Helping Tenants Understand Asbestos in the Home

If you have any concerns about asbestos contact us or try our Wealden Helpline on 0800 294114.

Asbestos - What Is It?
Management of Asbestos - Background
Survey Program
Works Program
Tenant Advice

Asbestos - What Is It?

Asbestos is a naturally - found fibrous rock. It was its fire-resistant properties that brought asbestos to prominence as a building material, and it was widely used in the construction industry in Britain between the 1950s and 1980s. Asbestos was added to products such as cement and plasterboard. Most houses and commercial buildings built during this period will have some element of asbestos within their structure. However, it may not be easy to identify asbestos as it is usually concealed in painted ceilings or else hidden away in boiler flues.

When in good condition asbestos need not cause alarm. However, if it becomes broken or starts to disintegrate over the years, it can release tiny airborne particles that can be inhaled. This can lead to asbestosis; an acute illness in which asbestos fibres scar the lining of the lung limiting its ability to absorb oxygen. Fibres can also be released when DIY work such as drilling or sanding is carried out on ACMs.
Asbestos is also carcinogen, or cancer - causing substance. At its worst, it can cause mesothelioma; a terminal condition affecting the lungs, chest cavity and stomach.

Some 3,500 people a year die of mesothelioma, but these are mainly linked to workplace exposure. It is usually many years after exposure that the symptoms start to appear.
Asbestos need not be feared as long as it is understood and maintained. Core Surveys' Emma Corfield emphasises this point:
"We want to educate people on the risks, and assure people that as long as precautions are taken, it is possible to remove asbestos safely, or even live with it safely".

Management of Asbestos - Background

In 2002 the 'Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations' came into effect. As part of this regulation; Landlords; Owners, and; those who have maintenance and repair responsibilities, were given a 'Duty to Manage' the risks from asbestos in premises.

What is Wealden District Council Doing?

To ensure that we meet our duties under these Regulations and ensure the safety of our residents and staff, we have adopted the following actions into our Asbestos Policy Plan;

• Step 1 – Confirm what we already know about Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) in our properties and review how we are currently managing them;
• Step 2 – Prevent work on our properties that may disturb ACM’s until measures to control the risk have been implemented;
• Step 3 – Carry out an inspection of our properties to identify damaged or disturbed asbestos and take action to control these;
• Step 4 – Carry out a risk assessment of the ACM’s found and set priorities for management;
• Step 5 – Develop a long-term management plan;
• Step 6 – Monitor and review the Management Plan.

Where Are We Surveying?

We have identified those properties which are more likely to contain asbestos products; properties built between 1960-1980. The surveys have been prioritised/programmed by density and have initially been focussed around Hailsham East and Crowborough.

During 2006/07 we completed 333 surveys targeted at Hailsham East properties and Sheltered Schemes. We have now completed surveys in the following areas;