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Asbestos in Fuses

R J

We have recently had asbestos survey reports return with presumed asbestos as the fuse cartridge. With the reasoning being that some fuses contain asbestos as part of the cartridge filling.

I‘m aware of flash guards and asbestos rope, but I can’t find any guidance for the fuse cartridges being asbestos?

granted some of the old fuses may have had cross contamination from old flash guards. But I’m concerned with the presumption aspect of the report, and what confusion it may cause going forward.

  • 0 in reply to kfh

    Yes, but it probably killed them from asbestosis rather than mesothelioma. In a similar way, coal miners got silicosis. Smoking didn't help either. 

    There was a very small amount of H&S legislation earlier, but attitudes began to change after WWII. Let's not forget that the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act was passed as late as 1974.

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    Just received an asbestos report back from sampling a variety of fuses. Essentially fuses made to the BS88:1975 standard or earlier contained asbestos (a few spurious exceptions).

    Were as Fuses made to BS88:1988 and after had no asbestos detected. 

    Asbestos identified in the millboard (Chrysotile).

  • 0 in reply to R J

    Even if asbestos would be detected in its 'rather-safe' form (Chrysotile) in sealed fuses, the exposure is eliminated. 
    Dealing with fuses is many orders of magnitude safer than skin contact, using cosmetics with asbestos present in cosmetic talc.   

  • 0 in reply to Tom Kawala

    Never said the fuses aren't safe to handle, purely bringing to attention the potential hazard if they become damaged and to dispose of them correctly.

    I don't use cosmetics

    Cheers

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