Blog Archives
Posts with the 'Asbestos' tag
Asbestos Fines
It is sad to see that demolition of buildings without proper controls to manage asbestos is still happening. The HSE has recently taken two companies to court after an unlicensed contractor was appointed to remove 3,000 sqm of asbestos insulating board from a warehouse. A&T Roofing had been awarded the contract for the work in November 2005 by Noble Gift Packaging Ltd.
Enfield-based contractor A&T Roofing pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, and Sections 2(1) and 3(1)of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. They were fined £25,000 and ordered to pay costs of £33,844.30. Noble Gift Packaging Ltd. also pleaded guilty to breaching the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. They were fined £40,000 and were ordered to pay costs of £19,223.65.
The HSE has said that "Not everyone exposed to asbestos goes on to develop life-threatening or terminal asbestos-related conditions such as lung cancer, asbestosis or mesothelioma. However, when people do develop such conditions, it is often many years after they were exposed. All the men exposed, and their families, will have this hanging over them for the rest of their lives. The HSE will always push for the harshest penalties in such cases."...
Source: Contract Journal
Company fined £20,000 for asbestos breach
Bedford magistrates have fined a company £20,000 for exposing workers to asbestos.
Galamast Ltd, based in Bromley, Kent, was convicted last Thursday of two breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The company was carrying out a 'strip-out' of the old Littlewood's store in Bedford's Harpur Centre in March 2006 when verbal instructions were misunderstood, leading to its employees, sub contractors and health and safety inspectors being exposed to the dangerous substance.
Galamast Ltd was fined £10,000 for each breach and must also pay £16,140 in costs.
The work was being carried out on behalf of Primark which took over several Littlewood's stores during 2005/6.
The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive.
Source: Bedford Today
Peter looks to track down ex-colleagues
Peter Downing, aged 68, a life-long non-smoker from Newport Pagnell, is now in constant pain, short of breath and unable to walk long distances. He is visited weekly by a community nurse.
Mr Downing, who is married with four children, believes he developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos.
He was a 16-year old apprentice carpenter in 1955 with the firm Tranfield & Co, then of Buckingham Road, Bletchley.
For the full story, see this Milton Keynes Citizen article.
Source: Milton Keynes Citizen, 2 July 2007
Managing Asbestos in Premises
I thought that you would like to know that HSC have agreed that we should proceed with the revision of the CDM and CHSW regs. The ambitious aim is to publish a consultative document next Spring. As far as possible I want to move forward by consensus, involving as many interested parties as possible.
The high level objectives for the revision, agreed with CONIAC and endorsed by HSC, are to improve the management of risk by:
- simplifying the regulations to improve clarity and so making it easier for dutyholders to know what is expected of them;
- maximising their flexibility to fit with the vast range of contractual arrangements;
- making their focus planning and management, rather than the plan and other paperwork, to emphasise active management and minimise bureaucracy;
- strengthening the requirements regarding co-ordination and co-operation, particularly between designers and contractors to encourage more integration;
- simplifying the assessment of the competence of organisations.
If we are to make an impact and avoid the problems that have dogged CDM then the way we proceed is at least as important as the final product. I want all interested parties to feel involved and to have a real opportunity to influence the outcome. I should, therefore, appreciate it if you would use your contacts to identify opportunities for either informal discussions or presentations to meetings. I also hope to establish an internet discussion forum where we can post drafts and people can comment on them or put forward their own ideas.
Stephen Wright
HSE Construction Policy
Tel. 020 7717 6308
Source: Stephen Wright, HSE
Yorkshire Post Report on Asbestos Victims
A recent report in the Yorkshire Post makes some shocking revelations about people who have contracted mesothelioma. The Yorkshire Post report pulls together information from the HSE and the Trades Union Congress and claims 'to come just months after a Yorkshire Post investigation revealed fears over a new wave of victims, people who have had no direct or obvious contact with asbestos, but have still developed the disease because the now-banned fibre was so widely used'.
According to the Yorkshire Post, a Health and Safety Executive report reveals teachers, doctors, ambulance workers, farmers, and lawyers have all contracted mesothelioma as well as people employed in the traditional "at risk" occupations like shipbuilding and railway engineering. The rising toll from mesothelioma - almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure - includes a total of 114 teachers. Between 1980 and 1985, 15 teachers died from the disease - 11 men and four women - but between 1996 and 2000 this increased to 43.
Please see the source material on the Yorkshire Post Today website.
Source: Yorkshire Post
HSE Questionnaire
Control of Asbestos at Work Regulation 4
Duty to Manage Asbestos
The HSE is seeking the views of duty holders on progress of the new duty as part of HSE's one-year review of the operation of the new duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises.
As you may be aware the Government gave a commitment during the House of Lords debate in December 2002 to review the new duty by the end of this year, though it does not become law until 21 May 2004.
HSE has therefore prepared a short questionnaire (it will take less than 15 minutes to complete) for those who are duty holders. It is split into three main sections - awareness of asbestos, action taken or planned to identify and manage asbestos and any barriers to compliance.
As you will see from the form, they are mainly just tick box questions so that they take as little time as possible to answer.
We would want to keep the burden on duty holders as low as possible and there are various options to ensure this happens.
Fill In On Line
The questionnaire can simply be completed on HSE's website, at http://www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/asbestos/questionnaire.htm.
All completed questionnaires will need to be with HSE by 31 October 2003.
The results of the questionnaire will be used for the one-year review they will not be attributed to a particular organisation.
Please feel free to ring me to discuss any aspect of the review. Thanking you in advance for your contributions.
Owen Yorath
Asbestos Policy Adviser
020 7717 6809
Source: Owen Yorath, HSE
Briefings and Product Demonstrations
We are introducing a new series of free briefings & demonstrations about asbestos management and our software solution ToolKit CS™ Asbestos. Taking place at Leighton Buzzard, we have some dates available during the next 6 weeks and details are available on our web site or from us direct if you prefer to call us.
This is an opportunity to get to know us, our solutions and benefits to evaluate how we can help your business manage asbestos successfully, cost effectively, within the legal framework required.
Please contact us for availability and to book your place.
Seminar Dates
None available at the moment. Please contact us if you are interested in this seminar.
Agenda
- Welcome and Introductions
- Asbestos Management Regulations
- Duty Holder duties
- Requirements for surveys and inspections
- Getting it all together with reports and action plans
- Software Solutions
- Understanding the business needs
- Paper Reports, Network Issues, Web based solutions
- Demonstration of ToolKit CS™ Asbestos
- Discussions and Next Steps
Booking Details
Please contact us for availability and to book your place.
Asbestos Alert for Maintenance Workers
The main group of workers that need protection from asbestos whilst performing their duties are maintenance and installation engineers. The new Regulation 4, the Duty to Manage, in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 will require that this group of workers will have access to all the information concerning asbestos within the premises they are working on. And that applies to all buildings in the workplace - with or without asbestos.
Computers are the obvious vehicle to give anyone instant access to information. Ai Solutions have been working with their clients on a new Floor Plan Editor within their new asbestos management software that will enable this to happen.
The scenario is a simple one. The operative arrives on site, at reception, to book in. The receptionist needs a quick and effective means to give the information about any asbestos containing materials in the area where the work is to be carried out. The floor plan of the building is immediately brought up on screen together with the asbestos risk assessment scores and current status.
The major benefit of this approach is that it is instant and highly visible whilst being automatically audited within the management software.
"Working with clients to produce a system that is effective in the real world is what good management software is all about. With the Asbestos ToolKit CS™ (Compliance System) that is what we believe they get."
David Marlow
Ai Solutions Ltd
01525 850080, www.aisolutions.co.uk
Source: David Marlow, Ai Solutions Ltd
When Access To Instant Information Could Save Lives
Time is running out for the non-domestic property owners with new duties under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. With deaths exceeding 5000 per year in the UK from asbestos related diseases, the UK government have acted to protect the most at risk; maintenance workers and anyone who has the potential to disturb asbestos unknowingly.
The HSE have tried to ensure that all people responsible for non-domestic premises have time to plan and formulate their policy for managing asbestos within their buildings. This will include consultations with their employees and other potentially affected parties. The new duty will be enforceable from 21 May 2004.
Good communication has to be at the heart of the solution. Verbose reports are the least appropriate answer when the questions asked by maintenance workers are straightforward and simple. The best solutions are always the simple ones. We have brought together the best technical solutions available with some straightforward logic. ToolKit CS™ is the result. Users can search for any location within the organisation's estate, (via the Internet if necessary) review a marked up floor plan showing asbestos items, access the related asbestos data and risk assessment with a single click and produce a report in a similar fashion. And the whole process is audited so that managers can monitor who has accessed what and when. Data Exchange tools are available to link survey data from hand held devices to asbestos surveyors' databases to corporate Intranets running large database management suites. Everything is simple to use, straightforward, and available 24/7.
For more information, call 01525 850080 or www.aisolutions.co.uk
283 words
David Marlow
Managing Director Ai Solutions Ltd
Source: David Marlow, Ai Solutions Ltd
Asbestos Law Unmasked
We will shortly be announcing the agenda for our first joint seminar with Heald Solicitors in Milton Keynes to be held on 6th March 2003.
The agenda will be of interest to anyone concerned with both the legal aspects of the new asbestos management regulations and how they need to be managed.
Heald Solicitors have an established construction based team well aware of the new legal requirements; Ai Solutions have their new Asbestos ToolKit CS™ ready for installation for the management of your workplace buildings.
Please enrol now for this important - and free - event and learn how we can can help you!
SHE Editorial: New Regs - New Software
Ai Solutions Ltd have just launched their new asbestos management software called Asbestos ToolKit CS™. They will be demonstrating the new product at the SHE exhibition together with their updated market leading CDM software.
The new asbestos legislation requires that if you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for premises which may contain asbestos, you will either have:
- A legal duty to manage the risk from this material
OR - A duty to co-operate with whoever manages that risk.
Asbestos ToolKit CS™ is software for managing asbestos risk. It complies with the 2002 regulations, HSE guidance and MDHS 100 documentation.
The regulations have taken many months in development and consultation. Likewise, our software has been developed in tandem with HSE's work, following their guidance and liaison. This has allowed us to release the management solution at the same time as the legislation.
The tailor made product is designed to meet the strategy required by companies with large numbers of premises or asbestos items and to manage them using large database engines.
The use of profiling allows the product to be equally suited to many different types of user from the front desk to the surveyor to the facilities manager and CEO.
Components:
- Central database for all building records, survey records and asbestos register
- Knowledge Centre; library and updated knowledgebase
- Integrated organisation database
- Ongoing management reports and statistics for managers, engineers, surveyors and duty holders
- Costing & tasking detail for project management
- Audit trail
Ai Solutions Ltd is a registered partner with the HSE in promoting and giving training about the new legislation.
Contact Ai Solutions on 01525 850080 or www.aisolutions.co.uk.
Asbestos Campaign News - July 2002
This article is available in the following formats:
- Microsoft Word (348 kB)
Source: Brian Trevette, HSE
Asbestos Campaign News - May 2002
This article is available in the following formats:
- Microsoft Word (370 kB)
Source: Brian Trevette, HSE
Asbestos Campaign News Special
This article is available in the following formats:
- Microsoft Word (342 kB)
Source: Brian Trevette, HSE
Asbestos Campaign News - February 2002
This article is available in the following formats:
- Microsoft Word (871 kB)
Source: Brian Trevette, HSE
Asbestos Campaign News - August 2001
This article is available in the following formats:
- Microsoft Word (121 kB)
- Adobe Acrobat (PDF) (806 kB)
Source: HSE
Guidance on How To Survey Buildings for Asbestos
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on how to survey workplace premises for asbestos [containing materials] and how to record the results. "Surveying, sampling and Assessment of Asbestos Containing Materials" has been produced as a standard for people carrying out - or commissioning - asbestos surveys in buildings. The guidance (known as MDHS 100) will form an important element in HSE's overall strategy to prevent people from dying from asbestos related disease, and will complement existing guidance on asbestos.
MDHS 100 leads people through the key elements of a successful survey - locating the extend and nature of any asbestos in a building - assessing the condition of the material in order to determine whether it presents a real risk - and recording the information in a clear and easily usable form.
The guidance describes 3 different levels of survey (Types 1, 2 and 3) of varying degrees of intensity which can be carried out on a building. Some surveys may involve collecting representative samples of suspect materials for laboratory identification, whilst others may rely on studies of building plans or other information sources. To assist users of the guidance, it gives advice on which type of survey is most appropriate for particular situations.
The guidance states that anyone undertaking asbestos surveys or samples should have appropriate training and experience, and be able to demonstrate independence, impartiality and integrity. It also stresses the importance of adequate quality assurance procedures, for the individual or organisation carrying out the survey, to order to achieve consistently high standards.
MDHS contains a wealth of information about where asbestos can be found in buildings, and a number of photographs have been included to assist surveyors in carrying out their work.
Bill Macdonald, Head of HSE's Asbestos Policy Unit. Said, "Regulations due to be brought in next year will require over a million commercial buildings in the UK to be surveyed for asbestos. It is vitally important that surveys carried out are done to a recognised standard if we are to ensure that money is not wasted on poor quality surveys that do little to protect people from the deadly effects of asbestos fibres. MDHS 100 is a crucial part of the strategy to make sure that doesn't happen."
Background
Asbestos has been identified as the primary cause of occupational ill health in the second half of the twentieth century. Asbestos related diseases account for over 3,000 deaths a year in the UK and it is estimated that 50,000 have died from mesothelioma and other conditions since 1968. Around one quarter of current deaths occur in the building and maintenance trades - where people can be exposed to asbestos inadvertently when working in buildings.
The Health and Safety Commission is concerned that information on whether buildings have asbestos in them is not always being passed to those at risk. The Commission is therefore proposing a new statutory duty for those responsible for workplace buildings, to determine the presence of asbestos in their buildings, and assess and control the risk from the material. This will provide a new level of protection in building related trades and it is hoped that many thousands of lives will be saved through the operation of the proposed regulations, which will require amendment to the Control of Asbestos At Work Regulations 1987.
Although the Commission consulted widely on a new draft regulation and approved code of practice last year, it is taking the unusual step of re-consulting on a number of refinements to its original proposals as a result of important comments raised by consultees. In the meantime, HSE will be pressing ahead with a national campaign later this summer to raise awareness of the risks from asbestos in buildings.
MDHS 100 will form part of a suite of guidance material designed to underpin the new duty to manage asbestos in premises.
Copies of Surveying, sampling and Assessment of Asbestos Containing Materials, Ref MDHS 100, ISBN 0 7176 2076 X, price £18.00, can be ordered online at: http://www.hsebooks.co.uk or is available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995). HSE priced publications are also available from all good bookshops.
Public Enquiries
Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 08701-545500
or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.
Source: HSE
Asbestos Awareness Campaign
THE DUTY TO MANAGE ASBESTOS
AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Setting the Scene
Asbestos is the biggest occupational health problem ever encountered in the UK, and it is a problem that is set to get worse over the coming twenty or so years. The fifteen year plus latency period of asbestos means that positive efforts made now to reduce the effect of this killer disease will not be realised for some time. However, to do nothing is not an option.
Asbestos was used extensively in building materials in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid 1970s. Although much of this material has been removed over the years there are many thousands of tonnes of asbestos still present in buildings. Indeed, it is estimated that over 1.5 million workplace properties currently have some form of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in them. Whilst the materials remain in good condition, and are left undisturbed, they pose no risk; however, they have the potential to cause death if they are not properly managed.
Asbestos legislation has tended to deal with situations where it is known that asbestos is present in the working environment, such as the industries where asbestos was used or produced, or where it was being removed by specialist contractors. Recent changes tightened and refocused existing asbestos Regulations to make it clearer that they applied to any worker liable to be exposed to asbestos, including those in the building trades.
The Regulation
However, a vital piece of the regulatory jigsaw puzzle was missing. Time and time again maintenance workers carry out work whilst unknowingly exposing themselves to asbestos because no one is effectively addressing that risk. Hence the proposed new Regulation to manage the risks from asbestos in buildings.
Response to the Consultative Document, issued in Summer 2000, was encouraging, with overwhelming support for the introduction of the intended new duty. However, there were comments suggesting a need to reconsider certain points of detail: these include the identification of the 'duty holder' and an extension of the scope of the regulation beyond 'workplace premises'.
It is important that these two issues are fully considered in the revision of the draft regulation. With the probable need for a further public consultation exercise it is likely that the regulations will be made towards the end of 2001
One of the declared aims of the new Regulation is to reduce asbestos related fatalities by over 6,000 in the next 50 years, with the main benefits kicking in after 2015. It is realised that for this to be achieved the HSE will need to do more than just launch the Regulation; it will need to actively promote the duty and provide practical support to ensure effective implementation. It is planned for this to be encouraged through a supporting awareness campaign.
Target Audience
Although it is recognised that there are significant issues still being considered which impact on the scope of the Regulation, it is possible to identify that the task of communicating and engaging with the intended target audience, i.e. the duty holder, is not going to be an easy one.
Many of the 1.5 million workplace properties that have been assumed to be still containing ACMs are occupied by small and medium sized enterprises. It is this group that has been identified for particular attention during the campaign in terms of additional practical support.
The Message
In addition to detailing the health risks associated with asbestos, together with duty holder's responsibilities, the campaign will look to offer positive and, for some, practical advice on the effective implementation of the various elements of the regulation. This will include the means of identifying the asbestos related risk, and how to manage that risk.
Overall Strategy
HSE will deliver a three to five year campaign to support the making of the Regulation.
Year 1 of the campaign will consist of a series of conferences and workshops to promote awareness of the duty. There will be an official launch of the duty, trailed by a number of press articles and other publicity initiatives.
Year 2 of the campaign will involve inspectors (both HSE and Local Authority) carrying out a number of head office visits to significant duty holders, and a mail shot exercise designed to reach small and medium sized enterprises. Year 3 (and following years) will consist of a number of targeted visits with consequential en-forcement action.
This approach links in well with the proposed two year lead in period for the Regulation.
The campaign will incorporate an independent evaluation exercise to measure its impact on attitudes and practices, involving a baseline study and follow up at the end of the 3 year period.
The remainder of this Information Sheet concentrates on the activities planned for the first year of the campaign.
The First Year of the Campaign
Fundamentally we are looking to implement a two tier strategy for the first year of the campaign. The first level, aimed at all duty holders, is geared to raise general awareness of the new Regulation and provide written guidance on the means of complying with the duty. The second is a higher level of practical support directed specifically to meet the additional needs of the small and medium sized enterprises.
First Level - Press Campaign
A high profile event is planned for the launching of the new Regulation when it is made at the end of 2001. The aim is to stimulate wide ranging interest and support from the national press and professional journals etc. and thus promoting the message to our intended audience i.e. the duty holder. Copies of the Regulation and supporting ACoP will be made available through HSE Books.
In addition to articles appearing periodically in the technical/professional press further directed press promotions are envisaged during this first year of the campaign following the making of the Regulation. Running at six monthly intervals the message will move from promoting awareness to encouraging compliance with the Regulation.
First Level - Roadshow
An early phase of the campaign, planned for the late summer of 2001, will include a programme of five regional Asbestos Roadshows. Delivering to anticipated audiences of around 200 key organisations, each event will promote the requirements of the new duty to manage asbestos and provide supporting advice on compliance with its varying elements.
First Level - Guidance Material
This awareness element of the campaign to be underpinned by the availability of related guidance material i.e. a free leaflet on the duty to manage asbestos, technical guidance for practitioners such as MDHS 100 and Asbestos Essentials, and the video 'How Are You Today?' aimed at both the contractor and the duty holder.
Much of the information is to be made available via the intended HSE 'Asbestos Campaign' Internet site.
Second Level - Targeted Activities
Moving on to the second level of the strategy i.e. the more targeted activity, we need to remind ourselves of the size of the task ahead of us. The intention of this element of the campaign is to provide practical support to the small and medium sized enterprises. We identified earlier that we must be talking of an audience size in its millions. It would be impossible to consider HSE delivering practical support to even a very small fraction of that number without the involvement of others. We are therefore looking to engage partners to cascade the HSE messages and to provide practical advice to the intended audience.
So, a key task in ensuring the successful implementation of the campaign is to identify and engage a team of intermediaries to support HSE. This 'identification' programme will be progressed on both the 'informal' and 'formal' levels. The more 'formal' activities include articles in professional journals and in-house newsletters. One of the aims of the Roadshow events is infact to encourage delegates to become 'intermediaries'.
The establishment of the 'partnership' network will trigger the start, in Autumn 2001, of the intended programme of Employer Workshops throughout the UK, providing practical support to the small and medium enterprises. The number of Workshops will be determined by the capacity of those within our 'partnership' network, and the programme is expected to continue during much of the year following the introduction of the Regulation; I am sure that there will be no shortage of demand from the prospective target audience.
Initiatives Supporting the Delivery of the Workshops
In addition to the guidance material mentioned earlier, some of which is still under development, we are actively engaged in developing a Presenter's Pack and associated Workbook for use by the intermediaries in the delivery of the Employer's Workshops. It is intended that the video 'How Are You Today?' will also be included as part of the Presenter's Pack.
The Role of our Partners
Although still in the early stages of development the following offers an indication of our thinking in terms of the role of our 'partners' in the delivery of the employer workshops:
- picking up the financial risk for the events the 'partners' shall set an appropriate delegate fee
- need to arrange a suitable venue, including the provision for appropriate refreshments, working on an attendance of up to 25 delegates,
- development of the presentation material based on prepared speakers notes supplied by HSE (see more) arrangements for the use of guest speakers where appropriate
- local promotion of the workshop(s)
- delivery of the workshop(s)
In support of our 'partners' activities HSE is currently arranging for the following:
- a set of speaker's notes, including a supporting Power Point presentation
- delegate workbook (four ring binder) to include standard handouts based on the 'speakers notes' plus material for suggested written exercises
- copy of the video 'How are You Today?', which is to be an integral part of the presentation
- copy of the free leaflet 'Managing Asbestos in Premises' (a working title)
It is intended that the 'speaker's notes' and the material forming the 'delegate workbook' shall be available via HSE's web site, whilst the remaining material shall be delivered on request to our 'partners'.
Conclusion
A final thought. The numbers of those dying from asbestos related diseases is rising and will continue to rise for some years. How soon the curve flattens off, and how steep the curve down will be, depends largely on the extent to which the duty holders are compliant with the regulation and on their effectiveness at managing the identified risks from asbestos-containing materials in buildings.
We need your support. To participate as a member of the proposed 'partnership' network contact BRIAN TREVETTE, HSE's Campaign Manager, on 020 7717 6443. Brian will be only too keen to speak with you.
This article is also available in the following formats:
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Source: Brian Trevette, HSE
Asbestos Dust Kills
Guidance for employees on wearing respiratory protective equipment for work with asbestos
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos-related diseases. These are mainly cancers of the chest and lungs and they kill more people than any other single work-related cause. There is a long delay between first exposure to asbestos and the start of disease. This can vary between 15 and 60 years. The vast majority of people now dying from asbestos-related diseases were exposed to asbestos during 1950s and 1960s. But of course people in the asbestos stripping industry still work with it today. Workers in the building maintenance and refurbishment trade may also come across it frequently.
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 (amended 1992 and 1999) require your employer - and self-employed workers - to do all they reasonably can to prevent, or, where this is not possible, to keep to a minimum, employees' exposure to asbestos.
How much asbestos would I need to breathe in to develop an asbestos-related disease?
Nobody knows. But we do know the more asbestos fibres you breathe in, the greater the risk to your health. That is why it is important that everyone who works with asbestos should take the strictest precautions to reduce the amount of asbestos fibres in the workplace. In many situations you will also need to use respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
What is RPE?
RPE is the name given to various face masks, hoods and helmets which you can wear to protect your lungs from asbestos.
When do I need to wear RPE?
The law requires that your employer must try to prevent your exposure to asbestos. If this is not possible, they must reduce your exposure to asbestos as far as they reasonably can. This might include wearing RPE. But your employer must always provide you with suitable RPE if you are working in an area where the amount of asbestos in the air is greater than the control limits laid down in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations. The RPE should reduce the asbestos you breathe in to a concentration as low as is reasonably practicable and to below the control limits.
Does it matter what type of RPE I wear?
YES. The type of RPE you need will depend on the amount of asbestos in the air and the type of job you are doing. Your employer must make sure you have the right type for the work you are doing and that it fits you properly. For instance half mask dust respirators are not suitable for asbestos stripping work.
What else must my employer do?
Your employer must:
- do all they reasonably can to keep the amount of asbestos in the air to a minimum before they provide you with RPE;
- train you how to fit and use your RPE properly;
- carry out tests to make sure that your face mask fits you properly;
- make sure training is updated and that refresher training is given;
- make sure the RPE you use is in good working order, properly cleaned and looked after.
What else can I do to protect my health?
- Always use the equipment (eg a vacuum cleaner) your employer provides to reduce the amount of asbestos dust in the air.
- Always wear the RPE your employer gives you.
- Never take off your RPE in a contaminated area - not even for a minute.
- Make sure your RPE fits you properly - if it doesn't fit properly it doesn't work properly and your health and life will be put at risk.
If you have a beard, sideburns or even a visible growth of stubble or if you wear glasses, certain types of RPE may not fit you properly: the stubble, glasses etc will leave small gaps where the mask should be sealed tightly to your face. To make sure that the facepiece protects you as well as it can, your employer should make sure you have a face fit test before you you use it. If you are worried that your RPE doesn't fit you properly ask your employer or safety representative, if you have one.
- Never misuse your RPE, eg do not loosen the straps, cut parts of the face seal or make gaps in the seal to make it more comfortable.
- If you think your RPE isn't working properly, leave the contaminated area immediately and tell your employer.
- If you have not been given RPE and you think you might need it, or you are worried that you don't have the right RPE for the job, speak to your employer or safety representative. Don't take risks with your health and life.
- The risk of cancer from asbestos is higher among smokers. If you smoke, you can reduce the risk to your health by stopping.
Choosing suitable RPE is your employer's responsibility, but if you want more information on RPE, ask for our leaflet Selection of suitable respiratory protective equipment for work with asbestos, or ask your health and safety representative if there is one.
ASBESTOS DUST
KILLS
Taking off your RPE in a contaminated area puts you at risk. Don't do it - EVER.
Other Useful Information
- Asbestos alert: Workers card for building maintenance, repair and refurbishment workers INDG188p 1995 HSE Books
- Selection of suitable respiratory protective equipment for work with asbestos INDG288 1999 HSE Books
- Working with asbestos in buildings INDG289 1999 HSE Books. This leaflet is also available in priced packs of 10 ISBN 0 7176 1697 5
HSE priced and free publications are available by mail order from:
HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS
Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995
HSE priced publications are also available from good booksellers.
For other enquiries ring HSE's InfoLine Tel: 0541 545500,
or write to HSE's Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ
This leaflet is available in priced packs of 20, ISBN 0 7176 1696 7 n good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.
This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. The information is current at 4/99. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.
INDG255(rev1) 4/99 C500
>
This article is also available in the following formats:
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- Adobe Acrobat (PDF) (50 kB)
Source: HSE
Working with Asbestos in Buildings
Essential advice for workers carrying out:
- Building maintenance
- Building repair
- Building refurbishment
- Building services
Asbestos: The hidden killer! Are you at risk?
What does this leaflet tell you and who is it for?
This leaflet tells you where you are most likely to find asbestos and how to protect yourself when working with it. It will be particularly useful for anyone involved in building maintenance, repair or refurbish-ment work, for instance, plumbers, carpenters and electricians. It will also be useful to other workers, not normally associated with the building trade; for instance computer installers, cabling installers, fire alarm installers and telecommunications engineers may also disturb asbestos during their work. Safety representatives may also find this leaflet useful.
What does asbestos do?
Breathing in asbestos fibres can eventually lead to a number of diseases. These include:
- asbestosis or fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs;
- lung cancer; and
- mesothelioma, a cancer of the inner lining of the chest wall or abdominal cavity.
There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases.
It is possible that repeated low-level exposures may lead to asbestos-related diseases, although high exposure for long periods is linked more clearly to these illnesses.
Many of those suffering today from asbestos-related diseases worked in the building trades. They were carpenters, joiners, shopfitters, plumbers, electricians, gas service engineers etc. They were exposed to asbestos fibres in their day-to-day work with asbestos materials or because work with asbestos was carried out near them.
What is asbestos?
There are three main types of asbestos - chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite; they are usually called white, brown and blue asbestos respectively. However, they cannot be identified just by their colour.
Blue and brown asbestos (the two most dangerous forms) have not been imported into the UK for nearly 20 years and are now banned by law.
What are the risks from asbestos?
Asbestos-related diseases are currently responsible for about 3000 deaths a year in Britain. There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos and the first symptoms of disease. This can vary between 15 and 60 years. The vast majority of those now dying were exposed to asbestos during the 1950s and 1960s, before the current regulations were introduced.
Work with asbestos can release small fibres into the air. Breathing in these fibres can cause fatal diseases.
But provided the asbestos material is intact and in a position where it cannot be easily damaged, it will not pose a risk to health by releasing fibres into the air.
How does asbestos get into the body?
Although the body will get rid of most of the larger fibres that can enter the nose and mouth, tiny fibres can pass into the lower parts of the lung. They can stay there for years and in some cases work their way through the lung lining. The body naturally gets rid of any asbestos fibres that you might take in with food and water. Asbestos fibres cannot be absorbed through your skin.
What types of buildings are likely to contain asbestos?
Asbestos is likely to be in a building if:
- it was built or refurbished between 1950 and 1980 and particularly;
- if it also has a steel frame; and/or
- it has boilers with thermal insulation.
But you also need to bear in mind that asbestos cement has also been widely used since the 1950s.
Where is asbestos found in buildings?
The use of blue and brown asbestos has been banned since 1985, but many thousands of tonnes were used in buildings in the past. Much of this asbestos is still there and you cannot easily identify it from its appearance.
Its most common uses were:
- sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing - generally used as fire breaks in ceiling voids;
- moulded or preformed sprayed coatings and lagging - generally used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers;
- sprayed asbestos mixed with hydrated asbestos cement - generally used as fire protection in ducts, firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structural steel work;
- insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, wall partitions and ducts;
- some ceiling tiles;
- asbestos cement products, which can be compressed into flat or corrugated sheets; corrugated sheets are largely used as roofing and wall cladding; other asbestos cement products include gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks;
- Steelwork coated with asbestos spray for fire protection. The photograph also shows a section of asbestos lagged pipework. The insulation on both has been partly removed.
- A ceiling coated with asbestos spray, which has been damaged by building work.
- Typical locations where lagging might be found.
- A typical asbestos insulation board ceiling.
- A severely damaged wall partition made of asbestos insulating board.
- some reinforced plastics, mastics and sealant;
- millboard, paper and paper products used for the insulation of electrical equipment. Asbestos paper has been used as a fireproof facing on wood fibreboard;
- certain textured coatings, decorative plasters and paints;
- asbestos ropes and cloth.
So what should you do?
Any asbestos materials on site should have been identified before work starts. Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coatings and asbestos insulating board must normally be carried out by a licensed contractor. Ask 'Has the site been checked for asbestos?' If there is asbestos and you are likely to come into contact with it, get advice from those in charge before you start work. If you are in doubt about whether the material you are working with contains asbestos, STOP WORK, and find out.
If you come across any hidden or dusty materials which you suspect may contain asbestos, stop work and get advice. The person in charge of the job must find out if there is any asbestos on the site or assume that anything that looks like asbestos is asbestos. Identification of asbestos materials is not easy and you can only be sure if it has been tested by a specialist asbestos laboratory.
What should those in charge of the job do?
They must:
- decide whether or not the work needs to be carried out by a specialist asbestos removal contractor;
- assess the risk to your health from any work that you do, and decide what precautions you need to take;
- prevent your exposure to asbestos or reduce it to the lowest level possible by using suitable controls, banning the use of power tools, dampening the material, enclosing the work and using dust extraction equipment;
- give you information, instruction and training so that you know the risks and the precautions you should take;
- give you clean protective clothing to wear when you work with asbestos;
- make sure you are properly trained to use a mask (respirator) if you need one, you know how to fit it properly and that it's in good working order, clean and stored in a safe place;
- consult the health and safety representative, if there is one, about the control measures.
What can I do to protect myself?
Do:
- keep the asbestos materials damp while you work on them;
- use hand tools;
- use the personal protective equipment given to you, including a respirator (mask);
- clean up as you go, don't let waste pile up;
- clear up asbestos dust using a special 'Type H' vacuum cleaner or damp cloths;
- wash your hands and face when you take a break, and at the end of the day's work;
- put asbestos waste in suitable sealed container. You can use a heavy duty polythene bag, put it in a second bag and label it to show that it contains asbestos (remember asbestos waste needs to be taken to a licensed tip).
Don't:
- use power tools, they create more dust;
- take home overalls you have worn while working with asbestos to wash;
- eat or drink in the work area;
- smoke - the risk of cancer from asbestos is higher among smokers.
DON'T FORGET
Be alert at all times to the dangers of working with old materials that may contain asbestos. If you come across asbestos - stop work and tell your supervisor. Avoid exposure to all dust. Follow the advice in this leaflet and protect your health and that of your workmates. Encourage them to do the same.
More information
You can also find out more about working with asbestos from your safety representative, the nearest office of the Health and Safety Executive, or your Local Authority Environmental Health Department, which is listed in your telephone directory.
HSE pocket card
- Asbestos alert: Workers' card for building maintenance, repair and refurbishment workers INDG188p 1995 HSE Books
HSE priced and free publications are available by mail order from
HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS.
Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995.
HSE priced publications are also available from good booksellers.
For other enquiries ring HSE's InfoLine Tel: 0541 545500,
or write to HSE's Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ.
This leaflet is available in priced packs of 10, ISBN 0 7176 1697 5, from HSE Books.
This leaflet tells you where you are most likely to find asbestos and how to protect yourself when working with it. It will be particuarly useful for anyone involved in building maintenance, repair or refurbishment work, for instance, plumbers,carpenters and electricians. It will also be useful to other workers, not normally associated with the building trade; for instance computer installers, cabling installers, fire alarm installers and telecommunications engineers may also disturb asbestos during their work. Safety representatives may also find this leaflet useful.
This leaflet contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.
This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. The information is current at 4/99. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.
Printed and published by the Health and Safety Executive INDG289 04/99 C750
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Source: HSE
Managing Asbestos in Workplace Building
Managing asbestos in workplace buildings : the hidden killer! Are you putting others at risk?
Managing asbestos materials in workplace buildings
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. It is your job to manage that risk. A sound management strategy will help to ensure that you do not put others at risk. This guidance will help you decide how you should 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. These are mainly cancers of the chest and lungs.
Asbestos-related diseases are currently killing an estimated 3000 people a year in Great Britain. This number is expected to go on rising into the next century. There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases.
There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease. This can vary between 15-60 years. The vast majority of people now dying were exposed to asbestos during the 1950s and 1960s when the use of asbestos was widespread. But exposure is still occurring. Only by preventing these exposures now, will asbestos-related disease eventually be eradicated.
There are three main types of asbestos commonly called 'blue' (crocidolite), 'brown' (amosite) and 'white' (chrysotile). All are dangerous, but blue and brown asbestos are known to be more hazardous than white. They cannot be identified by their colour alone.
WHO IS AT RISK?
A quarter of the people now dying from asbestos-related diseases worked in the building trade. They were carpenters, joiners, electricians, shopfitters, plumbers etc. They may have breathed in asbestos dust during their day-to-day work with asbestos materials or because work with asbestos was carried out near them. Until recently it was thought that those now dying from asbestos-related diseases were exposed to large amounts of asbestos either regularly or during a single spell of work lasting from a few weeks to a few years. 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. The scientific evidence on exactly what levels of exposure cause disease is unclear. But we do know the more asbestos dust inhaled the greater the risk to health. That is why it is important that everyone who works with asbestos should take the strictest precautions.
Many buildings still contain asbestos. So electricians, plumbers, building maintenance workers, shopfitters and carpenters may still be at risk when they carry out refurbishment, repairs, or maintenance work on buildings which contain asbestos. Other workers, not normally associated with the building trade may also routinely disturb asbestos. For instance computer installers, particularly cabling installers, fire alarm installers, window blind fitters, or telecommunication engineers could also be at risk.
Asbestos will only pose a risk to health if asbestos fibres are released into the air. They form a very fine dust which is often invisible to the naked eye.
Remember - the more asbestos dust inhaled the greater the risk to health.
WHERE IS ASBESTOS FOUND IN BUILDINGS?
Thousands of tonnes of asbestos were used in buildings in the past and much of it is still in place.
You are most likely to come across asbestos in these materials:
- sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing - generally used as fire breaks in ceiling voids;
- moulded or preformed sprayed coatings and lagging - generally used in thermal insulation of pipes, boilers;
- sprayed asbestos mixed with hydrated asbestos cement - ;generally used as fire protection in ducts, firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structural steel work;
- insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning and ducts;
- some ceiling tiles;
- millboard, paper and paper products used for insulation of electrical equipment, asbestos paper has been used as a fire proof facing on wood fibre board;
- asbestos cement products, which can be compressed into flat or corrugated sheets. Corrugated sheets are largely used as roofing and wall cladding. Other asbestos cement products include gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks;
- certain textured coatings.
Some of these materials are more vulnerable to damage and more likely to give off dust. In general the materials which contain a high percentage of asbestos are more easily damaged. The list on page 5 is roughly in the order of ease of fibre release. Sprayed coatings, lagging and insulating board are more likely to contain blue or brown asbestos. Asbestos insulation and lagging can contain up to 85% asbestos and is the material most likely to give off dust, though careless work with asbestos insulating board can result in equally high fibre release. On the other hand asbestos cement contains only 10%-15% asbestos. The asbestos is tightly bound into the cement and the material will only give off dust if it is damaged or broken.
MANAGING ASBESTOS
Finding out if you have a problem - is there asbestos in the building?
Asbestos is likely to be present if:
- the building was constructed or refurbished between 1950-1980; and particularly if it also
- has a steel frame; and/or
- has boilers with thermal insulation.
What you need to know:
- the location of the asbestos;
- the form of the asbestos (lagging, ceiling tiles, partition board etc);
- the condition of the asbestos;
- and preferably the type of asbestos (blue, brown, or white).
Look at the original building plans, they might tell you if and where asbestos was used. Ask the leaseholder, or the architects if you can track them down.
You might need to arrange to analyse samples of materials that you suspect contain asbestos. Do not break or damage material which may contain asbestos in an attempt to identify it. Samples should only be taken by taken by suitably trained people. They are likely to be suitably trained if the firm they work for is accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), which was formerly known as the National Measurement Accreditation Service (NAMAS). They are generally listed in the Yellow Pages and other business directories under 'laboratories' or 'analytical research chemists'.
Assessing the condition of asbestos materials
There may be a risk of asbestos fibres being released into the air if:
- the material is being disturbed (for example if it is in a prominent position and prone to accidental damage);
- the surface of the material is damaged, frayed or scratched;
- surface sealants are peeling or breaking off;
- the material is becoming detached from its base (this is a particular problem with pipe and boiler lagging and sprayed coatings);
- protective coverings designed to protect the asbestos are missing 09;or damaged;
- there is asbestos dust or debris in the immediate surrounding area.
If any of these apply to asbestos materials in your building you will have to take action to either have it sealed, enclosed or removed.
Deciding what to do
Asbestos in good condition
If the asbestos is:
- in good condition; and
- is not likely to be damaged; and
- is not likely to be worked on;
It is safest to leave it in place and introduce a management system.
Asbestos in poor condition
If the asbestos is in poor condition or is likely to be damaged or disturbed you will need to decide whether it should be repaired, sealed, enclosed or removed. If you are unsure of the condition of the asbestos and cannot decide what action to take, seek specialist advice.
Taking action
Managing asbestos left in place
If you decide to leave asbestos that is in good condition in place, make a note of where it is, for example on your building plans or other records and keep this information up to date. Setting up a register of the location of asbestos materials in buildings is a good idea. But be aware that some hidden asbestos may still be present.
Label asbestos materials clearly with the asbestos warning sign, or use some other warning system (for example colour coding) so that those who need to know about the asbestos are effectively alerted to its presence. If you decide not to label the asbestos, you need to make sure that those who might work on the material know that it contains asbestos.
It can save time and confusion if you make a note of the location of non-asbestos material which could be mistaken for asbestos materials.
Repair and Removal
Some damaged asbestos can be made safe by repairing it and either sealing or enclosing it to prevent further damage. If you can do this safely, mark the area after you've repaired it and make sure it is on your list of asbestos locations.
If asbestos is likely to release dust and cannot be easily repaired and protected, or is likely to be disturbed during routine maintenance work remove it. Remember work on asbestos insulation and lagging, including sealing and removal, must normally be done only by a contractor licensed by HSE.
Checking what you've done
Make sure that you have an effective plan for inspecting asbestos materials left in place, including those you have sealed or enclosed, to ensure that the condition of the material has not changed. The period between inspections will depend on the type of material, its location and condition.
DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS
Asbestos waste, whether it includes small amounts of waste or large scale removal by contractors, is subject to waste management controls set out in the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980. From 1 September, these Regulations will be replaced by the 1996 Special Waste Regulations. Asbestos waste should be double-bagged in heavy duty polythene bags and clearly labelled with the label prescribed for asbestos before it is transported to the disposal site. The waste can only be disposed of at a site licensed to receive it.
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 the law says their exposure should be controlled to the lowest possible level. Before any work with asbestos is carried out, the Regulations require employers to make an assessment of the likely exposure of employees to asbestos dust. The assessment should include a description of the precautions which are to be taken to control dust release and to protect workers and others who may be affected by that work. If you are employing a contractor to work in your building make sure that either the work will not lead to asbestos exposures or that they have carried out this assessment and identified work practices to reduce exposures.
The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 require that a contractor doing more than two hours work with asbestos lagging or asbestos coating must be licensed. But in view of the high risk associated with these materials HSE recommends that you use a licensed contractor regardless of the length of time the job is likely to take. You will able to get a list of HSE licensed contractors from your local HSE area office. (HSE offices are listed in the phone book.)
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 require the client to provide the planning supervisor with information about the project which is relevant to health and safety. This information might, for instance, include previous surveys of the building for asbestos. Not all projects come within the scope of these Regulations. For more information see the CDM Regulations leaflet.
WHAT YOU SHOULD TELL YOUR WORKERS/CONTRACTORS
Make sure that employees involved in building maintenance work and any contractors working on the premises know that the building contains or may contain asbestos, its type and location, and make sure they know the risks to their health if they disturb it. Make them aware of the asbestos register if you have one and the possibility of coming across hidden asbestos materials which might not be recorded on the register.
If workers/contractors do have to work on materials containing asbestos you must make sure that they know they are working with asbestos and what precautions they should take.
Make sure that they do:
- 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 vacuum cleaner which complies with BS 5415 (Type 'H').
Make sure they don't:
- break up large pieces of asbestos materials;
- use power tools - they create more dust;
- expose other workers who are not protected;
- take protective clothing home to wash.
Make sure workers and contractors know when they need to call in a specialist contractor licensed by HSE.
SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES
It is your duty to ensure the health and safety at work of your employees. They will often be able and willing to help you develop measures to do this. So it makes sense to consult them and find ways in which you and they can co-operate on health and safety.
If safety representatives have been appointed under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977, you must consult them on health and safety matters. The Regulations also require you to give them access to information relevant to the health and safety of the workers they represent, including any relating to potentially hazardous conditions.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
HSE publications
- Asbestos Alert - A Workers Information Card for building, maintenance, repair and refurbishment workers IND(G)188(P) 1995
- Asbestos Dust - The Hidden Killer: Essential advice for building maintenance, repair and refurbishment workers IND(G)187(L) 1995
- CDM Regulations: How the Regulations affect you! PML 54 1995
- Construction Information Sheet No 39 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994: The role of the client
- The Control of Asbestos at Work: Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 Approved Code of Practice L27 1993 ISBN 0 11 882037 0
- Work with Asbestos Insulation, Asbestos Coating and Asbestos Insulating Board: Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 Approved Code of Practice L28 1993 ISBN 0 11 882038 9
- Guidance on work with asbestos cement and asbestos insulating board is in preparation.
Department of Environment publications
- Asbestos Materials in Buildings 1991 ISBN 0 11 752370 4
- Special Waste Regulations 1996: How they affect you WP147 (available in England and Wales from Local Environment Agency offices and in Scotland from local Scottish Environmental Protection Agency offices)
HSE priced and free publications are available by mail order from:
HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS
Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995
HSE priced publications are also available from good booksellers.
For other enquiries ring HSE's InfoLine Tel: 0541 545500
or write to HSE's Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ
This leaflet is available in priced in packs of 10 from HSE Books, ISBN 0 7176 1179 5. Single free copies are also available from HSE Books.
This leaflet contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.
This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. The information is current at 4/96. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.
IND(G)223(L) 8/96 C500
This article is also available in the following formats:
- Microsoft Word (72 kB)
- Adobe Acrobat (PDF) (343 kB)
Source: HSE
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