Why Asbestos Removal is a dangerous process
Because of the life-threatening nature associated with high levels of asbestos exposure, the government in the UK often recommends that if asbestos is detected in the ceiling insulation or the paint, that it is best to leave it undisturbed.
Asbestos fibers are very small by comparison to a human hair for example. When the fibres are disturbed, they quickly become airborne and this is when the battle becomes deadly serious. This is why the government recommends that, as long as the asbestos is located in a place where it will lie undisturbed, it should be left exactly where it is.
Asbestos removal is a dangerous undertaking. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause serious medical conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. When removing asbestos, it is essential to follow the proper asbestos removal protocol to minimize the risk of exposure to the toxic fibers.
Asbestos removal considerations
- When it is decided that asbestos does need to be removed from a building, a company that offers asbestos removal services should always be used rather than personally trying to attempt the hazardous procedure. Although it is legal for property owners to personally remove the material, strict adherence to the Government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines must be followed.
- High concentrations of asbestos exposure often result in diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. All of the diseases associated with asbestos damage are highly serious with some being fatal.
When asbestos is inhaled into the lungs, it tends to become trapped there, resulting in a natural immune response that then results in the release of carcinogens (cancer-causing elements) into the bloodstream over a period of 10 to 40 years. It is possible for the asbestos fibres to remain in the body permanently, as the body is unable to dissolve them naturally. - The standard practices that are followed by asbestos removal contractors begin with the total sealing off of the area where the asbestos has been located. This is to prevent the escape of any contaminated air. Contractors working for the asbestos removal companies are required by law to wear high grade breathing apparatuses to guard against the accidental inhalation of the fibres and particles. Following the successful removal of contaminated material, contractors have to be decontaminated before they are permitted to leave the area.
- Decontamination includes removal and disposal of the worker’s exposed clothes and work gear, while exposed skin should be thoroughly washed. Asbestos is best removed by first applying moisture so that particles become too heavy to become airborne.
- The removal process itself involves spraying the asbestos thoroughly with water. Once the asbestos is saturated, a pry bar and knife are used to remove the asbestos. As it is removed, it is packed in asbestos removal bags. The bags are double seal bags—the bag should be sealed as the asbestos is being packed, and then it should be seal a second time. It is essential to keep the asbestos wet throughout the process.
Common disposal methods include burying the material as a hazardous material in landfills, but the safest and most secure way to dispose of asbestos is through thermal decomposition. Thermal decomposition is a process in which the asbestos is heated to more than 1000 degrees Celsius, at which point it becomes a harmless silicate. If the material is heated further, the silicate then becomes a silicate glass which can be used to make nonhazardous materials like floor tiles and bricks. - When the asbestos has been taken from the building, it must be totally secured and disposed of in the correct manner. One particular method that is often used is burial in landfill sites. This is now thought to be an unsafe practice and environmentally unsound, and has been replaced by thermal decomposition. Thermal decomposition is a process whereby the asbestos is heated to over 1000 Celcius, producing a harmless silicate. A further heating process can produce a silicate glass, which is used in the production of floor tiles and bricks.
For further information on health and safety and asbestos advice, visit the official Government website at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/basics.htm
Steel Security Doors and Communal Doors – a security enhancement worth considering?
Because there are lots of ways that a burglar or intruder can gain uninvited access into your property, the security of your home and family can never be dependent on one aspect. External doors, however, are the obvious point at which someone may have an attempt at accessing your property. If you have any doubts about the quality and security of the doors, you might like to consider steel security doors or communal doors.
You may well be thinking that steel security doors or communal doors would look out of place on a residential property. The reality is different – there are a wide variety of finishes and colours to choose from, including some with a passable ‘wood grain’ effect. Steel security doors can be supplied in 4, 6 and 8 panelled designs, retro and post modern, with nearly any design in wood able to be replicated in steel.
Steel and communal doors can be painted in a range of colours to suit your choice and can be obtained with a coating that replicates a grain effect. These types of doors are well respected within the security industry for their durable character, fire resistance and their ability to withstand distortion and rot.
The Door leaf is constructed from 1.6mm Steel and frame from 2.00mm Steel welded for extra strength, 45mm core has a bonded honeycomb infill to give the door extra rigidity. Because it is hollow, it not only has the strength from the steel properties, but the other great advantage is the light-weight end product.
Auto closure features on communal doors
Heavy duty door closers ensure that the doors close automatically, and are concealed from view to protect against attack and an integrated anti-jemmy strip, situated on the leading edge of the door protects the locking system against attack from crowbars and other levers.
Heavy Duty vision panels in a range of different sizes are available with 6mm clear polycarbonate glazing or laminated glass.
With a steel door, although relatively light as described in a previous paragraph, it still has to be supported well by a durable door frame, and of course the locking system needs to be capable of defeating burglars and home invaders. Many steel security doors and communal doors are supplied with a multi point lock that provides a good level of security.
If you are seeking security doors for a commercial or private buildings, and you wish to have the level of security officially verified, you can register for ‘Police Preferred Specification’ status awarded by Secured by Design. Secured by Design (SBD) is owned by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and is the corporate title for a group of national police projects focusing on the design and security for new & refurbished homes, commercial premises.
Award Win
Secure Site (UK) – An Award Winning Service
With the threat of a recession in 2007, when the opportunity arose to benefit from business coaching, Managing Director Shaun Miller took the decision to get involved in the international Action business-coaching programme. With the professional advice from Derek Tyrell, Action Coach, Secure Site has gone from strength to strength, utilizing proven methods to improve the customer experience and find innovative ways to improve the service delivery
All the hard work paid off when at the Southern Region Action Coaching Awards, held at the prestigious Hurlingham Club in West London, hosted by Bradley Sugars the Action Coaching founder.
Secure Site (UK) was presented with the Financial Award, for increasing the turnover of the business whilst maintaining profits. The award was received with some surprise, on behalf of the Company by Shaun Miller, who said, “Action Coaching really has opened my eyes to a different way of doing things”.
Now Secure Site (UK) really can boast an award winning service!!
Humanitarian Award
Humanitarian Award for Quick Thinking Manager
When an 80-year-old pensioner collapsed at the Martlets Shopping Centre, in Burgess Hill, the quick thinking of Tony Reader, Secure Site, Security Manager, saved his life after he stopped breathing.Relying on his training, Tony after calling for an ambulance started giving CPR, refusing to give up for over half an hour until the casualty had recovered a good pulse.
Mr Sewell, was taken directly to the Princess Royal Hospital where he never fully regained consciousness and sadly passed away 10 days later.
Not expecting recognition for his actions Tony was surprised when he was invited to the Sussex Police North Downs Division Awards Ceremony, held at Slaugham Manor, Sussex, where he was presented with an Humanitarian award by Assistant Chief Constable Robin Merrett for his life saving efforts, which enabled Mr Sewell’s family to say goodbye to their much loved father and husband with dignity.
When asked about the events at the shopping centre, Tony said, “the first aid training just kicked in and you just get on with it”
Centre Manager of the Martlets, Graham Fogerty, was full of praise and said the overall response has been “incredible.”
“He is just highly trained in all aspects of the job, he is a real professional”
Secure Site (UK), Commercial Manager Nick Swalwell said “I have worked with Tony for several years and his cool-headed approach doesn’t surprise me in the least, he’s a real asset to the a team and a shining example to all professional Security Staff”
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