UK: Alarm installers urged to check for asbestos

Norwich Union is urging security and alarm installers to check for the hidden threat of asbestos before starting work in customers’ premises, following research¹ which predicts that 25% of the deaths from mesothelioma, the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, will be in building trades such as electricians, alarm installers and plumbers.

New legislation will make property owners and managers responsible for controlling the risk arising from asbestos. The forthcoming ‘duty to manage obligations’ comes into force in May 2004, but Norwich Union is advising alarm installers to start asking questions now.

Phil Grace, casualty risk manager at Norwich Union, explains: “While the dangers of asbestos in an industrial environment are well documented, there is a hidden threat from asbestos in buildings, putting tradesmen like security installers at risk.”

Research indicates that the death toll from asbestos will continue to rise for another five to ten years, with 25% of the deaths from mesothelioma predicted to be in the building trades.

Although asbestos has been banned from new buildings, it is still present in many properties built over the last 50 years. It is estimated that up to 85% of commercial buildings contain asbestos- containing materials (ACMs), including asbestos insulation board, pipe lagging, ceiling and floor tiles, fire-resistant door panels and asbestos cement.

Phil Grace continues: “While it is unlikely that security installers will turn down work without a guarantee that the premises are asbestos-free, and nor do they need to, they are well within their rights to encourage those in control of the building to adopt best practice ahead of the legislation.”

As well as asking whether an asbestos survey has been carried out in the first place, there are also a number of simple steps installers should be taking to reduce their risk of exposure to asbestos. The HSE document Asbestos Essentials Task Manual (HSG 213) contains advice on how to drill asbestos insulation board, for example, and how to remove ceiling tiles in a safe manner.

From 21 May 2004 property owners and tenants will be legally obliged to manage the risk arising from asbestos under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. This includes finding out whether ACMs are present in their buildings, where it is located and its condition; assessing the risks from these materials; preparing and implementing plans to manage the risks; and providing information to anyone liable to come into contact with asbestos.

Norwich Union Risk Services offers support and advice on reducing the risk of exposure to asbestos. Alarm installers can download guidance on the hazards of asbestos and advice on safe working from the website at www.nu-riskservices.co.uk/hardfacts/

¹ Source: Peto, 1995, published in the Lancet.

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For further information, please contact:
Debbie Wells at Staniforth on 0161 274 0100 or David Ross at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 65/07786 526350.

Notes to editors

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