ARTEX TEXTURED COATED WALLS & CEILINGS THAT MAY CONTAIN ASESTOS

Asbestos Information Sheet No 1 June 2010

If you are reading this leaflet then it is possible that you have some Asbestos in your home, or we have confirmed that you have and we need to remove it

DO NOT WORRY- Many homes in the UK have Asbestos in them, and unless it is damaged it is perfectly safe. Removing it is also perfectly safe.

This leaflet will tell you what Asbestos is, how we will remove it, and how we will keep you and your family safe while we are doing it.

If you have any questions, please ask us. We are doing this work for you.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural rock. When crushed it turns into small fibres that look like needles of glass under the microscope. It was used for many purposes until recently, and is a very good insulation of heat and electricity, and can be turned into useful roofing tiles, flooring tiles, and added to plaster in textured ceilings such as Artex. However, we now know Asbestos is dangerous and the needle like fibres when inhaled can cause terrible illness. In the UK Asbestos is no longer used, but many millions of buildings still have Asbestos in them.

There are 3 main types of Asbestos, White, Brown and Blue. White is the lowest risk of the main 3 types, Brown and Blue are a much higher risk material. The type of Asbestos most commonly found in UK homes is luckily the White type.

How can it hurt me?

Asbestos is only dangerous if the fibres are breathed in and get into your lungs over a prolonged period of time , this is called accumulative exposure . The types and levels of Asbestos found in the home are almost always low risk, and as they are bonded with other material such as floor tiles or ceiling texture they cannot become airborne. If the tile is broken or the ceiling damaged there is a small risk, so that is why we have to remove it.

For more information on Asbestos, visit the Health & Safety Executive website.

www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos

Please do not worry, we do this type of work all the time and are determined to look after you.

So what happens when the Asbestos removal contractor arrives?

The Asbestos removal contractor will want to set up a mobile hygiene unit as close as possible to your property, the hygiene unit is very similar to a small mobile caravan fitted with shower units and changing facility.



The hygiene unit is for the operatives to wash themselves at the end of the job. Although many units are self contained, it would help if they could have access to a cold water tap and a 240v mains electric supply. You can help by providing a parking area and access to a tap & electricity.

Do I have to move any furniture, fixtures or fittings?

It depends on whether or not any of the items have been directly affected by the asbestos-containing textured coating, if they have, they will need to be cleaned by the removal contractor and should not be moved. Items that have not should be removed before the removal contractors arrive on site. This includes items such as wardrobes, cupboards, sofas, electrical items, tables, chairs etc. If you have difficulties moving things, then please discuss this in advance with your personal claims advisor. If any items of furniture cannot be removed prior to the asbestos removal works then every precaution will be taken to protect it and its contents.

What about me, my family & pets?

As there will be a number of people working in the property, and therefore going in and out to the company vehicle for equipment, we advise that wherever possible people are not present in or near the working area. We only require one person to be present during the works; please keep all children and pets away from the work area.

What about my decorations & wall coverings?

During the works we may construct an enclosure; this is like a tent inside the room which we will work inside of to keep the asbestos safe. The enclosure will be attached to the walls and ceilings by glue or adhesive tape. Whilst every effort is made to remove the adhesive residues, it is possible that some will remain which may cause a small amount of damage to any existing wallpaper or paint – your personal advisor will advise you on how the repairs will be carried out.

When you remove the asbestos, will I be safe from exposure?



Yes, the enclosure will protect you totally.

To keep our team safe, even though the risk is low, they will wear coveralls and respiratory protective equipment, as an added precautionary measure, the removal contractors will create an enclosure formed with heavy duty polythene that prevents penetration of asbestos fibres.

We will then safely take the asbestos waste materials away and correctly dispose of them, making sure they stay safe for ever.