Asbestos

 INTRODUCTION

If you own, manage or have responsibilities for a workplace building which may contain asbestos, you need to think about the risk of exposure to workers and others who may use the building. You need to be able to identify, assess and manage any asbestos materials on your premises.

ASBESTOS - THE DANGERS

Breathing in air containing asbestos dust can lead to asbestos-related diseases, primarily cancers of the chest and lungs. The number of deaths from asbestos-related diseases is expected to continue to rise from the current estimate of 3000 per year. There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases.

There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos dust and the onset of disease of between 15-60 years. Blue (crocidolite) and brown (amosite) asbestos are known to be more hazardous than white (chrysotile). In general  the more asbestos dust inhaled, the greater the risk to health. It is now thought possible that repeated low level exposures, such as could occur during routine repair work, may also lead to asbestos induced cancers.

Electricians, plumbers, building maintenance workers, shop fitters and carpenters may still be at risk when carrying out refurbishment, repairs, etc., on buildings which contain asbestos. HSE asbestos webpage

WHERE IS ASBESTOS FOUND IN BUILDINGS?

• Sprayed/loose packed asbestos - e.g. as fire breaks in ceiling voids
• Sprayed coatings and laggings - e.g. insulation of pipe work
• Sprayed asbestos & cement mixture - fire protection
• Insulating boards - fire protection, thermal insulation
• Some ceiling tiles
• Asbestos board/paper products in electrical equipment
• Asbestos cement products - roofing & wall cladding
• Certain textured coatings

Interactive building

Asbestos building

Select an area of the building using the drop down menu

In general, the materials which contain a high percentage of asbestos are more easily damaged and the above list is roughly in order of ease of fibre release.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/building.htm

MANAGING ASBESTOS

Asbestos may be present if the building was constructed or refurbished between 1950-1980 and particularly if it also has a steel frame and/or boilers with thermal insulation. If present, you will need to know the location, form, condition and type of asbestos. You might need to arrange to analyse samples of materials that

 you suspect contain asbestos. Do not break or damage such material - samples should only be taken by suitably trained people (look for UKAS or NAMAS accredited companies under 'Laboratories' or 'Analystical Research Chemists' in Yellow Pages).

Assessing the condition of asbestos materials involves considering the risk of asbestos fibres being released into the air -

• Is the material being/likely to be disturbed?
• Is the surface damaged, frayed or scratched?
• Are surface sealants peeling or breaking off?
• Is the material becoming detached from its base?
• Are protective coverings missing?
• Is there asbestos dust or debris in the immediate surrounding area?

Deciding what to do depends on the condition and type of the material -

a) Good condition/not likely to be damaged/not likely to be worked on ….. Safest to leave the material in place and introduce a management system.

 For this to be effective the owner/occupier of the premises must be in a position to exercise control over access by workers, contractors etc. and be able prepared to exercise that control.

b) Poor condition/likely to be damaged or disturbed ….. Need to repair, seal, enclose or remove. Taking action offers a number of options.

Asbestos left in place

• If it is in good condition establish an asbestos management system i.e.
• keep records and/or a register of where the asbestos is; label Periodic
• materials with warning signs or colour Inspection is coding so that those who
• need to know are required to alerted to its presence ensure the condition.
• Damaged materials can be repaired and either of the material sealed or enclosed
• to prevent further damage has not You will still need to label etc. such areas as changed part of an asbestos management system.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/gallery.htm

Removal of Asbestos

This should take place where dust release is likely, repair or protection is not practicable or where the material is likely to be disturbed during routine maintenance work. Remember that work on asbestos insulation & lagging (including sealing & removal) must normally be done only by a contractor  licensed by the HSE.

DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS

Asbestos waste should be double-bagged in heavy duty polythene bags and clearly labelled with the prescribed label before it is transported to an appropriately licensed disposal site.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 require employers to prevent the exposure of employees to asbestos. If this is not reasonably practicable, exposure should be controlled to the lowest possible level. Assessment of likely exposure is required before any work with asbestos is carried out - if you use a

contractor make sure this has been done and that work practices to reduce exposures have been specified.

The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 require that a contractor doing more than two hours work with asbestos lagging or coating must be licensed. It is recommended that a licensed contractor is used regardless of the length of time thejob is likely to take.

WHAT YOU SHOULD TELL YOUR WORKERS/CONTRACTORS

Details about any asbestos materials (location, type etc.), and make them aware of any asbestos register. Referral of any enquiries, etc., should be to an appropriate nominated person identified in the management system.

Precautions to be taken if necessary, i.e. -

1. Never strip out asbestos insulation - the law requires a specialist contractor to do this to strict rules.
2. Where minor work on materials containing asbestos (e.g. asbestos cement) is to be carried out by workers/contractors, make sure that they know they are working with asbestos and what precautions they should take e.g.

• keep all unnecessary personnel out of the work area
• take care not to create dust
• keep the material wet whenever possible
• wear a suitable respirator and protective clothing
• clean up with a type 'H' vacuum cleaner
• not to break up large pieces of asbestos materials
• not to use power tools
• not to expose unprotected workers
• not to take protective clothing home to wash.

CHECKLIST - ASBESTOS

REFERENCES/FURTHER DETAILS

1. The Control of Asbestos at Work: Approved Code of Practice L27 1993 HSE - ISBN 0 11 882037 0

2. Work with asbestos insulation etc. - Approved Code of Practice L28 ISBN 0 11 882038 9 (HSE)

3. Asbestos Materials in Buildings - Dept of the Environment (HMSO)

ISBN 0 11752370 4
4. Guide to regulations on the control of asbestos at work (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd., Forkes House, Halkin Street, London SW1X 7DS - Tel: 0171 235 7005.

5. Asbestos essentials: Task Manual HSG 210 ISBN 0 7176 1887 0
6. Introduction to Asbestos essentials HSG 213 ISBN 0 7176 1901 X
7. MDHS 100 ISBN 0 7176 2076 X

8. Managing asbestos your new legal duties:

9. HSE Books:

10. List of Asbestos license holders:

For further information please call (023) 9254 5505, 5506 or 5507 during office hours or call at the Town Hall, High Street, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1EB.

Alternatively e-mail ehs@gosport.gov.ukany time