Hi Lwood,

This was discussed a few weeks ago, try looking here to see if it answers your question.

http://forum.iosh.co.uk/...aspx?g=posts&t=96773

We have a building that is post 1900 and whilst I rated the risk as very low the contractors H&S insisted on having it sampled (we of course obliged using our normal asbestos sampling lab). The point is of course, is that its not quick and the contractor is now crying that its our fault that the work is delayed (this after we offered to bring in our asbestos removal contractors to remove it, but the contracto turned this down! not wanting other contractors on his site).

I was just trawling for any other points of view in case I had dropped the ball at all.

TY all and am now calling this a closed thread.

Lwood

A half decent design team and CDMC should have identified this possibility - I personally would be having a shot at them. You cannot just landfill Anthrax contaminated waste and so there is a duty to analyse and the contractor has a good case for delay.

Bob

Ron

In some senses I agree with you but I had the feeling that this was not addressed in the PCI. I feel that the plaster issue was identified post site takeover and the PC now feels "why should I accept the reassurance of a team that failed to spot this?" If this had been an asbestos issue the law is clear - the PC is in control and thus takes full management reponsibility but this is not such an issue- Legally it would be covered ubder H&S plus Contract Law to define responsibilities.

Bob

Dear All,

If you search the records you may find it in persons mixing new horse hair - lime plaster but you will not find any cases caused by old plaster. If you do I will be interested.

Whilst you may find the odd viable anthrax spore in old plaster, the fact that it has been in an alkaline substrate for a long period, renders it not viable. In fact the recognised method of disposal of a body with anthrax is to bury it in lime.

The other factor is that the particles released by plaster are large and will get caught in the nose and pharyngeal region. They will not therefore get to the right region of the respiratory system.

Last I understand non-weaponised anthrax has a high minimum infective dose (in the order of 10^3 organisms per cubic metre).

Put together this means that you have low risk of disease from exposure to old-horse hair lime plaster as you have a non viable organism, in low numbers presented in a form that cannot reach the respiratory region of the lungs.

The preventative and protective measures and measures to comply with the law are simple; don't generate dust - work wet; don't inhale the dust - wear a dust mask P2 preferably; keep skin covered with general purpose gloves; put in health surveillance for skin and respiratory infections; and educate the worker about the dangers of dust in old buildings - histoplasmosis and asbestos are greater risks.

Regards Adrian