Neighbours Asbestos Roof Slates

AesopsAnt02

Good afternoon everyone,

I'd like some advice please, or to have my mind put at rest!

Right now, my neighbour next door is having a new roof put on. This has made it necessary to remove the old asbestos slates. The problem is, the building contractors doing the re-roof are just chucking these slates down into an open skip below, where they're getting smashed. None of them are wearing any protective equipment whatsoever.

Is this safe? I thought asbestos had to be handled very carefully. Am I worrying about this for no reason, or should I be talking to my neighbour about it?

Thanks for reading, any advice appreciated.

phill99

How do you know they are asbestos?

Stevie_Palimo

Some of the old style asbestos roofing had very little in it, I did see work done and it was be stripped off without protection but thrown away in a correct skip, I never understood this and the guys claimed it would not harm you due to such small amounts within it.


Not for me as I would imagine a small amount can still be harmful enough.

stator

The dust can certainly be dangerous, but mostly to them doing the work. I would advise them and then phone the council.
If you're worried about dust in your garden set up a sprinkler or hose and rinse it all away.

AesopsAnt02

Thank you for the replies.

I don't know for sure that the slates are asbestos, but my neighbour thinks they are (we discussed the extra cost of getting rid of asbestos slates when she told us about having her roof replaced) and the slates on my roof are probably asbestos (we bought this house a year ago and it came up on the survey) which is a similar age to next door, 1930s. Also, once the roofers have thrown the slates off the roof they are getting them out of the skip and double bagging them.

I did say to one of them yesterday that I was worried because he wasn't wearing any protective clothing etc, but he said it was fine, and the really problematic asbestos was in the corrugated sheets. I just wasn't sure if that was accurate.

Thanks Stator, I'll get the hose out this evening!

srm1

Take some photos & try to get building control involved ASAP if you consider this a health and safety issue.
Hope all gets sorted!

paddyrg

Asbestos slates are a composite, with some asbestos and a binder - if unbroken are pretty inert. Some useful links...

http://www.nfrc.co.uk/docs/health-and-safety-guidance-publications/hs-guidance-sheet-j.pdf?sfvrsn=4
http://www.hseni.gov.uk/asbestos_advisory_service_faq_nov_09.pdf
http://www.slateroofcentral.com/photos_asbestos.htm