You might already be aware of the importance of removing asbestos from a site before beginning building works. However, with over 2,000 asbestos related deaths a year it's always worth reiterating.

Asbestos was a popular building material many years ago due to its sturdy, fireproof nature. However, it soon became apparent that the fibres that make up asbestos were poisonous to the human body and worse still could be inhaled easily. These poisonous fibres often result in fatal conditions as they shut down the circulatory system. It took a while to realise this as it can take up to 10 years before any side effects start to show and there is no way to detect it beforehand.

As a result, many buildings nowadays still have asbestos within them. In its uninterrupted state asbestos shouldn't pose a threat, but when disturbed the fibres can become airborne. That's why it's absolutely essential that buildings are searched for asbestos and it is removed safely before any building or construction work takes place.

It's also advisable to let a professional take care of the work to remove asbestos from a building due to the need for specialised protective gear and an expert eye to ensure all asbestos is eliminated from the structure.