Posted By Frank E. Davidson I think people on site have been exposed to dust containing asbestos fibres (chrysotile) but I'm not very assured by the response so far. The HSE are notified of the project because it includes demolition. Sections of a bulkhead separating an open public area and leased premises are sheeted with a thin 10mm material which wasn't noticed due to the black spray coating of the whole ceiling void. Part of this sheet material came down whilst fitting out something and dropped to the floor. Realised it wasn't plasterboard and probably an ASM when the fragments hit the ground and sounded like ceramic. It's not particularly friable. What can one do in the case of denial of presence of asbestos i.e. the usual "it's ok the whole building has been tested and there's no asbestos" site manager hot air. Oddly when I checked the safety files in the site managers office there wasn't an asbestos survey report present. The demolition supervisor hasn't seen the survey report either. Are site managers obliged to allow site personnel see the survey report? Are the safety files open access? I've triple zip-bagged a fragment. Can't afford to have it independently tested but I'm not particularly re-assured by the word of the site manager who is responsible for the area. I gave the site manager of the site which takes over the area where the possible ASM who isn't reponsible for the control of asbestos in that area a sample at the end of the nightshift. My Supervisor said the site manager had it tested today and it's not Asbestos. Seems an awfully quick turnaround? Sorry if this seems a bit disjointed, I'm just off a nightshift.

Posted By gerry d Frank, You are right to show concern. The site manager should also be concerned enough to stop work in that area and have the material analysed. If he is saying the material has been analysed, ask to see the certificate. If you are being told it is non asbestos surely this request isn`t too much to ask. This, if nothing else gives reassurance to anyone with concerns. There should be an asbestos register for the premises, although the survey (type 3?) may have missed it. The forthcoming guidance (MDHS100) is tightening up in terms of areas being inaccessible and/ or presumed presence of ACMs. Thorough justification has to be given why a particular area cannot be surveyed. A recent experience with the HSE whereby I reported to them a concern in a local school resulted in the HSE inspector contacting the local authority and believing whatever they told him. The ACM was not being managed properly and, although remediation work was administered eventually, anyone using the building area could have been exposed to asbestos. I realise you are in a tricky situation, but, no one should be exposed knowingly or unwittingly. I hope the matter can be resolved with the health and safety of people in mind rather than disruption to programme or economics, etc. Good luck.

Posted By shaunosborne Regarding turnaround of the test. It's a fairly simple procedure and would only take a few minutes to get one sample done, particularly if it was an experienced analyst. I guess the question is whether or not a sample could bypass the queue for analysis (and associated waiting times). If it was enough of a priority, I would guess that could be done.

Posted By Dave Wilson You have highlighted the classic problem!! Pre demo under CAR 06 and CDM 07 a Fully intrusive type 3 survey has to be done! End off!! The client is required to do this as part of the pre tender information to prospective PC's. Asbestos then has to be removed. If this was not done you are opening yourself up to HSE Enforcement action, as soon as someone notifies HSE on RIDDOR as a "DO" they will want to know answers. They will seve a PN and close the site, they will direct that the survey is done and then Any asbestos left if 'Licensable' will need a licensed contracto to remove and probably a waiver needed to get the work done ASAP

Posted By Dave Wilson We probably get 2 - 3 a month mainly in wales and south

Posted By Frank E. Davidson I understand a type 3 survey has been done. I would like to see the survey reposrt for myself. The difficulty is that we are on nights working for a different main contractor in the public area. The possible ACMs are on a tenants area under a main contractor (they are on days) who are handing over part of the site (the part with the suspected ACMs _ to the public area (nightshift) main contractor. I am assured by my supervisor that the whole complex has been tested. Of course it is not possible to test a whole complex for ACMs only select sampling sites for analysis. I wouldn't work on an electrical system if someone told me it was dead, I would want to see for my self by testing it was dead then proving my test lamps. I'm sure my my supervisor would do the same. Why he would adopt less rigorous proving standards to the number one cause of premature occupational mortality is beyond me. The ex-tenant of the site and an asbestos removal contractor was fined only in December for breach of CAR by allowing ceiling tiles to be removed without appropriate controls. Chains tend to specify the same materials throughout all their premises. Economics Scheconomics. I have written out my notice letter.