Rank: Super forum user 
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One aspect of Asbestos Awareness training is, what you should do in the event of accidental exposure to asbestos whilst at work.
The HSE produce a document em1 " what to do if you uncover or damage materials that may contain asbestos". It outlines the procedure to follow.
My question is this - If you are a sub contractor, working for a Principal Contractor, on a building that might contain asbestos, who would be required to supply any decontamination equipment?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I think that's going to depend on the break-down of the work allocation on the Project.
If this is a 'universal' risk, then the PC should be making arrangements. If the risk is localised and limited to the activity of one or two sub-contractors, then it would be reasonable to expect them to be making provision?
This should all be sorted out before work commences of course.
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Rank: Forum user
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MEden
Surely if you are the only sub contractor and exposure is a known potential then it must be down to you, however if the asbestos survey is carried out correctly then the risk may well be controlled ie all potential materials have been discovered and information available prior to you starting work.
Oh for the perfect world where nothing is missed in the survey, in reality there is always the potential for something to be missed but if they do discover are they going to suffer any contamination ?
Regards
PaulR
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Rank: Forum user
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Depending on what your work activity is would have a major say in this, but in ideal world before you started work and asbestos was a hazard, then the PC would have commissioned relevent survey, put his plan in work on how they were going to manage removal/encapsulation etc. this would then be passed to you as sub contractor so you would be fully aware of any potential situations. You would then put your own plan of work into operation. If you came accross ACM acidently, you would follow the emergency procedure's laid down. The PC then would seal the area, until it had been confimed what was present, the PC would the arrange for removal by specialist company. At no stage you would be expected to use decontamination equipment or any related specialist equipment unless you work is linked to asbestos work
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Rank: Super forum user
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Smith6720
We don't work with asbestos.
What I was asking is who supplies decomtamination facilities if an operative is accidentaly contaminated - it says in HSE em1 the person should undress shower and wash hair if heavy suspected contamination happens.
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Rank: Forum user
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We had an incident on site where we cut a hole through a wall which had an asbestos containing pipe in it.... We were a specialist contractor on site. The Principal Contractor then closed the site, paid for sampling and subsequent cleaning and de-contamination. They the re-charged us for the cost of sampling and decontamination which I though was fair enough. We had caused the whole site to be unexpectedly closed for half a day and thought we might also be charged some % of this additional cost to the project as a whole, but fortunately we weren't.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Reed21854
Seek a reclaim of the money as the PC has the duty to manage under the law as he is in possession of the work area and should have ensured it was clear or identified. He should also pay for ALL consequences of his failure to manage. I know some half decent lawyers on this area.
We really do need to get the responsibilities clear on sites - It is with the contractor in overall control and breaches are down to their lack of management. Use the HSE stick if they are trying to force costs on the hapless subcontractor.
Bob
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Rank: Forum user
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MEden
You are quite right what EM1 states, however from your risk assessment taking into account all the PCI information etc, the risk for exposure should surely be heading to the low end of the scale and therefore sufficient contamination to require decontamination would not be necessary ?
May I suggest that you read CAR 2012 where it states that the exposure should be kept as low as possible !
Regards
PaulR
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Rank: Super forum user
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Paul
My question was nothing to do with minimising the risk of exposure, it was who pays for supplying decontamination if there is an accidental contamination from ACMs you didn't know were in the vicinity of your work area
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Rank: Forum user
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MEden
If there is the potential for a uncontrolled contamination, this surely means that whenever there is this possibility then each site would need a decon unit on stand by or have immediate access to one.
With regards to who pays, if you can get the PC then all well and good but this will be difficult so you may have to end up baring the cost or include within your tender price !!!!
I feel that again it all comes down to your risk assessment.
Regards
PaulR
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Who pays for the recovery from mistakes, errors, negligent work, damage, delays etc will depend on what is written into the contract.
Arguing contractual obligations is usually outside the remit of the H&S Function
Preventing or controlling the risk contamination, and clear up of a mistake when it does happen does need H&S advice.
It depends on who has contractual obligation for paying the clean up as to who will pay.
Steve
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Rank: Forum user
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I believe that the stated task sheet is more aimed at contractors who deal with non licenesed asbestos work!! in this case (I think) we are talking about a job where the asbestos work has been completed and asbestos contarctors have pulled off site. Like all buildings that have had asbestos removed there is a residual risk that there may be more present. The chances of any principal contractor having a decontamination unit on site is nil. Most welfare facilities have showers, most operatives who have had asbestos awareness training will be told that if they come accross what they believe to be asbestos, withdraw from the area etc etc, if the feel that there clothes have potential ACM on them, then go to shower room remove and have a shower etc etc. Put this in prospective the chances of exposure above the level limits is small. sorry going off on tangient in answer to your question, I would say that the best you will get is a shower facility unless this has been discussed at an early stage and the risk is deemed high, then this is where you would have highlighted the need for a full decontamination unit in which you would price the work accordingly > just my opinion
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Rank: Forum user 
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The person (s) (and the families) who has been exposed could, pay the ultimate price. This also need reporting under RIDDOR
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