Posted By Nick P Balsdon I'd be grateful if others would be willing to share their policy or procedures for the unintentional disturbance of asbestos. Particularly policies suited to the housing maintenance sector & occupied premises

Posted By Adrian Watson Dear Nick, Here is an example of a procedure, from a manual. WORK INVOLVING ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL If asbestos materials are liable to be worked upon or disturbed in any way, advice shall be taken from the Safety Advisor before any work is carried out. The Safety Advisor is to confirm the advice in writing. All work on asbestos containing materials is to be carried out in accordance with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987, associated approved codes of practice and guidance. A separate risk assessment must be carried out if any work is to be carried out on any asbestos containing material, taking into account the work process, the methods and equipment being used and the protective measures being taken. All work on asbestos containing material is to be carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor, unless it is exempted work. The licensed asbestos contractor is to produce a method statement before carrying out the work and give notice to the appropriate enforcement agency, if required, to allow the work to be carried out. A copy of the method statement and notification to the enforcement agency, if required, are to be sent to the Safety Advisor by fax and post. The Safety Advisor is ensure that the method statement is checked by the preferred independent consultant in good time to allow the work to be carried out. The property manager is to be advised in writing whether the method statement is satisfactory or not. If the method statement is not acceptable the licensed asbestos contractor is to be informed and given the opportunity to amend the method statement. If the method statement is acceptable the property manager is to be informed in writing that the work may be carried out. The property manager is to take all reasonable measures to ensure that all work carried out is carried out in accordance with the procedures described in the method statement. The Safety Advisor is to arrange for the preferred independent consultant to carry out air monitoring outside the asbestos area during such works and for verification of the contractors clearance testing once the works have been completed. The Safety Advisor is to arrange for the preferred independent consultant to check the quality of all work on asbestos containing materials before the area is accepted back from the asbestos removal contractor. Records shall be kept of asbestos removal work and airborne fibre monitoring within this document. When asbestos containing materials are removed from the property the asbestos register is to be updated. ACTION TO BE TAKEN IF ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL IS FOUND When asbestos-containing material is found during the course of any work, except when being carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor, the work is to be immediately stopped until advice has been obtained from the Safety Advisor. The Safety Advisor is to confirm the advice in writing. Airborne fibre monitoring is to be immediately carried out to ascertain the airborne fibre levels. Records shall be kept of all airborne fibre monitoring within this document. WORK IS NOT TO RESUME UNTIL ADVICE HAS BEEN OBTAINED AND AIR MONITORING HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT. A written record of the event is to be made and forwarded to the Safety Advisor. A copy is to be kept in this document. ACTION TO BE TAKEN IF ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL IS DAMAGED When asbestos-containing material is damaged, immediate advice shall be taken from the Safety Advisor. The Safety Advisor is to confirm the advice in writing. If there is a serious risk of fibre release, remedial work is to be undertaken as soon as possible to minimise the risk of fibre release. If remedial work cannot be taken immediately persons shall be excluded from the area and airborne fibre monitoring is to be immediately carried out to ascertain the airborne fibre levels. A copy shall be kept in this document. WORK IS NOT TO RESUME UNTIL ADVICE HAS BEEN OBTAINED AND AIR MONITORING HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT. A written record of the event is to be made, with witness statements, and forwarded to the Safety Advisor. A copy shall be kept in this document. I hope that this helps. Regards Adrian