Asbestos

[Stanleymonkey]

Went into garage today. Builders next door have dropped something and punched a hole through asbestos roof.

Haven't been in there for a while - so haven't noticed.

Trouble is - I have a rowing machine and some weights in there. I want to get back doing them. Worried about exercising if there might be dust around (haven't found the piece yet - about 8cm long)

What should I do?

Hoover with an old hoover, wash everything down and bag the piece. Will that be okay - throw the rages, maks and gloves afterwards or not worry too much?

Any advice please

 

[NazNomad]

Get the builders to pay for 'proper' cleanup of disturbed asbestos. They SHOULD have public liability insurance.

I certainly wouldn't be going anywhere near it.

 

[Rorschach]

Yep, get the builders to make good the damage!

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

My understanding of Asbestiosis is that the sufferer needed constant and sustained exposure to fine dust particles. The risk to you given the trauma to your old roof is extremely unlikely to cause any harm. Having said that, why take any risk at all? Their liability insurance should certainly be brought to bear in this case.

 

[Harbo]

It is probably an asbestos cement board where any fibres are retained by the cement - it is much less dangerous than asbestos itself but should still be treated with care - see guidance below

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a14.pdf

Rod

 

[thetyreman]

.

 

[graduate_owner]

Asbestos cement sheet is certainly less dangerous than asbestos insulation but I wold still be very careful if you are tempted to do this work yourself (assuming you can't get the bulders to sort it out). Personal protection is essential.

K

 

[NazNomad]

It is probably an asbestos cement board

Equally likely, it might not be. :roll:

 

[Stanleymonkey]

Thanks for the replies and posts.

Had a chat with a company yesterday. For around £200 they will come and survey the garage and take swabs. Hopefully this will confirm low risk based on the details I gave them. Might skip a couple of old toys anyway and I need a long hard think about the rowing machine!

Told me some interesting things. There are high spec vacuum cleaners that you can hire. They have good enough filters to remove the particles and then the waste and filters are disposed of properly.

I wanted to use and old hoover - then dump it. No good according to HSE site as filters are no good. Idea binned, but apparently a lot of people use their home hoover for clean up and then take it back inside and carry on the weekly hoover! They have been called out to lots of houses contaminated in that way. Quite a regular occurrence - I find that terrifying :shock:

 

[NazNomad]

Quite a regular occurrence - I find that terrifying :shock:

Those people are high up on Darwin's 'to do' list, I would think.
As they say, you can make something foolproof but you can never make it damn-fool proof.

 

[themackay]

As far as I am concerned Asbestos sheets as used in roofing are not very hazardous and the amount of dust caused by this incident would be minimal and could be swept up hoovered with minamal risk wear a mask as a precaution no need for specialists to deal with it they just see £ signs at the mention of asbestos having said that the builders should be responsible but no need to pay for specialists

 

[Selwyn]

I think your overreacting too.

I've stripped loads of asbestos sheets in my time and know more who have worked with it. Its almost impossible for you to have an issue with it after one event

 

[ColeyS1]

This is comforting to hear. I saved some asbestos looking large guttering and just need to cut off one end. I planned on cutting it outside and wearing a mask. Seems that probably won't be enough to kill me !

Coley

 

[graduate_owner]

If it turns out that the builders aren't helpful then you will need to dispose of the damaged sheets somehow. Many local authorities have asbestos disposal arrangements and will accept small quantities if double bagged.
It is no longer legal to bury it in your garden etc, and if you did that (and if someone reported you) then your property would be classed as being a site contaminated with hazardous waste, which would show up on searches if ever you were to sell - so I read somewhere anyway. Great!!

K

 

[NazNomad]

Seems that probably won't be enough to kill me !

Not immediately, no. :?

 

[Rorschach]

All very well talking about dealing with it, but surely anything is up to the builders who damaged it?

 

[themackay]

I woulld think so