Asbestos safety

Staying safe from asbestos

All landlords have a responsibility to tenants and their visitors, contractors, and staff, to manage the risk of exposure to asbestos. We take this responsibility very seriously. One Manchester are committed to making sure that all materials containing asbestos in our properties are safe. Please read this leaflet carefully, and call us on: 0330 355 1000, if you have any problems or queries.

What is asbestos?

Our building safety resident engagement team work with you to engage in developing your communal buildings safely and ensuring you have all the information you require when you need it.

There are asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in commercial and domestic buildings across the UK and there could be some in your home. We conduct regular surveys as part of our commitment to providing a safe place to live and work for our communities.

What do I need to do?

If you suspect any materials that could contain asbestos are damaged, please contact us to report your concerns. If you suspect any materials in your property contain asbestos but they are in good condition, then the best thing to do is leave them as they are. If you are contacted a member of our team to undertake a survey of your property, please agree a convenient date and time. If you think asbestos is in your home, or if you want to make any improvements to your home, please contact us via email at: asbestos@onemanchester.co.uk or call us on 0330 355 1000.

Why might asbestos be a problem?

Asbestos is not dangerous itself. It only becomes dangerous if materials containing asbestos are damaged or deteriorate with age. When damaged, asbestos releases tiny fibres into the air and breathing in high levels of these fibres may cause damage to your health. Over the years it has been used in a wide range of building materials and products. Don’t take risks – seek advice if you think asbestos may be present. It is very unlikely that the levels of asbestos-containing materials in your home will be harmful, but you must seek advice on what action to take if you think asbestos is present.

How do you know if a material contains asbestos?

It is not always easy to tell whether a product in your home contains asbestos as modern asbestos-free materials often look similar – it is usually older products that contain asbestos. The use of asbestos in most products has been banned since 1999.

DIY or improvement work

The greatest risk arises when asbestos materials are damaged or drilled, cut, sawn, scrubbed or sanded as DIY work can result in exposure to asbestos. Please remember under your tenancy agreement with One Manchester, if you wish to carry out improvements to your home, you MUST obtain written permission from us before starting any work. Failure to do so means that you will be totally liable for any costs resulting from dealing with an asbestos-related incident, as well as the full cost of reinstatement. 

If you think a product or material might contains Asbestos but you are unsure, don’t disturb it, get expert advice. The manufacturer or supplier should be able to help you. Alternatively, please contact us via email at: asbestos@onemanchester.co.uk or call us on 0330 355 1000.

Two people doing building work wearing high vis and builders hats.

Where might you find asbestos in your home?

The following are examples of areas and appliances where asbestos may be found:

  • Insulation panels e.g. panels for boxing in pipes or heating systems
  • Some ceiling tiles
  • Eaves/soffits (roof overhang) 
  • Corrugated cement sheeting (usually found on sheds or garages)
  • Flue pipe to boilers or fires
  • Electric storage heaters manufactured before 1976
  • Some decorative textured coatings (commonly known as Artex).
  • Vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles
  • Rainwater pipes and gutters
  • Domestic equipment (e.g. ironing boards and oven gloves)
  • Outhouses, sheds, garages, or loose pieces in the garden. 

The above is not an exhaustive list of all possible locations of asbestos materials.

Our commitment to asbestos safety

One Manchester undertake regular surveys to all our communal and public areas in accordance with The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR12) which requires us to record, monitor and manage the risk from Asbestos. Also, if asbestos materials are found during any work to your home, the material will be inspected. If necessary, it will then be removed and disposed of in a safe way. One Manchester carries out surveys before refurbishment type works are undertaken, we also keep an asbestos register where any identified asbestos is recorded so it can be effectively managed.

Asbestos safety tips

  • Treat asbestos with respect
  • Remember asbestos can be hazardous to health if disturbed
  • Check out further information about ‘Managing Asbestos’, on the HSE Website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos
  • DON’T panic if you think you have asbestos in your home – it’s usually only a problem if it’s disturbed
  • DON’T panic if you think you have asbestos in your home – it’s usually only a problem if it’s disturbed
  • Don’t drill, sand, saw or disturb any asbestos containing materials which are in good condition
  • DON’T carry out any DIY work or ALTERATIONS on any part of your home which you think may contain asbestos
  • DON’T try to remove textured coatings (Artex) from ceilings and walls
  • DON’T try to remove old floor tiles or linoleum. Leave them in place and lay new floor coverings over them
  • DON’T throw asbestos away in the rubbish