Asbestos cut outside children’s bedroom

2 years ago

Builders accidentally cut through chrysolite cement board with reciprocating saw in two places outside children’s window, window was closed but old wooden windows, do have seals but pretty old. I am freaking out that any dust could have got into the bedroom, know probably being irrational here as windows were closed but don’t seem to be able to accept it. Anyone got any experience in this area, here is seal on window, cut was made about 30cm from window, probably 20 seconds of cutting in total, many thanks, Lawrence

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Comments (5)

Daisy England
2 years ago
I wouldn’t have thought any dust would have penetrated
Lawrence Meakins thanked Daisy England
Lawrence Meakins
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks for quick reply, I can't imagine it either but doesn't seem to stop me continually thinking there has, guess need to move on somehow.

Lawrence
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Angie
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Sorry to hear about this, a worrying thing to have happened, especially outside your children’s room. The contractor should have carried out a risk assessment before starting the job and then put in place measures to ensure that any asbestos identified is not disturbed, or is removed correctly. I would speak to the HSE*. The contractor may well be required to report this under RIDDOR regulations, especially as it happened twice. The following from the HSE is helpful, last updated 2018. https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/em1.pdf

I don’t want to add to your worries, but it is better safe than sorry. Having said that, I agree that it seems unlikely that any dust will have penetrated the window, but I would still want to speak with the HSE. Hope it works out ok. Angie

*Health and Safety Executive
Lawrence Meakins thanked Angie
Lawrence Meakins
Original Author
2 years ago
Whilst extremely annoying it was accidental, further along where they had been more careful there was no cement board under the soft fit so they wrongly assumed wouldn't be any along the whole run. the two cuts were to remove a section when they realised what had happened.

The rest is being professionally removed.

The links are useful but not many people seem to be in my scenario where release is outside near a closed window - maybe because not so much of a problem, I have been staring at the windows trying to convince myself nothing got in but guess no way to be sure and that is worrying aspect, no other sort of dust that worrying but because it is asbestos then pretty scary.

Lawrence
Jonathan
2 years ago
Since asbestos is actually in the air we all breath (because it is used in Airplanes and brakes and was used in buildings for years). As a result it is thought that limited short term exposure (like the builder had who sawed into it) is associated less with lung problems and more with anxiety about it.
What this means is that your anxiety is quite normal but unnecessary, the builders exposure is thought to be very little so the exposure your children would have had is likely to be close to zero

Asbestos cut outside children’s bedroom

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Daisy England

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Asbestos cut outside children’s bedroom

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Daisy England

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Angie

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Jonathan

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