awareness Courses Tunbridge Wells

Asbestos Awareness Tunbridge Wells (TN1)

Asbestos awareness courses are held all across the United Kingdom and are intended to prepare anyone who might come into contact, with advice on the best ways to avoid disturbing asbestos in their normal work. This particular kind of course won't prepare anyone, individuals or professionals, on ways of working with materials that could possibly contain asbestos. However, staff and supervisors must be able to recognise materials that could contain asbestos and understand what should be done if they run into them, so as to protect themselves and others who may come into contact with them.

A course on asbestos awareness covers subjects that people need to know about this hazardous material, including:

  • Areas where you are most likely to run into asbestos materials
  • The way the human body reacts to asbestos exposure
  • What to do in the eventuality of asbestos being disturbed or dust being circulated into the workplace
  • Ways to avoid the risks of exposure to asbestos

If you're looking for an asbestos awareness certificate in Tunbridge Wells immediately, there are a number of Health & Safety Executive approved companies who provide online learning with results processed within twenty four hours.

Asbestos Removal Companies Tunbridge Wells

Asbestos removal companies are contractors with specialist expertise and equipment to handle the safe removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Employing licensed and trained professionals who possess the requisite protective equipment, know-how and experience, these companies are capable of managing the risks associated with asbestos removal.

Asbestos removal companies are required to adhere to strict regulations and protocols set by regulatory bodies like the HSE to ensure the safe and correct removal of asbestos. Specialized equipment and techniques are used to safely remove and dispose of asbestos materials, which reduces the risk of exposure to harmful asbestos fibres. Asbestos removal companies play an essential role in safeguarding the environment and public health by effectively managing the hazards associated with asbestos.

Asbestos Air Monitoring Tunbridge Wells

For environments potentially contaminated with asbestos fibres, asbestos air monitoring stands as a vital process to assess and maintain safe air quality. Routine air monitoring by qualified professionals enables the detection and quantification of airborne asbestos particles. Compliance with safety specifications is assured through examining the effectiveness of asbestos abatement processes. Safeguarding workers and occupants from exposure risks is achieved through continuous monitoring during renovation or asbestos removal projects in Tunbridge Wells. Involving specialist equipment, asbestos air monitoring collects air samples for analysis in accredited laboratories. Accurate and prompt monitoring is of utmost importance in protecting public health and preventing asbestos-related illnesses. (60912 - Asbestos Air Monitoring Tunbridge Wells)

Asbestos Removal Near Tunbridge Wells

Also find: Groombridge asbestos removal, Frant asbestos removal, Tudeley asbestos removal, Bells Yew Green asbestos removal, Fordcombe asbestos removal, Mark Cross asbestos removal, Rusthall asbestos removal, Matfield asbestos removal, Speldhurst asbestos removal, Ashurst asbestos removal, Royal Tunbridge Wells asbestos removal, Bidborough asbestos removal, Penshurst asbestos removal, Brenchley asbestos removal and more. Practically all of these areas are catered for by companies who do asbestos removal. Home and property owners in these localities can obtain estimates for asbestos removal by going here.

Asbestos Removal Tasks Tunbridge Wells Asbestos removal companies will be able to help with asbestos demolition strip-outs, asbestos management, unsafe asbestos removal Tunbridge Wells, soft stripping Tunbridge Wells, the identification of asbestos containing materials (ACMs), Artex asbestos removal Tunbridge Wells, ethical asbestos disposal in Tunbridge Wells, garage asbestos removal Tunbridge Wells, fly tipping clearance, asbestos removal estimates, artex asbestos survey, pre-demolition asbestos survey, residential asbestos removal Tunbridge Wells, asbestos air monitoring in Tunbridge Wells, licensed asbestos removal Tunbridge Wells, asbestos removal services, asbestos floor tile removal, asbestos tile removal Tunbridge Wells, asbestos testing, lead paint testing in Tunbridge Wells, asbestos van collection, the removal of asbestos popcorn ceilings, asbestos cement water tank removal Tunbridge Wells, asbestos identification, asbestos removal Tunbridge Wells, asbestos ceiling removal Tunbridge Wells, asbestos abatement, asbestos encasement, asbestos encapsulation, ground remediation, office clearance, asbestos consulting, asbestos insulation removal, landlord asbestos survey, and other hazardous waste related work. These are just a few of the tasks that are handled by those specialising in asbestos removal. Tunbridge Wells companies will be happy to tell you about their full range of asbestos services.

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(This asbestos removal Tunbridge Wells article was revised and updated on 11-02-2024)