How to choose an Asbestos Removal Company

How to choose an Asbestos Removal Company, Once you have had your building surveyed for asbestos by a qualified surveyor, you may need to have asbestos removed. In order to do this, you will need to choose an asbestos removal company. With so many companies offering the service out there, how do you make your selection? This blog outlines some of the things to consider when selecting an asbestos removal company.

Specialised services

When looking for an asbestos removal company, it is important to carefully assess the areas of asbestos removal they specialise in. Whilst some removal companies offer a range of services, others will specialise in asbestos abatement, mould remediation and other services. 

We would always recommend selecting a company that specialist in the type of asbestos removal service you require.

Asbestos removal company licensing

There are a range of different licensing options for companies working with asbestos. It is important to ensure the company you select has the right licences and is qualified to remove asbestos from your building. 

The equipment used and the company’s procedures

When narrowing your search, be sure to investigate what the company’ procedures are. For example, sheets should be used to keep asbestos fibres away from areas of the building that are not contaminated. The company should also have a decontamination procedure for their workers to follow before leaving the site.

It is also important to ensure the companies in your short list, are using the latest equipment and technologies available. If a company is using outdated equipment and tools, the equipment could be unsafe and could also hamper the efficiency of the removal process.

Insurance cover

It is no secret that asbestos is extremely dangerous, so it vital that you check the company you are going to use has the right levels of insurance. 

The contractor you decide to use should also have an employee compensation policy; this will cover any harm a worker might suffer whilst at work. The company should have public liability insurance to cover any damages to third parties or their property during the asbestos removal process. The benefit of public liability insurance is that it also shields you as a home/property owner from lawsuits if an employee is injured during the removal process.

Disposal of waste

Due to the level of harm asbestos can cause, it is essential that any contaminated materials are disposed of correctly. This includes any safety gear, polythene sheets and construction materials. It is also a requirement in England for contractors to hold a valid Waste Carrier Licence. Asbestos should also only be disposed of at licensed sites. 

When a company disposes of asbestos, it should be in a sealed double bag and marked as hazardous. The vehicle being used for transportation should also be easy to clean and have a locking chamber for asbestos. You should also be issued with proof that any contaminated materials have been disposed of safely and correctly.

Company reviews

No matter what service you are using, you are likely to take a look at previous reviews of the company. This is especially important for asbestos removal as asbestos containing material is extremely dangerous. In fact, if you can find someone who can provide you with a recommendation for an asbestos removal company, that is the best route to take. Also, often asbestos surveyors will be able to recommend companies they have worked with in the past.

If you would like more information on asbestos surveys and removal, our expert team are able to offer a range of advice, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

How Dangerous is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral, there are six different types of crystals that form depending on what materials were used during construction. Commonly found in old buildings and structures, such as offices and warehouses, the most common type of asbestos found is Chrysotile or ‘white asbestos.’ But just how dangerous is asbestos? And who is the most at risk from asbestos? In this blog, we’ll explain how dangerous asbestos really is.

Asbestos, when undisturbed, is usually safe and isn’t a cause for concern. However, when the material containing asbestos begins to crumble, the asbestos will start to emit fibres in the air which can cause some serious health problems. Crumbling asbestos is known as friable; specifically, when the asbestos is easily broken by hand. Once the asbestos is broken, the air surrounding it becomes extremely hazardous and should be removed by professionals as soon as possible to prevent any further contamination.

The spores that asbestos release into the air can cause a range of different health issues to anyone who breathes them in. Asbestos is dangerous because anyone who has breathed in the asbestos fibres will not show any symptoms of any possible health condition for anywhere between 1-10 years, in which time the fibres would have settled in your system and will begin to develop untreatable health conditions. Some of these conditions are as follows:

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects your Pleura (the lining of the lungs) and your Peritoneum (your lower digestive track). Being nearly exclusive to asbestos exposure, there is almost no way to treat the cancer and is therefore extremely fatal.

Asbestos-related Lung Cancer

Asbestos-related Lung Cancer looks almost identical to other types of lung cancer that is caused by smoking etc. Due to the nature of asbestos, this articular type of lung-cancer can be more deadly than the types that are more easily identifiable.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is caused from heavy exposure of asbestos over multiple years. This condition causes heavy scarring of the lungs and in most cases can be fatal. Asbestosis causes a shortness of breath that progressively gets worse as the scarring continues to grow.

Pleural Thickening

A more general condition that occurs after heavy asbestos exposure. Pleural Thickening is the swelling and thickening of the lining of the lungs. As the condition grows, the lungs may become suffocated and can cause a shortness of breath and/or discomfort in the chest.

These fatal conditions aren’t the only things that asbestos can cause. Short term exposure to the asbestos fibres can cause dry coughs, shortness of breaths, loss of appetite followed by weight loss and chest pains of tightness.

Due to the fact that asbestos exposure is difficult to identify and many of the symptoms don’t appear until the fatal conditions are already set in place, asbestos is an extremely dangerous substance when not handled professionally. Around 5,000 workers die every year from conditions caused by asbestos exposure, that’s more deaths than our roads cause annually.

With all of this in mind, it’s very important to be educated on asbestos and aware of your surroundings in your everyday living environments. Make sure your homes and workplaces are surveyed for asbestos and keep yourself and everyone around you safe. To arrange an asbestos survey, please contact our team.