Most are perfectly safe and present no danger to health, particularly resin based products such as toilet cisterns and seats.

Even those materials considered most dangerous can still be safe if they are free of damage and contained in an environment where there is little or no likelihood of them being disturbed.

The problem comes when the material is damaged, as this can result in significant asbestos fibre release and create an immediate risk to health.

Typical instances would be for example:

Asbestos door panel in a heavy-use area

Asbestos spray insulation becoming unstable due to water damage

Asbestos ceiling tiles being disturbed for electrical work

Asbestos pipe insulation being disturbed to enable pipe repair

Poor maintenance resulting in asbestos surface deterioration

This list is by no means exhaustive, but these scenarios are common and in most cases, employers and staff are unaware of the dangers.

Damaged asbestos needs to be repaired or removed and only licensed contractors are allowed to work with asbestos or asbestos containing materials.

This is because when removing or repairing asbestos containing materials, the site of contamination needs to be properly isolated to prevent other areas and people becoming exposed to the fibres.

This can only be achieved if the contractor concerned has the correct tools and fully understands the health and safety issues concerned with handling asbestos containing materials.

Removal of asbestos is highly specialised and requires expert knowledge.

It is illegal for anyone other than a licensed contractor to work on or dispose of certain asbestos containing materials.

Not all asbestos containing materials require licensed handling, which is why testing is recommended to identify the type of materials present.

Is an asbestos removal company likely to be impartial?

In a perfect world, we would like to think that we will always be dealt with fairly and impartially.

But this isn't the perfect world and you can often end up paying far more for the removal of asbestos than you need to.

This is because asbestos removal contractors do not have to be impartial. In an industry driven by profit, you can easily imagine what could happen if you receive advice on removal directly from a removal company.

Costs vary between removal contractors and in some cases, it might be appropriate to implement a suitable independent tendering process to select the most suitable contractor, which of course, we will be pleased to advise on, or carry out on your behalf.

Asbestos surveyors, under the stipulations of the legislation have a duty to be impartial and independent.

Obtaining a pre-removal asbestos survey is therefore likely to save you from the expense of unnecessary work.

The relatively small cost of a survey will pay dividends later.

As asbestos surveyors, Property Repair are able to provide full surveying services and can recommend licensed contractors for the timely and safe removal or repair of asbestos from your premises.

Not only that, but by project managing the exercise on your behalf, we can also re-inspect the site following the removal work and ensure that it has been carried out correctly and that no further risk to health exists.

Asbestos fibres kill. You only get one chance to get things right.

To arrange a survey and/or testing of your commercial premises, please contact Richard O'Donnell and you will receive our immediate attention.