Asbestos Work in Great Britain
In the 1950s through the mid 1980s, asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain. This material, viewed with the aid of an asbestos microscope, was used for various purposes and was ideal as fireproofing and insulation materials. In Great Britain, any type of building built before 2000 may contain asbestos. Thus, evidencing its wide spread in the country. In good condition, asbestos materials are safe. However, when asbestos materials are damaged, they become airborne and are causes for concern.
Since asbestos fibers, which can only be visible under an asbestos microscope, are present almost everywhere in Great Britain, everyone then is constantly exposed to the fibers albeit at very low levels. However, inhaling such microscopic fibers in large doses increases the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. As such, workers in asbestos utilizing industries are in great danger of acquiring the disease since they may inhale such fibers on high levels.
It is alarming to note that asbestos related diseases have cause 4000 deaths in Great Britain. The main asbestos caused diseases are the lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Lung cancer is a condition whereby tissues in the lungs grow out of control. Asbestosis is a disease whereby the parenchymal tissues of the lungs are chronically inflamed. Mesothelioma, on the other hand, is a disease whereby malignant cells grow in the mesothelium of the lungs. However, such diseases are not diagnosed immediately but will materialize later on in life. Furthermore, asbestos is known to be the greatest single cause of work related deaths in the country.
Some jobs that work with asbestos include: heating and ventilation engineers; carpenters and joiners; roofing contractors; plasterers; fire and burglar alarm installers; gas fitters; general maintenance staff; cable layers; electricians; demolition workers; plumbers; painters and decorators; construction workers; shop fitters; computer installers; telecommunications engineers; and building surveyors. However, asbestos exposure is not limited to the jobs stated.
Under an asbestos microscope, these fibers may be straight or curled and exposure to such may happen when: working on an unfamiliar site; the building the employee is working on was built before the year 2000; asbestos containing materials were not identified prior to the start of the job; information on asbestos containing materials was not passed on by the people in charge; there is a lack of knowledge on asbestos identification and work safety measures; and there is the willful neglect of following safety guidelines on working with such material.
The Health and Safety Executive also drew guidelines in working in order to be protected from the hazards that asbestos inhalation may cause. This includes: stopping and questioning if suspicions of asbestos presence arise; following work plan and guidelines set for safety; taking into account the other risks that may arise; using of protective equipment; cleaning up after work; ensuring that wastes to be disposed double-bagged; and washing up before taking breaks or going home. Also, the Health and Safety Executive warns workers from a number of practices that may put them in harm’s way. This includes: using methods that create a lot of dust; sweeping dust and debris; taking home asbestos work overalls; reusing of disposable clothing or masks; smoking; and eating or drinking in the work area.
