Asbestos Safety

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral found in rocks all over the world. It was used a lot in houses and buildings from the 1930s to the mid-1980s because it was cheap, strong, and could resist heat. Many buildings made or fixed up during this time might have asbestos. But in 1999, the United Kingdom stopped using asbestos in construction.

: Asbestos can be found in lots of places around the home. Some of these might be:
Cold water tanks
Lagging
Insulation
Textured (artex) wall and ceiling finishes
Soffit boards
WC cisterns
Wall cladding sheets
Wall boards/internal partitions
Central heating boilers
Floor tiles and vinyl
Rainwater pipes and gutters
: Asbestos is not dangerous if it stays in good condition and is not disturbed. But if it gets damaged, it can release harmful fibers into the air. Breathing in these fibers can hurt your lungs and cause diseases like asbestosis or lung cancer, especially after many years of exposure.

: LiveWest’s policy is to leave asbestos materials alone if they are in good condition. LiveWest’s asbestos surveyors check for asbestos before starting any improvement or repair work. If they find asbestos, they take steps to reduce exposure and use licensed contractors to remove it safely if needed. Once asbestos is found, LiveWest inspectors check its condition every 1 to 5 years, depending on where it is and what type it is. Remember, asbestos that is not disturbed is not a health risk.
: There are some things that we recommend you as tenants should do to protect yourselves from asbestos. These include:
Get written approval before carrying out any alterations, improvements or additions to the property.
Contact your Housing Officer and request a ‘Tenant Improvement Form’ if you are planning home improvements.
Avoid DIY activities in areas where asbestos may be present.
Do not drill, saw, scrub, or sand anything that could contain asbestos.