Asbestos was banned in 1989 so as the buildings that incorporated it age their roofing and siding will fall into disrepair.
How to walk on asbestos roof.
Consequently safe access systems must be in place before any work commences to both prevent and arrest falls from height.
Some people including experienced roofers claim that it is safe to walk along the line of the purlins where the roof sheet fixings are visible but this is definitely not the case since the purlins are usually quite narrow often only a few inches wide.
Asbestos cement in roofing.
Not only can this mean people fall through the roof from walking on it but the roof will more easily break from other causes such as hail or falling branches and so release asbestos fibres.
Due to its fantastic thermal qualities and being extremely fire retardant it is not surprising that asbestos was extensively used in roofing and insulation in the 20 th century.
Its the lack of warning thats caught lads out.
It s best to stay off of this surface.
The result of the test will lead you to the next step.
Cement asbestos roof shingles.
On your life please do not walk on that roof.
The simple fact is that you should never walk directly on an asbestos roof.
This can release fibers into the air.
The only way to know for sure whether your roof contains asbestos is to have a sample tested by professionals in a certified laboratory.
Most of the times asbestos roofing materials are not dangerous if not damaged and left undisturbed.
Many asbestos roofs and siding are damaged cracked or broken.
If you walk on on an asbestos roof sheet it can give way without warning leading to serious injury or even death.
The fragile nature of asbestos cement sheets means that they can give way without warning.
If fibres are contained within the structure of the roof the risk is minimised or even reduced completely.
Above all we want to stress the importance of air quality monitoring if.
Asbestos siding in particular however has a tendency to chip crack and break with normal wear and tear of family life.
It is the fall from height more than anything else that makes asbestos roofs dangerous.
Asbestos is lethal manys the man 2 i know of broke their back off one of those roofs the reason is you could walk across that roof nearly do a jig on it and be fine and then without warning you will drop through.
Advice about inspecting walking on cement asbestos or fiber cement roofs.
Accordingly if the material contains less than 1.
Walk on corrugated asbestos cement roofs if it can be avoided many people have been injured by falling through weathered asbestos cement roofs while attempting to treat or repair the roof surface leave asbestos cement products around the garden or where they may be broken.
These shingles are as fragile as slate.
Though we ve walked carefully on a few such roofs it s easy to damage them.
See our inspection advice at asbestos fiber cement roofing and our advice about.