Asbestos and our industry

[Binthere]

Hefty fines follow asbestos failings | Construction News | The Construction Index

I rarely start new threads as you are all so well versed in the scaffolding industry. I attended a relatives funeral recently, he had died early, painfully from an asbestos related disease of the lungs. After reading an article in 'the construction index' following hefty fines of two contractors that left asbestos boarding exposed on site and did nothing to protect their workforce it got me thinking. How many of you know what asbestos looks like? We all expect those controlling sites to be aware of the dangers, but clearly some dont and we are all at risk. What are your thoughts? does anyone have an answer to protect our fellow workers from this deadly dust?

 

[aom]

Not really Binthere. We have worked for a few who were ignorant of the dangers, and some who were just ignorant who new the dangers all to well and still did nothing. I suppose individual training can help but the employers who are prepared to train in at least spotting the dangers are the least likely to expose their men to that threat. Not many answers as usual but I know it's a subject close to your heart and even a daft wee post like this could make even someone more aware of the danger they are facing.

 

[Flinty]

Awareness. But as AOM said, some people are just damn ignorant and ignore it. I've been exposed to it a few times in early days of scaffolding. Won't be happy if I suffer for it later.

 

[Mr.B]

i work for a rather large company that deals with the horrible stuff,
Been trained, got the masks and have the yearly medical.
Not been near any 'Live' asbestos although have done jobs for asbestos removal.
The area is cleaned and checked and repeated if nesercary before we go back in to dismantle, so the risk is all but eliminated in that scenario.
working in a 'Live' area would be different, masks, suits, decontamination units, seperate belts harness's just for live areas.

seen people with asbestos related illnesses and its not nice.

 

[marra watson]

few years aog we were erecting asnd stripping matts under the top floor between two council houses if you get me all semis but with a top room joining them with a walk way to the garden under it,well they all had asbestos in them and yan lad was off for 2 weeks with a chest infection and rumors started round work that he was off with the asbestos,first day back gaffer right out saying you needed think its asbestos coz there isnt any up there so ya can get that right out of your head few mounths later they started tenting them out but not after months of lads stripping them and knocking them down with out no tents its all about money to them powers and life is cheap to them be aware lads

 

[aom]

Just be prepared to tell them to beat it no matter who asks you to go in. Pathetic really.

 

[mick fenlon]

Did an asbestos awareness course a few yrs back it's frightening to know just how much of the stuff is about just in everyday life.
Been back on refinery for a coupla weeks now n the shites everywhere.

 

[bigfish]

Once the particles are airbourne you cant see it,if you suspect it's presence,stay away until the client has had it tested,years ago we were oblivious to the dangers and the big old mats in the old factory roofs that so many of us have worked on would have an inch of dusty residue all over the steels,once disturbed the air you were breathing would be full of particles of all discriptions,same on demo sites,god knows what we were breathing in,all day every day,scary part is,it can get you thirty years later,how many of us are ticking timebombs??

 

[mick fenlon]

Once the particles are airbourne you cant see it,if you suspect it's presence,stay away until the client has had it tested,years ago we were oblivious to the dangers and the big old mats in the old factory roofs that so many of us have worked on would have an inch of dusty residue all over the steels,once disturbed the air you were breathing would be full of particles of all discriptions,same on demo sites,god knows what we were breathing in,all day every day,scary part is,it can get you thirty years later,how many of us are ticking timebombs??

All of us bigfish n not just through job either,asbestos really is everywhere.
Do the awareness course it's a real eye openern Ya'll realise why I will never holiday in Cyprus!!!

 

[bigfish]

All of us bigfish n not just through job either,asbestos really is everywhere.
Do the awareness course it's a real eye openern Ya'll realise why I will never holiday in Cyprus!!!

Yea,we've all done the course at our place mick,refresher every two years,just the asbestos awarness,but i think it's important for the younger guy's to be aware of it.

 

[mick fenlon]

Yea,we've all done the course at our place mick,refresher every two years,just the asbestos awarness,but i think it's important for the younger guy's to be aware of it.

I think it should mandatory bigfish but a lot of these younguns would have devil may care attitude,may ave been guilty of same in Me youth.
I can still be a bit gung ho in somd of Me attitudes but gotta admit this sh*te frightens Me.