Asbestos Removal Kirkcaldy Scotland (KY1): Asbestos is classified as a compound that is hazardous to health and is responsible for about five thousand deaths per year, (HSE figures). You must get in touch with an expert in the asbestos sector before any work commences, if you discover asbestos in your home or premises in Kirkcaldy. If you are working on an old building and discovered a substance that you believe might be asbestos, you need to stop work without delay and seek advice from an experienced asbestos professional. They'll have the ability to verify if the material actually is asbestos, and come up with the safest method for its removal and disposal.
It could be found during the survey that you don't have to hire a HSE certified company for the asbestos removal and disposal. But, with the long term health and safety risks to people and the environment, it is always a better option to call in professional help from the asbestos removal sector. Always use a specialist Kirkcaldy asbestos removal contractor who adheres to the necessary Health & Safety Executive recommendations and that has had the correct training in the industry.
THE HEALTH DANGERS OF ASBESTOS
Asbestos when it is left undisturbed isn't harmful to health. Only when it's scraped or cut can small asbestos fibres or particles be discharged into the atmosphere. When these fibres find their way into lungs through breathing, they are known to cause a disease commonly called, asbestosis. These particles are also a contributing factor to the onset of lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis has no known cure, and the damage to the lungs caused by asbestos fibres is irreversible.
Symptoms for asbestosis could include:
- Chronic Cough
- Extreme Fatigue
- Acute Shortness of Breath
- Wheezing
- Pain in the Shoulders or Chest
If you've been exposed to asbestos over time, and you experience any one of these symptoms, you must see your GP and seek expert medical advice.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH ASBESTOS
Asbestos was widely used in UK construction and building from 1945 - 1985, but was only banned from being used in 1999. Those of you who own properties built over this time period must be cautious when renovating or doing any structural work due to the increased chances of stumbling on asbestos. Asbestos was used in products like pipe lagging, ceiling tiles and boiler insulation and was also used in spray form as a perfect fire-proofing and insulation material.
Discovering asbestos in your property in Kirkcaldy does not necessarily add up to an immediate hazard. It is only when asbestos materials are disturbed that they can become a health risk. The fact is, in some structures it is far better to leave the asbestos in situ and employ precautions to make sure it's not damaged. If in doubt about the condition of the asbestos or its potential for health issues, seek advice from a professional asbestos surveyor or removal company in Kirkcaldy.
There are varying degrees of health risk relating to the asbestos materials that might be discovered in older buildings. Asbestos cement sheets and roof panels are low risk products, whilst loose fill insulation, asbestos insulation boards and pipe lagging are all classed as high risk. A certified asbestos removal contractor in Kirkcaldy is able to provide a safe method for removing all forms of asbestos that might be discovered in your property.
If there is the need for licensed asbestos removal work to be conducted then the contractor must inform the local authority or the Health & Safety Executive, depending on the kind of property and its usage. To limit and prevent any potential exposure to asbestos, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is the legal requirement that must be complied with by your authorised removal firm.
If you don't hold a certified Health & Safety Executive asbestos license you can be prosecuted if you undertake any asbestos removal work which calls for a licensed person to complete the task.
DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS
Asbestos material of any kind, once it has been removed from your Kirkcaldy property or home, is regarded as hazardous waste. Any hazardous waste, in particular that containing asbestos materials, has demanding regulations for the manner in which it can be disposed of safely. By employing an authorised asbestos removal company, you can be assured they are observing all the local authority and the Health & Safety Executive guidelines concerning hazardous waste.
Hazardous asbestos materials, such as damaged asbestos insulation or loose fibre asbestos, can only be transported from a site following guidelines stipulated in the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Act 2009. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Act 2009 says a separate waste carrier's license is essential and the waste must be transferred to a certified hazardous waste disposal site. Your Kirkcaldy asbestos removal specialist will hold responsibility for making certain this is undertaken correctly, and should keep all records pertaining to the work and disposal for no less than 3 years.
THE WORK STAGES
Before you remove any items that may contain asbestos from your Kirkcaldy property or home, it's advisable to authenticate the substances involved. Inspections and surveys by registered and licensed asbestos removal firms or surveyors are the only means by which to correctly verify the asbestos risk in your home or business premises. You could decide not to carry out an asbestos survey on your structure, but if it was constructed between 1945 and 1999, you should anticipate there is actually asbestos present and adhere to all health and safety precautions.
A professional asbestos surveyor will conduct all testing, inspections and sample-taking should be independent of the asbestos removal specialist.
If the survey unearths asbestos materials that require a licensed contractor for removal, the Health & Safety Executive must be informed at least fourteen days prior to the starting of work. The required paperwork will be provided by the asbestos removal company and needs to include: 1. All work licenses, medical certificates, hazardous waste disposal training & testing and risk assessments for the task at hand. 2. A strategy for the asbestos sampling, as well as the techniques for cleaning up the work site after completion by following the 4 stages of clearances. 3. A work report expressing the regulations and guidelines that are going to be followed. 4. After the 4 stages of clearances have been met, the Certificate of Reoccupation from an accredited organisation will be presented.
The asbestos company will also supply all personal protective equipment (PPE) for their employees and make sure that all asbestos waste is properly stored and transferred to the waste disposal site.
AFFILIATIONS, PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS and QUALIFICATIONS
To ensure you pick out a reliable asbestos removal firm in Kirkcaldy there are 2 or 3 industry organisations and bodies for asbestos management specialists.
UKATA - The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), is a nonprofit body which offers the best quality training to the asbestos industry at all levels. From the biggest company to an individual householder, UKATA has a training course with recognised qualifications for anybody; these qualifications can be validated through their online portal.
ATaC - The Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association (ATaC) is the de-facto trade body for analysts, surveyors and testing labs, examining all components believed to contain asbestos. ATaC is an accredited UKAS partner and provides recognition to its membership in this specialist field.
ARCA - The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), represents professional contractors and businesses working within the asbestos trade. By offering guidance, support and training to their members, ARCA is devoted to encouraging safe working practices and professionalism within the asbestos removal and disposal industry.
Asbestos surveys and asbestos removal services are available to home and business owners in Kirkcaldy itself and also in nearby areas such as Coaltown of Balgonie, Buckhaven, Cowdenbeath, West Wemyss, Auchtertool, Kinghorn, Markinch, Windygates, Cardenden, Aberdour, Dysart, Methil, Lochore, Thornton, Kinglassie, Burntisland, Lochgelly, and in these postcodes: KY1 1EU, KY1 1DP, KY1 1DN, KY1 1EZ, KY1 1QL, KY1 1PR, KY1 1SH, KY1 1NT, KY1 1BG, and KY1 1AD. Local Kirkcaldy asbestos removal specialists will probably have the postcode KY1 and the dialling code 01592. Checking this out will guarantee that you're accessing local providers of asbestos removal. Kirkcaldy homeowners will be able to benefit from these and lots of other asbestos related services. If you would like to obtain a price quote for asbestos removal services, this can be done by simply clicking on the "Quote" banner.
Types of Asbestos
Popular in both the manufacturing and construction industries from the latter part of the 19th century until it was banned altogether in the UK in 1999, asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material which is found on every continent of the world. In all there are six different types of asbestos, and all are minerals belonging to the amphibole and serpentine families, namely - chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, actinolite, anthophyllite and tremolite.
It's somewhat beyond the scope of this brief article to look at all but the 3 main types - amosite, crocidolite and chrysotile.
Amosite (Brown Asbestos) - Regularly used to make roofing materials, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, thermal insulation products, cement sheets and insulating board, amosite asbestos (grunerite) is also referred to as brown asbestos. It was mostly mined in South Africa.
Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos) - Part of the Amphibole family, crocidolite (also called blue asbestos), is recognised as the most dangerous form of asbestos. It's frequently found in spray-on coatings, plastics, pipe lagging and cement products, and was most notably used for insulating steam engines.
Chrysotile (White Asbestos) - Also referred to as white asbestos, chrysotile asbestos was the most widely used form of this deadly material. It was used in the manufacture of gaskets, duct & pipe insulation, boiler seals and brake linings, and in the insulation, floors, roofs, walls and ceilings of many Kirkcaldy homes and business premises. Chrysotile is the only kind of asbestos within the Serpentine family of minerals.
Interesting Facts: An interesting but scary fact is that blue asbestos was even used in the manufacture of cigarette filters, so unwitting smokers were actually breathing this harmful substance straight into their lungs during the fifties. What makes it even more unbelievable is that it was marketed as a health benefit at that time! So, the US based Lorillard Tobacco Company (Greensboro, NC) must get the award "blunder of the century", for putting the most deadly kind of asbestos (crocidolite) into the filters of their Kent Micronite cigarettes, and advertising it as a safety feature. The fallout of this scandal continues to this day, as million dollar lawsuits continue to be raised over 60 years later. In numerous instances, the claimants were affected by mesothelioma, an aggressive and rare type of cancer.
Asbestos Encapsulation Kirkcaldy
Managing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can be effectively achieved through the vital method of asbestos encapsulation without removing them. In this process, a sealant is applied to the ACMs to stop asbestos fibres from being released. The risk of exposure is greatly reduced by encapsulating the material, which makes the environment safer for occupants.
Asbestos encapsulation's chief advantage is its cost-effectiveness in contrast to full removal. Encapsulation is less disruptive, allowing buildings to remain operational during the process. Additionally, it offers a long-lasting solution that can last for many years, guaranteeing long-term protection against asbestos exposure.
Nonetheless, meticulous planning and execution by trained professionals is required for the encapsulation of asbestos. Ensuring the sealant remains intact and checking the condition of the encapsulated material necessitates regular inspections. Ensuring safety and compliance with health regulations requires immediate repair if any damage occurs. (Asbestos Encapsulation Kirkcaldy)
Asbestos Garage Roof Removal Kirkcaldy
Asbestos garage roof removal involves safely removing old roofing materials that contain asbestos. Asbestos was widely used in roofing due to its durability and fire-resistant properties, but it is now recognised to pose serious health risks. To prevent releasing harmful fibres, removing an asbestos roof demands special care and professional handling.
To remove an asbestos garage roof, the initial step is to hire a licensed asbestos removal company. These experts are trained to securely dismantle and dispose of asbestos materials. To ensure their safety and prevent contamination, they will seal off the area and use protective gear.
After the roof is removed, the asbestos material is meticulously packaged and taken to a certified disposal site. To make sure no asbestos fibres remain, the removal team will then carefully clean the area. Ensuring compliance with health regulations, this process makes the garage is safe to use in the future. (Asbestos Garage Roof Removal Kirkcaldy)
Asbestos Removal Companies Kirkcaldy
Asbestos removal companies are specialized contractors that are equipped to handle the safe removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. To manage the risks associated with asbestos removal, these companies employ licensed and trained professionals with the necessary knowledge, protective equipment and experience.
Asbestos removal companies are required to adhere to strict protocols and regulations set by regulatory bodies like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure the proper and safe removal of asbestos. The risk of exposure to harmful asbestos fibres is minimized by using specialist techniques and tools to safely remove and dispose of asbestos materials. Effectively managing the hazards associated with asbestos, asbestos removal companies contribute significantly to safeguarding public health and the environment.
Artex Removal
Way back in the 1970s and 1980s it was extremely common for both DIY fanatics and tradesmen in Kirkcaldy, to apply coatings of Artex to their walls and ceilings. Any inconsistencies, cracks and defects in these surfaces were quickly hidden by the pliable, textured finish of Artex. In a lot of instances the 60s trend of polystyrene ceiling tiles (a serious fire hazard), was replaced by a coat of Artex.
The ironic point about this is that Artex contains asbestos, so one dangerous material was simply being substituted for another. Naturally, at this time, the true perils of asbestos weren't fully recognised and it was not until sometime later that the risk to health was understood by the general public. Because lots of houses in Kirkcaldy still have ceilings and walls that are coated with Artex, you'd imagine that this would be a serious worry, however, since this product is largely harmless as long as it isn't disturbed in any way, it should not present too much of a problem.
If you have a house in Kirkcaldy that has Artex on the ceilings or walls you should never attempt to remove it yourself, although textured coating removal is classed as non-licenced work. Any specialist asbestos removal service operating in Kirkcaldy will be glad to test whether asbestos is indeed present in your textured coatings, and provide you with a quotation to safely remove the Artex.
Asbestos Air Monitoring Kirkcaldy
In areas possibly contaminated with asbestos fibres, asbestos air monitoring becomes a vital process to assess and maintain safe air quality. To detect and measure airborne asbestos particles, qualified specialists conduct routine air monitoring. The assessment of asbestos abatement procedures' effectiveness guarantees compliance with safety requirements. Safeguarding against exposure risks to both personnel and occupants is accomplished through continuous monitoring during renovation or asbestos removal projects. Air monitoring involves using specialist equipment to gather air samples, which are then analysed in certified laboratories. Accurate and prompt monitoring, crucially, safeguards public health and prevents asbestos-related conditions. (22689 - Asbestos Air Monitoring Kirkcaldy)
Asbestos Removal Tasks Kirkcaldy
Asbestos removal companies will be able to help with asbestos roof removal in Kirkcaldy, asbestos flue removal, asbestos encasement, armosite brown asbestos removal, office clearance, ethical asbestos disposal, blue asbestos removal, asbestos risk assessment in Kirkcaldy, asbestos tile removal, the removal of asbestos popcorn ceilings, lead paint testing, fly tipping clearance, garage asbestos removal in Kirkcaldy, asbestos floor tile removal, asbestos management, the identification of ACMs (asbestos containing materials), asbestos inspections, house clearance, asbestos sampling, asbestos identification, ground remediation, the removal of asbestos ceiling tiles, unsafe asbestos removal, asbestos removal in Kirkcaldy, soft strip demolition, artex asbestos surveys, environmental cleaning, asbestos garage roof removal, asbestos dismantling, the removal of asbestos, and other hazardous waste related jobs. These are just an example of the activities that are undertaken by people specialising in asbestos removal. Kirkcaldy contractors will be delighted to keep you abreast of their whole range of asbestos removal services.
Other Kirkcaldy Tradesmen and Services: When you are in need of asbestos removal in Kirkcaldy, you might also require the expert services of other tradesmen, for example you might need a bricklayer in Kirkcaldy, a painter & decorator in Kirkcaldy, waste removal in Kirkcaldy, timber treatment in Kirkcaldy, demolition services in Kirkcaldy, cleaning services in Kirkcaldy, a flooring specialist in Kirkcaldy, property maintenance in Kirkcaldy, a cellar conversion specialist in Kirkcaldy, gutter removal in Kirkcaldy, garden clearance in Kirkcaldy, SKIP HIRE in Kirkcaldy, an electrician in Kirkcaldy, or other Kirkcaldy tradespeople.
Asbestos Removal Near Kirkcaldy
Also find: Aberdour asbestos removal, Buckhaven asbestos removal, Burntisland asbestos removal, Kinghorn asbestos removal, Thornton asbestos removal, Markinch asbestos removal, Lochore asbestos removal, Auchtertool asbestos removal, Dysart asbestos removal, Kinglassie asbestos removal, Cowdenbeath asbestos removal, Coaltown of Balgonie asbestos removal, West Wemyss asbestos removal, Windygates asbestos removal, Lochgelly asbestos removal, Cardenden asbestos removal, Methil asbestos removal and more. All these areas are catered for by companies who do asbestos removal. Residents in these places can acquire estimates for asbestos removal by clicking here.
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