Episode 5 - Asbestos

What's this podcast episode about?

Key takeaways:

Asbestos becomes a risk once disturbed and airbourne

Hire a professional to conduct an asbestos survey on your farm

Look into the feasibility of having it removed 

Asbestos is a natural mineral found in the ground that humans have used for thousands of years. Its Greek name translates to "inextinguishable" due to its fire resistance.

It wasn't until the 20th century that asbestos was used in nearly everything, particularly building products. It doesn't rot, burn and it has great thermal properties.

However, the fine fibre particles of asbestos are cancerogenic (cancer-causing). 

Asbestos particles become airborne once disturbed. If breathed into your lungs it cannot get out. Your immune system recognises it as unwanted but can't break it down. This causes the fibres to go deep into your lungs to scar them and cause cancer.

It wasn't until 1970-80s that health issues were finally connected to the use of asbestos. It then took until the 2000s to ban.

Any building older than 2000 has a good chance of having asbestos in it. It's found in window frames, flooring and even toilet seats! However, the key thing to remember is that it's a low risk to health unless the asbestos has been disturbed.

You'll need to arrange a survey of where it is on your property with an external expert. This will help you to create an asbestos management plan and provide you with advice on what to do. This may be leaving it in place or putting up warning signs. The survey also creates an asbestos register that you can update yearly to ensure nothing has changed. 

If you're concerned about asbestos on your farm, reach out to Gulliver at Strutt and Parker Rural for more guidance. 

Informative Links

• Asbestos Management Plan – inside Safe Ag Systems

• Asbestos Policy – inside Safe Ag Systems

• The duty to manage asbestos in buildings

• Building work - what you need to know

• Introduction to Asbestos essentials

• Asbestos essentials