Rank: New forum user 
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Hi, I am an OH Specialist Practitioner and I hope that someone will be able to provide advice on the above topic
I have been asked by a company to do a talk to 2 members of staff who have been exposed to Asbestos. The brief is below...
"At Christmas time there was a flood in a complex that had been checked for asbestos however a cupboard had been missed. Two members of staff – a warden and a housing officer – were helping to clean up the water and the flood went into the cupboard and therefore they were exposed to asbestos".
They are looking for me to go and speak with the employees (and Spouses) and provide an informal talk.
The idea is that because they will be talking to someone outwith the company the staff can feel they can talk freely and openly and hopefully their fears will be put to rest. The company in question states that they "are happy to organise medical checks for the staff in the future should they require this".
To me it doesn't sound like they have been particularly exposed....but as with everything, more will come to light once I have gone in t speak with them.
Can anyone provide any further information that might be of benefit?
Any help would be gratefully received!!!
Thanks in advance Rachael McLachlan
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
What type of asbestos was it?
What was the product?
What was the condition of the product?
How were they exposed to it and for how long for?
Who recognised it as asbestos?
Were any air tests carried out after exposure, if so what were the results?
Cheers
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Rank: Forum user
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Aren't the risks greatly reduced if the asbestos was wet from the flooding. It is then more difficult to release airborne fibres, hence reducing the risk of inhalation.
Likewise, if a 'one off' exposure, reduces the long term ill health risk.
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Rank: New forum user
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@TFCSM - I have no idea unfortunately...the brief as you can see was so vague!! However I intend to find out more, but doubtful this will be before I am to talk to the employees!
@Sgkfz181 - I thought that water damage makes asbestos more friable?? But I could also see the logic that if wet if makes air borne fibres less likely. However, I could well be wrong as im not too hot on this at all as you can tell!
Thanks for your replies though!
Rachael
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Rank: Forum user
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Wetting does make the potential for airborne release much less, however if the guys clothes got wet and contaminated and they went home with them, then once dry the potential for release is back. And secondary exposure to family etc.
Without knowing answers to my questions above it is difficult to advise, I will however question your competency to deliver this talk as by your own admittance you are 'not too hot' on the subject.
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Forum user
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Its not the big 'lumps' you have to worry about - thay can't be breathed in or reach the lungs.
Damping down is the usual way to prevent dusts/fibres becoming airborne.
Google 'Johannesburg curve anyone' or 'respirable' dust.
Memory fading since my diploma days, but of greater than 7-10um, then dust/fiibres aren't respirable. Although bear in mind asbestos are long and thin, not 'round'.
Occupational hygienist?
Even if the asbestos was on clothes - I wouldn't be too concerned about a 'one off' exposure. But probably best not to make a habit of breathing it in.
However as indicated by TFCM, not good to take the clothes home etc.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Bigger risk perhaps to those routinely using that cupboard over the years, perhaps involving routine and frequent inadvertant damage to the cupboard lining. In the specific incident you mention, and as others have said, the material was wet or at least damp, there is no mention of evidence of any damage or degradation during that incident to involve a likely release of fibres, therefore the fibre exposure is likely to have been zero. You also need to be correcting the employer on his offer to 'organise medical checks'. You should know that there is no relevant medical intervention for such exposure (even had there been a real exposure). More info. here http://www.hse.gov.uk/fo.../oc/200-299/265-48-3.htmand here http://www.hse.gov.uk/fo.../oc/200-299/265-48-2.htmI would also suggest that an experienced asbestos analyst (such as the employer in question might already have on their books) would probably be in as gooda position (if not better) to offer such reassurance.
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Rank: Forum user
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I agree with Ron. However, was this not picked up on an Asbestos Survey. And has this exposure been reported to the Local Authority or the HSE??? There may well have been a breach of CAR?
Les
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Rank: New forum user
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Has the cupboard been confirmed as containing asbestos subsequently or are you adopting the presumptive approach? Is there phsyical evidence of degradation of the fabric? The potential for exposure will have been reduced by the water preventing the fibres becoming airborne. As Ron says, the bigger risk will have been to more frequent users in the past.
There is no medical process available at present to diagnose the long term affects of a potential exposure. X ray scans could be offered at a cost but again they will only be a snapshot of the condition on the day will not guarantee their health in 20, 30 or 40 years; the latency period for asbestos related disease. I would recommend that a note is put on their personnel record should that in future years the individuals show symptons of possible associated disease. They could advise their Doctor but in the event of them being clear it is still information that a Doctor may be obliged to declare at a future date in the event of medical insurance or other applications.
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Rank: Forum user
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This all brings you back to the need to carry out an asbestos survey and formulate an asbestos management plan under legislation regulation 4 of the control of asbestos regulation duty to manage asbestos in a none domestic premises also it would be advisable to deliver asbestos awareness training to all staff if there is a potential to disturb ACM,s this would give the staff the relevant knowledge to identify ACM,s and emergency decontamination procedures in the event of accidental contamination
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Rank: Super forum user
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IMHO, that X-ray actually presents greater risk than this alleged "exposure".
On the basis of info. supplied here, I see no basis for a RIDDOR. At best, I'd call it a 'near miss'.
As for Surveyors, and things being missed, I think we all have experience of that. Many a time the only problem was that cupboard or room was locked, and no one could find (or be bothered finding) the key holder. Same goes for floor ducts but no lifting keys available.
Comparison of survey results with a building plan by the employer should have made it immediately apparent that an area had been missed. Then again, quite often the Surveyor wasn't given a plan - because there wasn't one.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Given the fact you are outwith your own expertise you really need to know what the composition of the "asbestos" is well before meeting the employees, so as t have time to form a credible opinion.
Maybe you should contact an expert via BHOS and let them take this job on?
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