1 Working together to deliver quality homes and a better environment for all
Your guide to asbestos in
Our vision
To achieve this we will be:
•
P
roviding quality homes•
R
egenerating estates and communities•
I
nvolving customers to improve services•
D
elivering excellent services to all•
E
mployer of choice and financially stable“Working together to deliver quality homes
and a better environment for all”
3 We will do this by training our staff to understand people’s different needs, and will monitor our services to make sure they are provided fairly to everyone.
Our staff will:
• help you fill in forms
• provide an interpretation service if your first language is not English • give you information, on request, in different languages or in
different formats such as large print, Braille, CD or audio tape • use plain English
• take into account any additional needs you may have • provide you with support if you need it
• take calls using Typetalk
• where possible, arrange for you to speak to, or be visited by a member of staff of the same sex as you, if you wish
• provide induction-loop systems
• visit you at home if you can’t get to our office
• provide you with a sign-language service if you need it.
Providing services fairly
We aim to ensure that all our customers can use our services regardless of age, race, gender, disability, religion or sexuality, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity or marriage and civil partnership.
This leaflet gives important information about asbestos that may be in your home. Please read the leaflet and keep it in a safe place - you may need it later.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us on0800
032 0835(there are more contact details at the end of this leaflet).
Introduction
About asbestos in your home
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a fibrous material that is made from several natural minerals found in rocks. It has been used in building materials for about 150 years because it is strong, flexible, stable and fire proof. You can’t tell whether something contains asbestos simply by
looking at it. Often you can only find out by analysing it in a specialist laboratory.
Asbestos is present in many buildings, although properties built since the mid-1990s are very unlikely to contain it. Generally, asbestos is perfectly safe if it is not disturbed or damaged. However if asbestos-containing materials are, for example, drilled, cut or sanded, this can release fibres into the air. If the fibres are inhaled, they can be a health risk and can cause a range of serious illnesses.
Sound, undisturbed asbestos-containing materials do not pose a direct health risk. However, they should be carefully managed to ensure they are still in good condition and to prevent fibres being released accidentally.
Where might I find asbestos in my
home?
Building materials containing asbestos were widely used in buildings from 1930 to around the mid-1990s, so homes that were built or refurbished at this time may contain asbestos.
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Remember: building materials containing asbestos that are in good condition will not be a risk to anyone living in the property.
7
Where there may be asbestos in a
home
How we deal with asbestos
We regularly survey and sample all our empty properties for any possible containing materials. If we find asbestos-containing materials, we record these on our database.
If we are planning improvements or major repair work for your home, we will arrange a survey before we begin the work.
A specialist surveyor from the asbestos testing company we use will make an appointment with you to come and do the survey. They may need to take samples from your home for testing.
We have a legal duty to protect against the health risks posed by asbestos. We need to know what asbestos-containing material may be in your home before starting any building work. If you don’t allow the surveyor into your home, this could delay the planned work.
After testing samples of asbestos-containing material
If we find that its type, condition or location is a high risk, we will remove it immediately.
If the asbestos-containing material carries a much lower risk, we will: – remove the material as and when we do any major building work
to your home, or
– seal and bond the material to stop it releasing fibres.
If the material is in good condition, sealed and not exposed, and so unlikely to break up, we will record its type and where it is, and take this into account when doing any work on your home.
If you think there is asbestos in your home, don’t try to deal with it yourself - contact us immediately.
7
Frequently asked questions
7
What are the health risks?
Asbestos-containing materials are only a health risk if asbestos dust from them is inhaled into the lungs, when it can cause serious illness, including some forms of cancer. Often it takes many years for the disease to show itself.
If there is asbestos-containing material in my home, why not remove it straight away?
Disturbing asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition may produce dust and increase health risks. When we survey homes to find out whether there are asbestos-containing materials, we also check their condition. Materials in good condition do not cause health problems. If materials are in poor condition, we will consider removing them or sealing them. However, when we need to do building work on your home, disturbing asbestos may be unavoidable. If so, we would probably look at how we could safely remove the material.
I think I may have disturbed or damaged some asbestos-containing materials in my home - what should I do?
Contact our asbestos section on 0800 032 0835 and we will arrange to have the material inspected and assessed. We will then decide what needs to be done to make it safe.
I’ve been told that Artex contains asbestos. What is it and is it safe?
Artex is a textured coating that was widely used in council properties on interior walls and ceilings. Older types of Artex contained a small amount of asbestos. Artex is safe as long as it is left alone - it is very hard and is unlikely to produce dust.
Is it OK for tenants to sand or scrape off old Artex?
No, because this could cause large amounts of harmful dust. Contact us and we will arrange to have a look at the material with you and give you advice.
7 9
Can I decorate walls and ceilings coated with old Artex?
You can paint walls and ceilings coated with old Artex, but do not sand or scrape the Artex. If you notice any damaged areas, please contact us for advice.
Can I hang a picture on a wall coated with old Artex?
Tapping in a normal picture hook is not a problem, but never drill or screw through old Artex as this could create harmful dust.
Can I repair or re-skim walls or ceilings that are coated with Artex?
Perhaps, but this could be a problem. Please contact us for advice.
Can I remove and dispose of plastic floor tiles that contain asbestos?
Perhaps. Plastic floor tiles are unlikely to produce much harmful l]sxp Y]x GN] sx?ii PEEl xN YE Bv]x?N]s\ mPZ?uNPgEPxvi vPl LvsxE dET]ivx?NPs sxvxE xAvx GN] sAN]il xuvPsbNux vPl l?sbNsE Nn vii JvsxE asbestos safely and properly. We suggest you contact us for advice before removing floor tiles.
Can I overlay old plastic floor tiles that contain asbestos with another floor covering?
Generally, this is OK as long as no sanding or scraping is involved. Nailing down floor coverings or gripper rods though the tiles will not produce harmful dust. If in doubt, contact us for more advice.
I have noticed some broken pieces of plastic floor tile that I think contain asbestos. Is my health at risk?
No, even broken pieces of tile don’t produce much dust, so there should be little health risk. But contact us and we will help you dispose of them safely.
We are committed to providing you with excellent services.
We will regularly review our standards and say how far we have met them. This will help us make sure that we continue to provide a high quality of service.
We will improve our services where we do not meet our standards.
Our asbestos service - our promise
to you
We will:
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major repair work to your home
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Local offers - our promise to you
Spending money wisely
We aim to get the most out of the money we have available for our customers.
You can help us by:
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We will always try to provide the best services that we can, so we make sure we learn from any complaints and compliments.
If you are not satisfied with our service, please let us know and we will try to sort out your complaint immediately. Our leaflet ‘Your guide to making complaints, compliments or suggestions’ gives you further details of how to complain.
We also welcome your comments and suggestions and regularly ask for your views on our services.
Improving our service
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Whitehouse Business Park Peterlee
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Direct dial: 0191 518 5497
You can use this low-cost, direct-dial number from your mobile phone to avoid premium charges, which your network provider may charge for calling freephone numbers.
Text: ‘enquiry’ to 07786 207 745
Typetalk: 18001 then the telephone number you require
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Website: www.eastdurhamhomes.co.uk
Our contact centre is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 12 noon on Saturday.
Please note: for emergencies outside normal office hours, you can contact us on 0800 032 0835.
Our contact centre can deal with most of your enquiries. If you prefer, you can visit us at one of our customer outlets in Peterlee or Murton, or if necessary our head office.
Our contact centre is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 12 noon on Saturday.
Please note: for emergencies outside normal office hours, you can contact us on 0800 032 0835.
Our contact centre can deal with most of your enquiries.
If you prefer, you can visit us at one of our customer outlets in Peterlee or Seaham, or if necessary our head office.
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For more information, please contact
us at:
How to find us:
Head Office
2 Meridian Court
Whitehouse Business Park Peterlee
SR8 2RQ Opening times:
Monday to Thursday–8.30am to 5pm Friday–8.30am to 4.30pm
Seaham Customer Outlet
St John’s Square Sophia Street Seaham SR7 7JE
Opening times:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday–8.30am to 5pm Wednesday–10am to 5pm
Friday–8.30am to 4.30pm
Peterlee Customer Outlet
29 Yoden Way
Castle Dene Shopping Centre Peterlee
SR8 1AL Opening times:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday–8.30am to 5pm Wednesday–10am to 5pm
Friday–8.30am to 4.30pm Saturday–9am to 12 noon
Remember - we can also arrange to visit you at home if you can’t get to one of our offices.
B1287
A182 Tempest
Road
Church Byron Place Shopping Centre Castlereagh Road Sophia Street Seaham Contact Centre N Railway Street Foundry Road Railway Seaham 15
This leaflet contains information about asbestos. If you would like us to provide this information in your first language, or you would like us to provide a translator and meet with you to discuss its contents, please contact us on 0800 032 0835. We can also provide same-gender interviews and home visits when required.
All our publications can be provided in large print, audio
tape or CD, electronically via email or in Braille. We can
also provide an induction loop, BSL interpreter, same-gender
interview or home visits if required. Please contact us on
0800 032 0835.
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