One Hundred Years On: Lessons Learnt from Asbestos and the Path Forward
This year marks 100 years since the first registered asbestos-related death. Nellie Kershaw, at the age of just 33, likely died due to inhaling asbestos fibres while working at Turner Brothers Asbestos Company. As we commemorate Kershaw, we must also recognise this as a pivotal moment that has influenced significant rules and regulations surrounding the use of asbestos.
As an asbestos specialist, G&L Consultancy is aware of the progress that has been made and continues to uphold the highest standards of work to protect workers. The health risks posed by asbestos are why we won’t compromise our high standards. We continue to set a precedent for others to follow and are proud to be an industry leader in our field.
The Journey to Awareness and Mitigation
How have we arrived at this key moment in modern times where we are aware of the health risks posed by asbestos and how to mitigate them? You may be surprised to learn that asbestos-containing materials have been used for thousands of years. Despite many reports of lung-related illnesses due to working with or being exposed to the material, it wasn’t until 1999 that the use of asbestos was banned in the UK.
Before 1999, despite the known health implications, asbestos continued to be used in household products and building materials. In the UK, its use became particularly prevalent after the Second World War due to its affordability and durability for construction purposes. Even post-ban, we are not out of the woods yet. Due to the extensive use of asbestos in building products, it still poses a very real threat.
Continued Vigilance is Essential
With this in mind, we can’t take our foot off the brakes. We must continue to be vigilant, as people will continue to fall ill from asbestos-related illnesses unless we ensure we’ve identified as much of the deadly material as possible.
G&L Consultancy: Leading the Way in Asbestos Management
G&L Consultancy specialises in asbestos management and can help identify potential asbestos-containing materials with one of our surveys:
- Asbestos Management Survey: The standard survey required to locate and assess the condition of all asbestos-containing materials within a building. Samples are taken and tested of any suspect materials.
- Refurbishment Survey: Required prior to the refurbishment of an entire building or a part of it, to locate any ACMs that may be disturbed during the refurbishment works.
- Demolition Survey: Required before the demolition of a building. This is a full-access survey to locate all ACMs using fully destructive techniques to access all areas within the fabric of the building prior to its demolition.
All G&L Consultancy surveys locate and record the locations, extent, and product type of any presumed or known ACMs. They inspect and record information on the accessibility, condition, and surface treatment of any presumed or known ACMs. Additionally, they determine and record the asbestos type, either by sampling and analysis or by making presumptions based on product type and appearance.
Contact one of our friendly team now to discuss your requirements and we can use our extensive knowledge to ensure your safety, and that of the community.
South West England Office: 01823 443898
Northern Ireland Office: 02840 623566
