PLGN 5.01 Asbestos
Products from ICI Paints do not contain asbestos. However, Specifiers, Builders and Professional Painters should be aware that, during painting and decorating activities, there may be exposure to asbestos which can be hazardous to health.
Over the years, many asbestos-containing building and construction compounds have been installed and over-painted. Examples include:
- Asbestos cement-based materials such as guttering, shuttering, partitioning, boards, pipes and tanks
- Asbestos fibre-containing materials such as insulation, thermal and other protective boards and ducting
- Certain asbestos fibre-containing textured wall and ceiling plasters and finishes (e.g. Artex CompoundTM, production of which ceased in July 1984).
Exposure to asbestos can potentially occur when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, e.g. sanded, abraded or power cleaned prior to painting or repainting during routine maintenance and repair work.
Whenever the presence of asbestos is suspected in any previous painted items or in surfaces to be prepared for painting, extreme caution must be adopted.
The following courses of action are recommended:
- Professional painters and builders should refer to appropriate legislation and HSE publications on asbestos:
- Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1999 (or future amendments), The Stationery Office (see Yellow Pages)
- Working with asbestos in buildings (IND(G)289 or future versions), HSE Books (Tel: 01787 881165)
- Selection of suitable respiratory equipment for work with asbestos (IND(G)288 or future versions), HSE Books
- Asbestos dust kills: keep your mask on (IND(G)255 rev.1, or future versions), HSE Books
- Information on handling Artex products can be obtained from Artex - Blue Hawk, Artex Avenue, Newhaven, East Sussex, RN9 9BD (Tel: 01273 611308).