For many workers, suffering from asbestos poisoning seems highly unlikely, this is probably because the disease takes between 20-45 years to make itself known. For the first 20 years or so the disease gradually develops in the lung and their surrounding organs.
Asbestos as a solid material doesn’t put workers at risk, it is when the material becomes damaged. This allows it to release fibres into the air, these fibres are invisible to the human eye and if breathed in can be extremely harmful. Working near damaged asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, which may happen hundreds of times in your working life, could increase your chances of getting an asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos can be found in:
- Loose asbestos in ceiling or floor cavity
- Lagging
- Asbestos insulating boards
- Sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls and beams/columns
- Floor tiles, textiles and composites
- Textured coatings
- Asbestos cement products
You are mostly at risk from asbestos poisoning if you are working on an unfamiliar site or if the building you are working on was built before the year 2000. Building checks should be carried out before you start work on a new site, so you could be at risk if asbestos-containing materials were not identified before the job was started, or if asbestos-containing materials were identified but this information was not passed on by those in charge of the paperwork.
You can’t see or smell asbestos, and the fibres take many years to show up so it is essential you know how to recognise and work safely with asbestos. There are a number of precautions and procedures that you can follow to ensure your safety.
Those with occupations that may put them at risk of asbestos poisoning:
| Electricians | Cable layers |
| Building surveyors | Painters and decorators |
| Telecommunications engineers | General maintenance staff |
| Computer installers | Heating and ventilation engineers |
| Demolition workers | Carpenters and joiners |
| Plumbers | Roofing contractors |
Asbestos poisoning can have serious effects on the lives of those who develop the disease. If you do suffer from asbestos poisoning you may be able to make an injury compensation claim.
Call us 0800 634 7575 to get your claim started today. If you prefer, why not arrange a call back from one of our team, for FREE instant advice on whether you have a claim to make! Just fill out the quick form below and we’ll call you back at a time which suits you.