The RCT Source

Only if the asbestos containing material is disturbed or damaged in such a way that fibres are released into the air (which form a very fine dust that is often invisible to the naked eye).  This can occur when such work as cutting or drilling into the asbestos containing material is carried out.

Such work could very well be carried out by workers such as:

• carpenters/joiners;
• electricians;
• plumbers;
• computer installers, particularly cabling installers;
• fire alarm installers;
• telecommunication engineers;
• window blind fitters.

A survey will need to be undertaken to determine if asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are present in the building and, if so:

• the location of the ACMs;
• the type of asbestos, i.e. blue, brown or white;
• the form of the asbestos, e.g. lagging, ceiling tiles, insulation boards etc.;
• the condition of the ACMs;
• the likelihood of asbestos fibres being released into the air.

Surveys are arranged by Corporate Estates and once completed there should be an ‘asbestos register’ for the management of any ACMs in the building.

Any queries regarding surveys or the asbestos register for a building should be directed to Corporate Estates.

Contact Corporate Estates for information, instruction and training with regards to the asbestos register.

Contact Corporate Estates for guidance.

Contact Corporate Estates for information, instruction and training with regards to managing the situation.

This will depend on the condition of the asbestos containing materials (ACMs), as determined by an asbestos survey.

If the ACMs are in good condition and not likely to be damaged or worked on, then it is safest to leave them in place and introduce a management system (minimum annual inspection).

If the ACMs appear to be in a poor condition, then a risk assessment must be carried out by a specialist to determine if they should be repaired, sealed, enclosed or removed.

The most likely places in buildings where asbestos can be found and in what form are:

• sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing used in fire breaks in ceiling voids;
• moulded or pre-formed sprayed coatings and lagging as insulation on pipes and boilers;
• sprayed asbestos mixed with hydrated asbestos cement as fire protection in ducts, fire breaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structural steelwork;
• insulating boards as fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning and ducts; 
• some ceiling tiles;
• millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical equipment;
• asbestos paper as a fireproofing layer on wood fibre board;
• asbestos cement products, e.g. corrugated roofing sheets;
• textured coatings – e.g. artex ceilings;
• some floor tiles and coverings.

Yes - In the document 'Asbestos management in schools' (refer to Additional Resources) and on the Health and Safety Executive website - 'Asbestos in schools' (refer to Useful Links).

The main health effects associated with asbestos are:

• asbestosis: fibrosis or scarring of lung tissue making breathing more difficult; irreversible and progressive even after exposure has ceased; associated with high levels of exposure;
• mesothelioma: cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal wall, or lining around the heart;
• lung cancer: increased incidence of lung cancer; risk very much greater for smokers; all three types of asbestos, i.e. blue, brown and white, may cause lung cancer;
• other cancers: research suggests exposure may cause cancer of the larynx, digestive tract and kidneys;
• pleural plaques: bands of scar tissue on lungs; increased risk of developing lung cancer;
• pleural effusion: accumulation of fluid around the lungs;
• skin complaints: fibres can penetrate the skin and cause ‘asbestos warts’.

There are three main types of asbestos, i.e.:

• blue (crocidolite);
• brown (amosite);
• white (chrysotile).