4000 BC

Asbestos used for wicks in lamps and candles. The substance was known as “asbestos”, meaning inextinguishable or unquenchable.

2000-3000 BC

Embalmed bodies of Egyptian pharaohs were wrapped in asbestos clothes to offset the ravages of time.

2500 BC

Used in Finland to strengthen clay pots.

800-900

Anecdotal evidence of Charlemagne’s table cloth being made from woven asbestos.

1000

Mediterranean’s used chrysotile from Cyprus and tremolite from upper Italy for the fabrication of cremation cloths, mats and wicks for temple lamps.

1300-1400

Marco Polo visited an asbestos mine in China in the latter half of the 13th Century. He concluded that asbestos was a stone and laid to rest the myth that asbestos was the hair of a woolly lizard.

Early 1700’s

Evidence that asbestos papers and boards were made as early as 1700 in Italy.

1712

Chrysotile mined in Russia during the reign of Peter the Great.

1724

Benjamin Franklin brought a purse made of asbestos to England. The purse is now in the Natural History Museum.

1805

Blue asbestos (crocidolite) first discovered in Orange (South Africa) and was originally named “Woolstone”.

1828

The first known US patent issued for asbestos insulating material used in steam engines.

1850

Chrysotile first discovered in Quebec, Canada at the Thedford mines.

circa 1853

Asbestos helmet and jackets worn by Parisian Fire Brigade.

1860’s

Packings and gaskets were produced, as mixtures of asbestos and organic fibrous materials.

1866

Moulded lagging material made from waterglass and asbestos.

1866

Italian asbestos industry based on tremolite asbestos dates back to 1866.

Early 1870’s

Founding of large asbestos industries in Scotland, Germany and England with the production of “asbestos boards”,

1870’s

The “modern” asbestos industry commenced in Canada and USSR, when large deposits of chrysotile were extensively exploited.

1880

The American asbestos industry is founded with the use of Italian asbestos to manufacture asbestos paper and board.

1886

Asbestos pipe lagging materials, based on 85% magnesia, were developed.

1896

First asbestos brake linings were made by Ferodo Limited in England. Made by impregnating woven asbestos brake bands with resin.

1897

Viennese physician wrote than emaciation and pulmonary problems left no doubt that (asbestos) dust inhalation was the cause.

1898

England, Lady Inspectors of factories wrote regarding the asbestos manufacturing processes “…. on account of their easily demonstrated danger to the heath of the workers, and because of ascertained cases of injury to bronchial tubes and lungs medically attributed to the employment of the sufferers”.

1899

First patent for the manufacture of asbestos cement sheet in Germany.

1900

Initially patented in 1896, first high pressure asbestos gaskets made by Klinger in Austria.

1900

Commencement of mining of anthophyllite in Finland.

1906

Asbestos brake linings manufactured in the USA.

1907

Amosite (brown asbestos) discovered in Transvaal, South Africa. The word amosite derived from an acronym of “Asbestos Mines of South Africa” from the Amosa mine.

1913

First asbestos pipes developed in Italy.

1915

Asbestos brake linings manufactured in Germany

1919

Standard corrugated sheet introduced in Australia by Hardies.

1920’s

Large asbestos companies experimented on ways of weaving asbestos. Succeeded, but chrysotile and crocidolite were the only fibres to be woven commercially. Crocidolite being almost exclusively used for manufacture of asbestos mattresses for steam trains.

1931

Asbestos industry regulations were passed in the UK to address concerns that asbestos exposure, particularly among textile factory workers led to lung damage.

1939

In the film ‘The Wizard of Oz’, the Wicked Witch of the West appeared on a broom made of asbestos.

1939-1945

Wartime paraphernalia including fireproof suits and parachute flares contained asbestos.

1945-1975

Post-war construction projects relied heavily on the use of asbestos reaching an all-time high in 1973.

1960s

Health concerns began to surface in the US and UK after studies revealed that low levels of asbestos exposure could be more dangerous than previously thought

1990s

The solid fuel boosters of the Space Shuttle are insulated with asbestos. One of the few remaining current uses.

For further advice on Asbestos contact the Asbestos Surveyors

The walkie trucks/pallet jacks are very versatile, but can be dangerous if not used properly. This equipment is designed to transport loads, unload, lift, pick, stage, and store materials or product. Workers operating walkie trucks/pallet jacks may be injured by the pallet jack rolling over feet, hands caught between the operating handle and a fixed object, and heavy loads falling onto the operators.

To safely operate this equipment, basic safety principles below must be rigorously followed. By following these guidelines, you will ensure your safety and the safety of others.

• Only pallet jack operators may operate pallet jacks.
• Do not exceed the manufacturer’s load capacity rate and read the lift capacity plate on the pallet jack if you’re unsure.
• Start and stop the pallet jack gradually to prevent the load from slipping.
• Pull manual pallet jacks and push them when going down an incline or passing close to walls or obstacles.
• If your view is obstructed, ask a spotter to assist in guiding the load.
• Stop the pallet jack if anyone gets in your way.
• Never place your feet under the pallet jack.
• Never use a second piece of equipment to push, pull, or, lift the unit.
• Move slowly when transporting an empty unit that could tip while negotiating a sharp turn.
• Always wear the required personal protective equipment.
• Keep hands, feet, and other body parts confined to the running lines of the walkie truck/pallet jack.
• Never ride on pallet jacks.

For a discussion regarding your warehouse safety please contact Veritas Consulting Safety Services on 0121 249 1281

Warehousing involves the movement of products, equipment, and materials. This must be accomplished in a safe manner, as well as protecting the product.

While loading or unloading and moving materials on hand trucks, the following safety tips should be observed:
• When loading hand trucks, keep your feet clear of the wheels.

• Do not exceed the manufacturer’s load capacity rate. (The capacity plate is located on the hand truck.)

• Place the load so that it will not slip, shift or fall, and secure it with straps if they are provided.

• For extremely bulky or pressurized items, such as gas cylinders, strap or chain the items to the hand truck.

• Tip the load slightly forward so that the tongue of the hand truck goes under the load, and then push the tongue of the hand truck all the way under the load.

• If your view is obstructed, ask a spotter to assist.

• Keep the centre of gravity as low as possible by placing heavier objects below the lighter ones.

• Push the load so that the weight will be carried by the axle and not the handles.

• Do not walk backward with the hand truck, unless going up stairs or ramps.

• When going down an incline, keep the hand truck in front of you so that it can be controlled at all times.

• Move hand trucks at a walking pace.

• Store hand trucks with the tongue under a pallet, shelf, or table.

Need further advice on Warehouse Health and Safety then please visit the Health and Safety Consultants

Come back soon for our next Warehouse safety article – Walkie Trucks and Pallet Jack use

We are proud to announce that a Birmingham based Home, Office and Oven Cleaning Services chooses Veritas Consulting as their retained Health and Safety Advisers.

This week a Birmingham Based Domestic, Commercial Cleaning Services contractor appointed Veritas Consulting as their “Competent Person” an affordable health and safety retainer service. Spring Cleaning Services Office Cleaning Services Birmingham offer a superb range of Cleaning services for Domestic and Commercial Sectors and more, much more and we are pleased to support the company.

Matthew Martin (MD) quotes: “Health and Safety is subject that traditionally we have found difficult to manage and maintain so we thought its about time that we employ professional health and safety consultants to advise and assist in our legal duties”.

Here are some of the health and safety services that we will provide;

Health and Safety Policy – Competent person – Risk assessments – Method Statements – and more.

Puzzled by health and safety then we are the consultants who can put the pieces together – get in touch on 0121 249 1281 and we will help you keep you on the right side of the law.

We are proud to announce that a Birmingham based Groundwork and demolition contractor chooses Veritas Consulting as their retained Health and Safety Advisers.

This week a Birmingham Based Groundwork and Demolition Contractor appointed Veritas Consulting as their “Competent Person” an affordable health and safety retainer service. Velcol Groundworks Contractor Birmingham offer a superb range of Groundwork services including Demolition, Excavation, Drainage and Trenching and more, much more and we are pleased to support the company for these high risk activities.

Joe Teirney (MD) quotes: “Health and Safety is subject that traditionally we have found difficult to manage and maintain so we thought its about time that we employ professional health and safety consultants to advise and assist in our legal duties”.

Here are some of the health and safety services that we will provide;

Health and Safety Policy – Competent person – Risk assessments – Method Statements – and more.

Puzzled by health and safety then we are the consultants who can put the pieces together – get in touch on 0121 249 1281 and we will help you keep you on the right side of the law.