Posted By Jeff Manion
Seven Steps to Asbestos Management
1. Review where you area. What do you know about the premises? Desk top exercise, review works completed over the years
Dates to consider:-
1970 the use of blue almost stopped completely.
1985 spray coatings were legally banned.
1985 insulation board ceased.
1992 asbestos containing decorative plasters – artex.
1999 asbestos cement banned.
1999 the use if white asbestos was banned (with minor exceptions.
Not just the fabric of the building. Some examples are hairdryers, old electrical fires, gas fires with effects, machinery, gaskets, friction pads, brakes, belts etc. electrical cable and switchgear.
2. Do not work that could disturb asbestos until risk assessment completed.
A system to check before work is started.
What to do if discovered after works started.
Training for you staff and others
3. Complete an initial inspection and act on the findings.
You do not need and expert, you must be able to recognise, treat it as until proven otherwise. Material in good condition, not a problem damaged will release fibres.
High risk areas, lock the door, take samples arrange to repair and seal or remove. Licensed contractors.
4. Develop a strategy for compliance.
Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 doe not automatically require you have a survey to identify asbestos.
Three options:-
One – if not asbestos record the fact, you have to be sure.
Two – assume all material contain asbestos (glass and brick). Record in management records.
Three – complete a comprehensive survey.
5. Assess and priorities risk for remedial action.
Three stages: -
One, material risk assessment, type and condition.
Two priority assessments, damage and deterioration of persons disturbing coming into contact etc.
Three overall assessments to be recorded and available should assist in priorities.
6. Develop a long term plan.
Should include location and conditions. How to be recorded, with pictures and dates, plans and drawings, accessed by others, contractors.
Priorities for actions including risk rating.
High risk areas review, restrict access, permit to works, enclosure, monitoring and reviews,
Defined responsibilities, policy statement, contractors who need to be informed.
Signs.
7. Monitor and review.
Action plans, monitoring the condition and locations, recommended every six months, sampling the records for accuracy, checking signs, monitoring awareness of staff, reviewing lessons learnt from asbestos related safety incidents,
Safe systems of working specifications and access to records for contractors and others who might disturb, emergency plans and contingencies.