Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all, I've just glanced the 2012 Riddor and CAOR regs, It wasn't a fleeting glance but couldn't see a clear statement regarding whether or not accidental exposure to asbestos was RIDDOR reportable ( yes assuming it's friable). Can anyone clear this up, maybe i've simply over looked something? Thanks for reading
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Adale
I had an issue where operative(s) were possibly exposed, so did air test to confirm if there were any fibres. Also contacted the HSE when you could phone them and they stated that if the air test was clear then there would have been no exposure and subsequently would not be reportable under RIDDOR. Please note that the contact was a HSE inspector and not just someone repeating legislation and his knowledge is excellent and still keep in contact with him just in case there is a need for any further assistance
Regards
PaulR
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks Paul, appreciate first hand experience. It sounds like confirmed exposures are definitely reportable then, which goes along with common sense if nothing else, but I simply couldn't find anything specific in RIDDOR, however I didn't look into diseases as it was an initial exposure I hypothesised, perhaps I should look there. Cheers
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Paul, that advice from the Inspector doesn't quite accord with the definitive RIDDOR criteria (which was changed in Feb2012) on the HSE's asbestos faqs.
HSE not following its own advice? For me that isn't a surprise......
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Rank: Forum user
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Some thoughts on this !
Paul how soon after the exposure did the air test take place? as surely this would dictate the exposure levels?? Was it a disturbed air test?
I also think that Ron is correct in his HSE statement, there is an article in this months SHP ref asbestos, which has implications, on the requirement to report under RIDDOR !!
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Rank: Forum user
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I'll check SHP out thanks, but whilst we're on it, is there any other reason for Reg 4 to have it's own Acop other than the actual size of the information ? I know it's specifically in relation to non-domestic premises but by their very definition, aren't employers places of work "non-domestic"? Or have I missed something again? It's been 12 months since I covered Unit B in the Diploma and I'm alarmed at how much hasn't stuck.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Adale, the definitive answer to your question is within the frequently asked questions at HSE's www asbestos pages - not the SHP.
The point of exposure and the dangerous occurence is at the breathing zone of the guy with the hammer knocking lumps out of AIB (or similar incident). Volumetric sampling sometime afterwards, particularly in larger areas with good ventilation is of no real relevance to the accident event.
This is why the HSE changed the RIDDOR criteria in February (under some significant pressure from other Groups, notably in the Education Sector).
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Rank: Super forum user
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HSE say....."Exposure to asbestos is reportable under RIDDOR when a work activity causes the accidental release or escape of asbestos fibres into the air in a quantity sufficient to cause damage to the health of any person". My question is, at what point does the airborne concentration become sufficient to cause ill health? Whilst I do not want to get involved in a 'one fibre theory' discussion, would it be correct to say that the airborne fibre concentration becomes sufficient to cause ill health once the Control Limit or Action Level is exceeded? Or is that an erroneous train of thaught and too simplistic?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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quote=chas]HSE say....."Exposure to asbestos is reportable under RIDDOR when a work activity causes the accidental release or escape of asbestos fibres into the air in a quantity sufficient to cause damage to the health of any person". My question is, at what point does the airborne concentration become sufficient to cause ill health? Whilst I do not want to get involved in a 'one fibre theory' discussion, would it be correct to say that the airborne fibre concentration becomes sufficient to cause ill health once the Control Limit or Action Level is exceeded? Or is that an erroneous train of thaught and too simplistic?
I think you have sort of answered your own question Chas - you cannot get away from a 'one fibre theory' if it was exposed and airborne then technically it could have consequences.
You will never actually have quantifiable data on how much exposure occurred at the time of the incident, any monitoring of air afterwards will only give another set of figures.
The guy or gal exposed could be a serial smoker in their spare time etc etc etc and as such could be more susceptible and all the rest which you no doubt understand already.
For me its one of those cases where a number would be really useful to give a clear indicator of a breached threshold but its a number that cannot in the real world as of now actually exist.
I suppose what I'm saying is I would report if there was a definite release with breathing persons present.
(my goodness, I am capable of actually reporting ;-0 )
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I agree with Damelcfc (and others) how can sampling after the event be representative and give any useful info.
Love the line about breathing persons, probably should not find it amusing but I do.
Damelcfc, steady about reporting have you exhausted all avenues, they could have been breathing out (50/50 chance) or even holding their breath.
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Rank: Forum user
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The problem starts when the person is exposed and then contract an asbestos related disease, what exposure caused the disease. I worked as an apprentice shop fitter 25 years ago and asbestos was not well advertised and can only assume that I have had some exposure, therefore who is responsible and do report as a RIDDOR now ?
Regards
PaulR
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Rank: Forum user
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The answer is and always has been simple.
Under the listing: "The following dangerous occurrences are reportable"
At the bottom of the list is:
"Accidental release of any substance which may damage health".
Bit of a "catch all" statement, but would certainly include accidental asbestos exposure.
Rodger Ker
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