Dear all,

The HSE has an asbestos guidance note specifically for an activity we wish to carryout but my manager has asked me if we can 'adapt' the work method, ie do something completley different.

I'm not entirely comfortable with the request, I have a H&S Diploma but no specific experience or training in asbestos. My managers arguement is that the activity will be completed 'without incident' but how would we know that without a lot of air sampling/monitoring etc.

Can I ask what your thoughts are about this?

As Rayrapp says, HSE guidance is only guidance. However, if something goes wrong and you find yourself explaining to the beak, any method you put in place must be "at least as safe as the guidance". Almost by definition, if you have an incident, your system was not as safe as the guidance!

As protection for yourself and your company, I would strongly suggest following HSE guidance - it is then a good defence.

This must be old switchgear, as a rule the whole unit is removed and disposed of to avoid any need for removing asbestos flashguards. You have commented that the whole switch has been removed - so why do you need to remove the switch and flashguard?

No such thing as a daft question on these forums - a daft answer, definately. :)

Rodger many thanks for your honest reply, I appreciate it and agree with you 100%. Believe me I do like the correct solution - I really only wanted a bit of reassurance that I was standing and fighting with the right argument, I'm getting a bit of hassle over this because I won't agree about adapting the guidance.

I don't think brave is the word I would use; but yes I do really think that he would actually put his name to that and as for the guy tasked with taking the flashguards off, he doesn't understand why I'm making such a fuss, so yes he'd be happy to do it. Perception of risk, even from such a well known hazard, is not something I want to rely on; I'm not that 'brave'!

Seriously; thank you.

U can only do what U can

Record everything inclusive of these questions and answers and think about going around your line manager further up the management chain discussing that situation with your line manager first and see what happens

You have demonstrated competence by using this forum as a guide and it may be such that you advise your manager to call in a specialist (I do this many a time -as we are not all specialists in all subjects) who may then put your and your line managers minds at rest as the managers suggestions may in fact be OK in this instance. However note the other comments made herein as this is a specialist area and common sense and the law dictates that asbestos should be treated with the respect that it deserves

Best of luck

Hi all - my understanding is that if your staff are going to carry out such work (and follow a33 task sheet) they will need asbestos awareness training and training on non-licensed tasks, which is what we have provided for our maintenance operatives.

Brown

Your company has got a legal duty to identify what type of asbestos or to assume that it is crocidolite or amosite, then to assess the risks to your employees with such assessment including, amongst other issues, the nature and degree of exposure which may occur in the course of the work, as part of the process of informing a suitable written plan of work, detailing how it is to be done.

You recognise your limited knowledge in this area. Your manager doesn't appear to. Others have pointed out the training requirements. Suggest you put it to manager that they make a judgement of the exposure levels that may result compared to the control limit (noting that 1. you must not exceed limit, but also 2. exposure must be reduced, so far as reasonably practicable below that limit). This might be a challenge that they might wish to avoid when there's specific HSE guidance on the topic.

Doubt that removing the flash guards is going to result in any significant savings in disposal to licensed tip, when comparing with disposing of switches intact as hazardous waste.

No apologies needed, it's good to have an opportunity to discuss these matters. I've spent the day getting quotes for training.

Yes, I do worry that I'm shutting the stable door after the horse is long gone, but what more can I do? I hate to think it all comes down to a back covering exercise but in some instances that's the best you can do. Next year I'm expected to take over my managers job when he retires so it's a case of learn from experience & try to improve things, slowly.