Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It was widely used as a building material in the UK before 1999.
When asbestos fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases. They cause around 4500 deaths a year. Asbestos is known as the greatest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK.
Some of the items where asbestos could be found include:
- pipe lagging
- corrugated cement sheeting
- floor tiles
- insulation board
- fire doors
- textured coatings
- brake pads
- gaskets
Please note this list isn't complete. Asbestos could be in many materials before 1999.
Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) aren't usually dangerous unless disturbed. You shouldn't attempt to remove ACMs yourself. Seek specialist advice first.
If you think asbestos has been disposed of illegally by fly-tipping, you can contact the Community Safety and Enforcement Team. Their phone number is 01226 773555. You can also use our online form to report fly-tipping.
If you live in a rented property and have concerns that it may be affected by asbestos, please email housingenforcement@barnsley.gov.uk. You can also phone 01226 773555.
If you think there's asbestos in your work place, contact either our health and safety team or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Who to contact depends on your main work activity. Please check the relevant authority first for your type of workplace:
- for work activities enforced by the HSE please contact them on 0845 300 9923. You can also visit the HSE website
- contact our health and safety team
If you have concerns about asbestos in your own home you can find advice on the HSE website.
If you have waste that you think may contain asbestos, you can get advice on where to properly dispose of it. Contact us on 01226 773555.
You may remove ACMs from your own home, providing you dispose of the asbestos in the right way. We strongly advise you to use a licensed expert to carry out any work with asbestos you may have. You can find a list of accredited asbestos removal companies. They're approved by the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association.