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Posted By JEB
I have been informed by one of my clients that he will have to report a suspected exposure to asbestos fibres under RIDDOR, I cannot find where they are getting this information from. Does anybody know how this type of incident should be reported.
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Posted By David Bannister Hi JEB. The asbestos exposure comes under the heading of a release of substance which may damage health and is a dangerous occurrence, that is immediately reportable. See this leaflet: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse31.pdfWhen your client phones the Centre they should be talked through the process. Good luck.
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Posted By phil beresford
Spookily I was only looking at this yesterday - para 149 in the RIDDOR guidance - Asbestos is specifically mentioned.
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Posted By Paul Mahoney
Phil,
True, but, para 149 refers back to para 21 which states that, the release or escape is in sufficient quantities to cause the death, major injury or any other damage to the health of any person. From the information JEB has provided we don't know what the level of exposure was. That said, because it is a "suspected" exposusure to asbestos, I would register the fact with the HSE, and follow up with more information when it becomes avaialable.
Regards,
Paul.
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Posted By JEB
Many thanks for the information, the area where the incident occurred has been sealed off and tests are been carried out to determine the facts. The HSE have been verbally informed however what the HSE would class as "sufficient quantity" will always be open to debate, however I have always found it wise to report to the HSE rather than be reported. This incident has given me a little more knowledge on RIDDOR which is a regulation that has a few grey areas (like many others)
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Posted By andrew morris
You need to report it. NOW. If you wait for test results which then come back positive you are outside your reporting time. The inspectors may want to investigate the spread and by not reporting it may be considered obstruction as well as failing to report.
Furthermore, don't rely on airbourne tests after the event - because unless someone will be disturbing more asbestos fibres (including those settled) airbournes are likely to show up negative.
If it turns out that it is an asbestos spread - it may be a licensable job, the HSE/LA find out, come knocking and hey presto, asbestos spread and non-reporting charges.
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Posted By JEB
Andrew
It already has been verbally reported, see last entry, and just to reassure you, the suspected items are a few floor tiles that were lifted inadvertantly, they were not damaged and when the test results are received it is not believed it will be a notifiable removal task, although licenced contractors will be used to carry out the work.
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Posted By David G C
just a thought - has your clients building been subject to an asbestos survey and hold a management plan for the potential and ACMs identified...... as a competent asbestos surveyor would certainly identify vinyl floor tiles as strongly presumed to contain asbestos unless proven otherwise i.e had them tested.
Don't be surprised if The HSE ask the question
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