FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Asbestos Risk – What You Need to Know

August 7th, 2008

Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic premises, then you have a legal duty to manage the risk from any materials containing asbestos.

Failure to do so could result in prosecution.

• What are my legal obligations regarding asbestos?

You have a duty of care to protect those who occupy, work in or visit your premises, from exposure to harmful substances including asbestos fibres. Failure to do so could result in prosecution. You could also be subject to litigation if anyone can prove that they contracted a related disease because of asbestos fibres present at your premises.

• Where could asbestos be located in my premises?

Before the hazards of asbestos fibre inhalation were fully recognised, fire-resistant asbestos was the safety material of choice for builders and property renovators for much of the 20th century. Its strong binding qualities were also often used in the manufacture of other construction materials and, as a consequence, asbestos can be found in many areas of commercial property, including external and internal cladding, pipe insulation and boiler rooms, lift plant rooms and shaft lining, electrical plant rooms, service risers, toilets and flooring materials, textured coatings to walls and ceilings, toilet seats and cisterns.

• We have not had any problems yet – so why bother now?

Asbestos may have been present in your premises for decades, undisturbed and posing little threat to anyone. However, there is always the risk that external contractors – such as telecommunications and electrical engineers - could damage the asbestos and cause dangerous fibres to be released.

• So what should I do now?

Do you have a specific policy to deal with asbestos and does this relate to any assessments or inspections you have done?  Have you got a suitable asbestos management plan to document how you manage the risks, the arrangements for monitoring and removal, how you disseminate the information and who needs asbestos awareness training?  If you do have a plan, is it up to date and do you regularly review it to ensure it is up to date?  Are you SURE that you have procedures in place for any eventuality or accidental exposure to asbestos?

• If the answer is ‘no’, or ‘I’m not sure’, then you need to review your current situation with regard to ensuring the safe management of asbestos.

Ayerst Environmental, the Asbestos Consultancy, has over 20 years' experience in the asbestos business, controlling and advising on the risks posed by asbestos in all types of commercial and residential properties. Our unrivalled level of expertise enables us to offer sensible solutions to all your asbestos problems. We can review your existing asbestos, carry out surveys and inspections, plus assist in implementation of management plans and action plans - a key requirement of compliance.

For further information telephone 020 8658 8050 / 8060, email us@ayerstenv.com or visit our website at www.ayerstenvironmental.com.

Contact:

Buyers Guide
0191 265 6388
0191 265 3388
info@buyersguide.co.uk
www.buyersguide.co.uk

Company History

Buyers Guide, based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, was established in 1996 and is the leading online directory of UK companies that are targeting the £600 billion in public spending each year. To date, there are over 5,000 company listings in 1,200 categories on the www.buyersguide.co.uk website.