Is the indoor horse barn asbestos likely to cause a problem?

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micra

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Been at my new yard for a few months and I assumed the big agricultural barn with all the stables in was just metal. Then I realised that they were more like board to knock on inside, the whole barn is asbestos. The internal stables have wood and bars and then a gap to the wall, and the roof is very high and good condition. The yard had been there for about 40 years, was a vegetable storage barn before. No ventilation except a small window up the top and hay is stored in there too but it's a airy barn and doesn't smell either.

I hear so much about asbestos and I think I have a problem with worrying about my horses now 😂 Some of it is cracked on the sides but it's been like it for a while - I have trouble with my lungs so wondering if it would cause an issue, or not really seeing as I doubt the walls will break?
Thanks !
 
Asbestos untouched and in good condition is fine but I would want to see an asbestos survey carried out on the property and take advise from the professionals. We have asbestos (a lot) at our business park. We have surveys on all our buildings and if we are developing or demolishing any of them they are all done with the correct professionals for removal and disposal.

I would be concerned if it was in poor condition but you have about 4 types (of the top of my head) of asbestos, some are worse than others. If they are the roof sheets I should imagine they are none notifiable ... but still not good if broken!

Edited to add ... knowing the date it was built would be a good start as it might be too young to be asbestos built!
 
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Cement-bound asbestos (usually in corrugated boards, used for wall cladding and roofing) shouldn't be a problem at all - it's the free, fluffy, insulation type asbestos that you should avoid. Asbestos is most hazardous when the individual fibres are airborne and can be inhaled, so if any of the cement-bound board is cut or broken up, then you should ask for it to be removed and wear a mask etc.

If you are worried, call the Council and ask to speak with someone from Environmental Health.
 
I used to work with an asbestos surveyor, and I think the answer is that as long as it is in good condition with no frayed bits and as long as nobody cuts or drills it then you should be fine. However, fibres do become airborne if the asbestos is damaged in any way, or if anyone cuts, drills, sands it, etc. To be on the safe side and to set your mind at rest, you could try asking the owner to get a survey done. It shouldn't cost too much, and I think I am right in saying that if you are paying to keep your horse there and especially if they have any employees (which would make to yard a workplace), then under the asbestos control regulations they have to have a survey and report done anyway. If removal is recommended then the work can only be carried out by a licensed contractor who will have all the necessary PPE, isolation and wash down equipment. They will also dispose of it correctly. Another alternative is to encapsulate it, again a job for a licensed contractor.

Mesothelioma which is the type of lung cancer that asbestos fibres cause usually takes years to develop, but if you are really worried, I would say to your GP.
 
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micra said:
Been at my new yard for a few months and I assumed the big agricultural barn with all the stables in was just metal. Then I realised that they were more like board to knock on inside, the whole barn is asbestos. The internal stables have wood and bars and then a gap to the wall, and the roof is very high and good condition. The yard had been there for about 40 years, was a vegetable storage barn before. No ventilation except a small window up the top and hay is stored in there too but it's a airy barn and doesn't smell either.

I hear so much about asbestos and I think I have a problem with worrying about my horses now �� Some of it is cracked on the sides but it's been like it for a while - I have trouble with my lungs so wondering if it would cause an issue, or not really seeing as I doubt the walls will break?
Thanks !
Click to expand...

we have it on some of the stables no problem
 
Antw23uk said:
Asbestos untouched and in good condition is fine but I would want to see an asbestos survey carried out on the property and take advise from the professionals. We have asbestos (a lot) at our business park. We have surveys on all our buildings and if we are developing or demolishing any of them they are all done with the correct professionals for removal and disposal.

I would be concerned if it was in poor condition but you have about 4 types (of the top of my head) of asbestos, some are worse than others. If they are the roof sheets I should imagine they are none notifiable ... but still not good if broken!

Edited to add ... knowing the date it was built would be a good start as it might be too young to be asbestos built!
Click to expand...

That is right and there is also the cement roofing which looks like asbestos but it isn't, we had out school tested when the last storm took the shed roof off and smashed into the side, but turned out out not to be asbestos. They replaced it with the cement type which is thinner.
 
Is your concern about it affecting humans or the horses? I would not expect any horse to develop the any of the health related complications of asbestos as they don't live as long as us.
I don't know what the legislation is if this isn't a workplace but I suspect as customers are using it the same rules will apply re. having a survey done and managing it.
 
When the farm where I worked was sold there was an asbestos survey done and the report said that the asbestos sheeting on the barns and down pipes didn't cause any concern so long as they remained intact and no one tried cutting them!

There was some blue asbestos found in the farmhouse which caused huge concern and was removed by a specialist company.

Several years before we had a fire in a straw barn with an asbestos roof and all the little flakes of asbestos that spread out from the barn were collected up by a professional team.
 
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