So as some of you know I work for a solar PV installation company and once again our sales guys have gone ahead and signed up an asbestos job.

The roof tiles have been identified as Chrysolite.

Basically we remove the tile, screw a bracket into the rafter and replace the tile.

My guys have no form of asbestos training so they can't go ahead with this job.

Now I was thinking of hiring a Asbestos removal company to take all the tiles out and then my guys screw in the brackets and then they replace tiles and then the solar panels are put in place.

Thoughts ?

Few things that spring to my mind is that the tiles still may be disturbed and release asbestos when they are stepping on them etc.

The Asbestos removal guys would be expected to go up the scaffold, so would need to check if they have W@H training.

I am getting pressured to not keep walking away from these jobs, when in reality they should not be taken on if there is any doubt.

This is basically a last ditch chance of saving the job, but it has it draw backs

Would like some peoples opinions who have more experience working with asbestos

Thanks

Thanks for the response Ray.

We will be training our guys in AW but have others things to get in place first.

At present I am not aware of the condition of the tiles etc, but just wanted to get a feel for the views on using the above work method (getting asbestos trained guys to remove and replace tiles) ?

If we did use the above method the guys would still have to work on the roof putting panels in place, screwing them tight and fixing rails etc.

So they would need RPE which need's fitting, training, overalls, gloves etc which they would then have to give to the asbestos removal company at the end, so we would need them there for the duration on the work.

Any more views on this please ?

Hi CarlT,

Is it common practise for my guys to walk on roof tiles, however we do not allow then to work on anything that has a chance of being fragile such as barn roofs etc

Firstly, has the asbestos risk been assessed? This will need to take into account that the work is likely to be undertaken in the open air, the composition of the ACM material and the likelihood that it will release fibres and as mentioned previously the potential for contamination of the building. This would then help highlight the required removal methods and PPE required. Perhaps it would be wise to consult the asbestos removal company you propose to use, because if deemed competent, they are best placed to advise on the removal process (I wasn't sure if you mean't they would replace the existing tiles back or replace with new non-ACM tiles - I assumed the former). Given they might be used to working in many types of environments when removing ACM's it highly likely that providers will have WAH training - you need to make that part of your selection criteria when selecting a provider.

The composition of the roof tile might indicate that the likelihood of contamination below the roof structure is limited given the fibres are sufficiently encapsulated within the material that comprises the roof tile, which means the need for a full environmental clean even in the event of bits coming off the roof tile is very low. If you putting the existing tiles back, it is no different then if they had remained there, as the entire roof comprises the same material - if the roof tile is in decent condition then there is no reason why it can't be placed back. The ideal would be to replace it, but this is not always cost effective and it is accepted practice to manage ACM's in situ that are in good condition.

Morning All and Happy New Year.

Just to revive this thread I have been in touch with an asbestos removal company.

They have stated that they can remove the tiles and take them away for us. All we have to do is mark out the tiles we want moving.

I have stated that my guy's have no asbestos training or PPE and he said it doesn't matter, all they will need is type 5 overalls which they will provide.

Is this correct ?

The tiles would have been removed and replaced with non ACM tiles, but the guys would still be stepping on the roof in some instances

Opinions ?

Ok thanks sharks.

So Face fit training and masks and some basic training from myself and they will be good to go.