Asbestos Audit - October 2023
Asbestos Audit Ltd
Asbestos Surveys | Testing | Asbestos In Soils | Asbestos Removal | Environmental Consultants | Training | UKAS-17020
Welcome to the October 2023 edition of our e-newsletter. This month’s edition is packed full of insights from the Asbestos Management and Remediation?section of the Environmental Services Industry.
Read on to learn more.
HUNDREDS OF BRITISH ARMY TANKS POTENTIALLY RIDDLED WITH DEADLY ASBESTOS!
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has disclosed that more than 2,000 pieces of British military equipment may contain potentially lethal asbestos materials. This revelation has raised concerns about the safety of military personnel and equipment. Among the affected equipment are Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, and Bulldog armored personnel carriers. Exposure to asbestos is associated with severe health risks, including mesothelioma and lung scarring, which can manifest years after exposure.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a total of 2,699 types of army equipment contain asbestos-containing materials. James Cartlidge, the defense procurement minister, confirmed this information in a letter to the Labour Party. Asbestos-containing materials were commonly used in the construction of military equipment in the 20th century. However, these materials break down into tiny fibers when disturbed, potentially causing incurable lung damage.
The affected equipment list includes a wide range of military vehicles and aircraft, with substantial numbers of Bulldog armored personnel carriers, Challenger 2 tanks, and other vehicles among them. The presence of asbestos-containing materials in military equipment is a significant concern, considering the potential health risks to service personnel.
The Ministry of Defence has assured the public that safety is its highest priority, and plans are in place to eliminate asbestos from military equipment as soon as possible. Risk assessments are being conducted to ensure the safety of service personnel. The Ministry of Defence spokesperson also noted that the equipment referenced in the worst-case scenario may already be out of service, asbestos-free, or have had asbestos-containing materials removed. Furthermore, equipment containing asbestos above statutory limits can only be operated by specialists. The situation highlights the importance of addressing this issue promptly to protect the health and safety of military personnel.
GOVERNMENT REJECTS PETITION CALLING FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL!
The UK government has rejected a petition signed by over 10,000 people calling for the removal of asbestos over the next 40 years and the creation of an asbestos register. Asbestos is a carcinogenic material responsible for numerous work-related deaths in the UK.
The petition emphasized the high-risk settings of schools and hospitals. In response, the government stated that clear evidence was required to demonstrate that these recommendations would improve health outcomes. Despite more than 5,000 annual asbestos-related deaths in the UK, the government believes its current plan aligns with the best available evidence and will continue to manage asbestos risk through existing regulations.
However, campaigners argue that proactive removal and a national asbestos register are necessary to address the ongoing health risks. A parliamentary committee also called for the removal of asbestos from public and commercial buildings within 40 years, citing the material's persistent danger and the likelihood of disturbance during retrofitting for net-zero emissions goals.
WHAT IS RAAC AND WHY COULD IT PRESENT A POTENTIAL ASBESTOS RISK?
A growing number of schools in England are facing a critical situation involving reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which has raised concerns about potential asbestos exposure.
Currently, more than 150 schools constructed with RAAC have surpassed their recommended 30-year lifespan and are now classified as hazardous. This has forced many institutions to temporarily close their doors due to safety apprehensions. Of particular concern is the fact that the period during which RAAC was extensively used (from the 1950s to the 1990s) coincides with widespread asbestos utilization in construction, prior to its eventual prohibition due to severe health hazards.
This overlapping timeline suggests a potential risk of asbestos exposure during the process of remediating the concrete. Such exposure could lead to prolonged remediation efforts, resulting in extended school closures lasting several months.
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THE HIDDEN DANGER
Despite the ban on asbestos use over two decades ago, it still remains present in an estimated 300,000 non-domestic buildings across the UK. Interestingly, not all buildings affected by RAAC deterioration are suspected to contain asbestos.
Nonetheless, data from the Department for Education in 2019 reveals that approximately 81% of schools in England are known to have asbestos. This alarming statistic has prompted various campaigns and unions to issue repeated warnings over the years. In 2019 alone, there were more than 5,000 asbestos-related incidents, highlighting the severity of the issue.
The primary concern is that the process of evaluating and replacing deteriorating concrete panels may potentially disturb asbestos materials. Such disturbance poses a significant risk, as asbestos, when undisturbed, is relatively benign. However, when agitated, it releases tiny fibers that, if inhaled or ingested, can lead to deadly diseases such as mesothelioma.
REGULATIONS IN PLACE, BUT OVERSIGHT LAPSES
Despite the existence of stringent management regulations designed to keep buildings afflicted by asbestos closed until safe removal, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has pointed out that some schools have failed to maintain up-to-date asbestos registers.
In April 2022, a parliamentary select committee report on work and pensions called on the government to establish a 40-year deadline for asbestos removal from non-residential structures, with a focus on high-risk areas like schools. However, this proposal was rejected by the government, citing concerns that it might increase the risk of exposure and potentially lead to inadequate removal practices. Read more about this here
How can Asbestos Audit help?
The?Asbestos Audit?management team can talk you through every step of the survey process ensuring you are compliant with the current Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. We offer practical impartial asbestos and safety advice to clients large and small.
The Asbestos Audit team works in partnership with building owners, duty holders, and site managers for commercial, industrial, and domestic buildings to ensure compliance and safety at all times.
We cover the whole of the UK and further afield where required.
Our asbestos survey costs include all samples, site?inspection?by trained surveyors, full reports to HSG-264, and any associated recommendations and consultancy. All works are fully quoted, and costs are confirmed before we come to the site.
Our teams can assist with any of the following asbestos-related works -
If you would like further information on our range of surveys and consultancy. Please contact your?local office?or click below to get in touch
If you're interested in learning more about Asbestos check out our?blog posts here?or if you're working somewhere where asbestos exposure might be a concern, contact us for emergency response.