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#1 Posted : 04 November 2004 13:15:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Baynes Hi, can anyone help? I've discovered we have two small (bench top) muffle furnaces clad in untreated Asbestolite or Syndanyo board - same product, different brand names. They probably date back to the early seventies. I have been in touch with the manufacturer who confirmed the product used but was unable to offer any other help. My problem is: can we still use them or should they be withdrawn from service and disposed of? The board is hard, not likely to give off fibres but does come into accidental contact with metal objects. It does not seem feasible to treat the surfaces to encapsulate the asbestos.
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#2 Posted : 04 November 2004 14:19:00(UTC)
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Posted By Thomas Kennedy Get yourself a copy of HSG227 and follow the guidance on undertaking material and priority risk assessments.
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#3 Posted : 04 November 2004 14:23:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter Bob If the asbestos materials are in good condition, there is no need to remove them but you will need to formulate a management plan to minimise the risks to your employees and anyone else who may work in the area. You say that encapsulation is not feasible; what about painting them? Paul
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#4 Posted : 04 November 2004 16:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Baynes Thanks for the responses. These furnaces are used to heat metal specimens at various temperatures up to white hot. I could paint them but the heat emitted from the open door would certainly scorch and remove it in that vicinity the first time they were used. If I can't treat them so all the surface is made safe I feel it would be a bit pointless. I am not sure other parts of the case do not reach a sufficient temperature to degrade any paint anyway. The cure may be worse than the disease, in the short term at least. Modern versions seem to be steel clad with probably superior insulation. I am inclined to scrap them but this will not be popular, as replacements will probably not be forthcoming.
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