Posted By Wayne Bishop One of our contracts includes the refurbishment of many occupied homes that contain asbestos materials. Work takes place in many dwellings across a large City simultaneously. Asbestos surveys are conducted and all persons working within the dwellings are given the results of the surveys. The asbestos is managed by removal, shadow vacuuming, encapsulation or left undisturbed where possible. We go to great lengths to ensure that every one working within the dwellings have received asbestos awareness training. Can any one suggest a practical approach for an emergency procedure to deal with an accidental release of asbestos fibres(of any type). My thoughts so far are evacuation, decontamination of the property by specialists, swab tests, replacement of soft furnishings and air testing by an analyist before re-occupation. I'm not sure how the tradesman in question, possibly a window fitter, gas fitter, plumber or carpenter would be decontaminated. They have no more than basic awareness training & no de-contamination unit to hand. We also have the scenario where the dwelling could be occupied at the time of the release or that we would have to prevent people from entering their own homes upon return. Has anyone got any thought on this ?

Posted By Ron Hunter If you do a Google search on "Asbestos Emergency Procedures" you'll find a wealth of info., including access to Procedures developed by Local Authorities/Housing Authorities. I think the 'difficult' residual issue here is the possible contamination of tenants and their property, and it is manifestly unfair (and inadvisable) that you as Contractor are left to deal with these issues. I strongly urge you to enter into dialogue with your Client to jointly develop an emergency response in this area. My own view is that there is now too much refurbishment work done in Housing Stock without decanting residents and their property - all on cost grounds of course. Clients: It used to be common practice to decant tenants, why is it now no longer 'reasonably practicable'?