Exposed to asbestos in the workplace, what next?

[ThePoshUns]

I have just found out that an office where I worked about 2 years ago had asbestos in the ceiling.
There was a hole in the ceiling, and my workplace knew there was asbestos there but did nothing about it, and allowed us to continue working in that office without informing us about it
I am so annoyed about this, I look after my health and if I had known at the time I’d have kicked up a fuss.
I still work for the organisation in another role and building.
I only found out from a colleague.
AIBU to take this further !

What is there to take further? There’s no issue with asbestos if it’s undisturbed?

Were you exposed? If it’s undisturbed and enclosed then asbestos is safe - a hole in the ceiling doesn’t prove anything. If you have experienced symptoms then it could be worth taking further - but not off the back of second hand information.

if there was a hole in the ceiling? A large one is there any danger there? I feel angry that I have been put in that position and only by chance have been made aware of it

There were regularly bits flaking off the ceiling

Honestly it sounds fine, not ideal but I’m sure it’s ok. Plus your compensation would be based on your losses related to health - you’d 1) need a health issue 2) prove it’s due to asbestos and 3) what value you place on that.

sounds like you’re fine. You could complain about the issue and see what they respond / fault admitted, and if you suffer any consequences in the future you have evidence.

Ehatbdonyou mean by in the curling? Do you mean ceiling tiles, or in the plaster, or in other materials?

I’m not looking for compensation, I am cross that I wasn’t informed about it. Also I want to know if it’s been recorded in case I were to become ill later down the line. I am going to speak to my union and see what they advise.

It was ceiling tiles. They were crumbling, there were holes in the ceiling, water would come in. It was pretty grim.

Were the bits flaking off asbestos

there should be an asbestos register for your build so that would tell you where asbestos is

for example if there was asbestos clad pipes all in tact and undisturbed in a suspended ceiling but there was a hole in the ceiling tiles I don’t think that would be classed as exposure

Crumbling asbestos is a risk report it and get it logged

It is likely that tbe ceilings tiles contained the asbestos. If these were broken and crumbling then yes, there is a vert real risk of exposure. OP should absolutely report this.

This office has since been closed and condemned. The asbestos was known about by facilities team but they took no action and didn’t tell us. Thanks all am going to speak to the union.

Yes, they have failed in tbeir duty to protect employees. There should have been an asbestos register and any areas that were known to have asbestos or to be at high risk should have been identified.

Nonsense. The employer did not take measures to protect the employee. You dont know that OP is fine. Conditions relating to asbestos exposer can take decades to show. There are many cases where employees were exposed 30 years ago now coming to light and going to court.

I would certainly want to log it somewhere, as you say in case you have health related costs later that the NHS doesn't cover / time off work etc. Hopefully your union can advise how you can store a record with proof that there was asbestos flaking onto you, and that the company knew.

How long did you work there inhaling the asbestos? Asbestos exposure carries low risk with short term exposure. Long term heavy exposure (demolition work without protection) carries the high risk.

About a year @SmaugTheMagnificent.
Thank you everyone for your advice

You can't claim anything or do anything because you don't have any asbestos related illnesses. If you did then you could sue them I presume.

But lots of buildings do have it and it's not always making people sick. There are several types of it and it's usually builders and stuff that inhale it when they're breaking it down.

If you read my post @BillieWiper I am not claiming anything. I would just like it recorded properly in case I were to become ill later.

I didn't say you were but I was explaining you could if you got sick. I don't know where you can record the existence of asbestos for future reference. I guess tell the employer who you feel exposed you to it in writing.

Sorry I misread. Thank you.

I'd contact a solicitor. Check your house insurance for legal.cover. Ignore the folk saying it's nothing, that's nonsense.

Stand down, compowoman.

totally uncessary

I used to work for one of the utilities and we had a procedure to log this so if in years to come you did become ill because of this exposure you could claim

logging it is the right thing to do as for compensation that would only be relevant if you were proven to be affected by this in years to come

Ask your employer in writing, you should be made aware if there was possible exposure. I’m not sure how some people are aware and not others? Could they have accidentally missed you in a letter?