A Great start for Oxford

Founded by Alfred the Great, Oxford has been a settlement since the 8th century. The county of Oxfordshire was then formed early in the 10th century. Next, the University of Oxford was founded (1096) with its collegiate structure developing later.

Surrounded by agricultural land, the area was part of the Cotswolds wool trade from the 13th century. Its location — on the River Thames and 60-70 miles from major ports in Bristol, Southampton and London — held considerable potential for industrial growth. This took place across the county in the early 20th century.

With the Morris Motors plant opening in 1912 and the Pressed Steel Company following in 1933, Oxford became a focus for motor manufacturing. The printing and publishing industries thrived alongside Oxfordshire’s car and steel plants to the southeast.

Where is asbestos found in old homes and industrial properties?

Although very few of Oxfordshire’s old industrial businesses remain operational, they not only form part of the area’s history but leave an asbestos legacy. Dangerous asbestos fibres are found in many of the original buildings that are still in use today.

When these factories and workshops were built, asbestos building materials were an attractive choice. Not only were they cheap to produce but they were strong and fire-resistant. This useful but deadly product found its way into many building materials such as:

• Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) — for ceiling tiles, partition walls and panels in fire doors
• Asbestos lagging — on boilers and pipes
• Asbestos cement sheets for roofing
• Asbestos floor tiles
• Asbestos loose-fill insulation
• Asbestos seals and gaskets
• Asbestos sprayed/textured coatings — for ceilings and walls

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) can be found in any UK building that was built or refurbished before 2000, as its use was fully banned in 1999. It’s not known exactly how much asbestos remains present in industrial, commercial and residential properties or our educational buildings and healthcare facilities.

More information about the different manifestations of asbestos and its uses can be found on the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) website. We used this information to inspire our Oxford Asbestos Surveys Keep Our Communities Safe article as well as our Where You Might Find Asbestos in Your Home and Where You Might Find Asbestos in Commercial & Industrial Buildings videos.

What does this mean for the people of Oxfordshire?

Because Oxfordshire has an industrial history, and a broad range of building types, it’s likely that a significant number of them still contain ACMs. This is where asbestos surveys in Oxfordshire become so important to maintain health and safety.

The health risks associated with asbestos exposure can’t be ignored. It’s estimated that at least 5,000 people die from asbestos-related illnesses each year in the UK. Asbestos-associated illness is our country’s single greatest cause of workplace death too. You can find the latest health and safety statistics on asbestos exposure and work-related illness via the HSE.

We need to protect people living or working in buildings that could be contaminated with asbestos. It’s essential an asbestos survey is carried out to identify asbestos within a structure before any work, which might disturb building materials, starts. These works include everything from everyday maintenance to major renovations.

Are you worried about the quality of your Oxfordshire asbestos survey? You can rest assured that RJS Waste Management is an ISO 9001-accredited company. Also, our  British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) P402-certified surveyors carry out all asbestos surveys in accordance with HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide (2012) and HSG248 Asbestos: The Analysts’ Guide for Sampling, Analysis and Clearance Procedures.

Our Oxfordshire asbestos survey services

Are you planning to carry out work, which may disturb the fabric of a building that predates the asbestos ban? Contact us for a free asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey quote.

Do you have duty to manage responsibilities for people working on premises, which may contain asbestos? Contact us for a free quote for an asbestos management survey or asbestos reinspection survey.

We not only provide Oxfordshire asbestos surveys but we’re also qualified and fully insured to carry out safe and professional asbestos removal, asbestos collections and asbestos disposal services throughout southeast England. You may be interested in our reinstatement works too.

Contact RJS Waste Management today to find out more.