The District Council receives a number of complaints and enquiries each year about the safe disposal of asbestos. When materials containing asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases. These diseases will not affect you immediately: they often take a long time to develop, but once diagnosed it is often too late to do anything. This is why it is important to protect yourself. Asbestos can cause the following fatal and serious diseases: Mesothelioma / Asbestos-related lung cancer / Asbestosis and Pleural Thickening.
Asbestos can be found within many domestic and commercial buildings. An employer has a Duty to Manage Asbestos within the workplace. This involves identifying any materials that may contain asbestos and undertaking a risk assessment.
Within the domestic home the property owner or landlord is responsible for managing asbestos.
The Health and Safety Executive website provides further information on asbestos including Where you can find asbestos?
https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm
The removal of asbestos is sometimes Licensable if the risk posed by the activity is more high risk. Only contactors licenced by the Health and Safety Executive can undertake Licensable works. These frequently asked questions may help you further understanding asbestos arrangements generally https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/faq.htm
Some works with asbestos is non-licenced work, this is mainly lower risk activities. Asbestos essentials on the Health and Safety Executive website details safety information for undertaking non-licensed work safety. https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm
Asbestos containing waste cannot be put in your normal waste collection.
If you are concerned about a neighbouring property or building site where you think asbestos is being removed or handled incorrectly please contact us. The Health and Safety Executive website has further details on arrangements for asbestos.
