Key terms
Asbestos awareness: key terms
Plain-English definitions of the words used in the course. In the lessons, tap any underlined term to read its definition without leaving the page.
This course follows United Kingdom law only.
12 terms, United Kingdom version
- AIB
- Asbestos insulating board, used in ceiling tiles, partitions, panels and ducts. Releases fibres easily when disturbed.
- Amosite
- Brown asbestos. Banned in the UK in 1985.
- Asbestos
- A natural fibrous mineral widely used in buildings until 1999. Its fibres can cause cancer and lung disease.
- Asbestos register
- A record of where asbestos is in a building and its condition.
- Asbestosis
- Scarring of the lungs caused by asbestos, leading to breathlessness.
- Chrysotile
- White asbestos, the most common type used in the UK. Banned in 1999.
- Crocidolite
- Blue asbestos. Banned in the UK in 1985.
- Duty to manage
- The legal duty (regulation 4) to find and manage asbestos in non-domestic premises.
- Licensed work
- The highest-risk asbestos work, which only HSE-licensed contractors may do.
- Mesothelioma
- A cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen caused by asbestos. Almost always fatal.
- NNLW
- Lower-risk asbestos work that must be notified, with health checks and records.
- Refurbishment and demolition survey
- An intrusive survey to find all asbestos before refurbishment or demolition work.
These terms come from the United Kingdom version of the course. See what the course covers.