asbestos

• asbestos can be found in any building built before the year 2000 (hospitals, school, offices)
• according to the HSE it causes around 5000 deaths each year
• when materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into thin air
• when these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases such as lung cancer
• anyone who is is a building owner, for example, of a residential care home, or is a manager responsible for maintenance of premises has a 'duty to manage' any asbestos in buildings
• this duty covers public buildings