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#1 Posted : 16 August 2007 08:21:00(UTC)
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Posted By naomi
Good Morning All,

I have been asked to produce a generic risk assessment on Asbestos being present in non-occupied buildings.
I have mentioned so far:
Employees working on the asbestos and the control measures required to be in place i.e if it is asbestos that requires HSE to be informed prior to work starting, all the necessary control measures such as air locks, bag locks, decontamination unit, overalls, smoke tests, NPU's, air monitoring PPE/RPE etc..
Other workers in the building, inform them of work areas where asbestos is being removed and control measures eg signs.
Tresspassers- ensure end of day work area is secure and no loose asbestos is left, double bag and remove.
Have I forgot anything or has any one got a sample risk assessment i could look at?
Thank you in advance
Naomi
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#2 Posted : 16 August 2007 08:27:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
The glaring omissions for me are

1) Operative and their management/supervision awareness training as set out in CAR06

2) This needs to be a part of the overall management plan - I cannot quite see if this is the case.

Bob
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#3 Posted : 16 August 2007 08:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By naomi
Hi Bob
They have all recieved training and all upto date on all aspects of Asbestos removal.
I need to know if i have missed anything in respect to others in the building invited or not!!
I can't think of any thing else and seem to have developed a mental bloke at 8.30 in the morning!
Naomi
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#4 Posted : 16 August 2007 08:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
I trust you meant block - or were you thinking of anyone in particular?:-)

You may also need to think about continuity of power supplies if you are reliant on any equipment for maintaining alarms, negative pressure units etc.

I gather you are talking of an AR team when you list the ideas you have.

Bob

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#5 Posted : 16 August 2007 08:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By naomi
Bob
There are a few mental blokes but yes I did mean block!! (only joking not meant to offend!!)
Naomi
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#6 Posted : 16 August 2007 09:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By ddraigice
Naomi,

I could have completely the wrong end of the stick here but...

Purely from a CAR 06 duty to manage point of view, you are going far and above what is required to assess the risks.

I would also say that a generic risk assessment would be pointless too but I guess you have been saddled with this anyway!

If it is purely managing the asbestos, the risk assessment should typically be based upon a survey of the building (not generic), taking into account the condition of the ACM and the potential for damage or disturbance from maintenance or refurbishment.

The assessment of whether the work is notifiable and the subsequent control measures to be taken by a licensed contractor should be done by the competent licensed contractor. Your risk assessment should be - "Appoint licensed contractor".

Of course, there's no harm in doing an assessment like the one you describe but it would seem a bit pointless and not what is required by the regs - unless this is not for the duty to manage part of the regs and you are asking for an assessment purely for controlling licensed work.
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#7 Posted : 16 August 2007 09:09:00(UTC)
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Posted By ddraigice
...Or is it a purely hypothetical question for a tutor?
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#8 Posted : 16 August 2007 09:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By naomi
Hi
I was asked by my boss to write a risk assessment on a building contaminated with asbestos which is empty and i think is to be demolished.
My first question to him "is it specific you require?"
At first he said yes and i started to ask what type of building? where is it? has it been surveyed? have samples been taken etc...
Then he changed his mind and said do a generic one on non occupied buildings!
So I am working on the concept that he just wants a risk assessment pointing out the hazards and risks to others ie. Trespassers, visitors to the building who may be at risk if they come into contact with the asbestos if it is in a bad state of repair or been disturbed in any way.
I can't ask him as he has gone away on holiday so i was going to put a generic risk assessment together but need to know if i have missed anything out.
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#9 Posted : 16 August 2007 10:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By ddraigice
OK, a bit of a predicament for you then! I'd still go with the fact that you'll not need to go into too much detail on the licensed asbestos issues.

You could try to point out his duties under reg 4 to find and assess the ACM and assess and manage the risk.

Rather than carry out the task he's given - which will not be of benefit to man nor beast - you could do an assessment for three or four types of building:

1 - A building with no ACM (which, your assessment will say can only be verified by a survey).
2 - A building with ACM in good condition with no refurb or demolition due. Your assessment will then mention creation of a management plan (following survey) to ensure the risk is controlled and monitored
3/4- A building which has (or has the potential to have)damaged asbestos and/or is due for refurbishment or demolition. Control measures would then be temporary ones to prevent access to absolutely everyone with warning signs etc. until measures can be taken to ensure the matter is dealt with by licensed contractors.

You could also point out that when a licensed contractor is appointed, the plan of work is sent to HSE. There is a likelihood that any poor control of ACM's on the part of the client could then be traced back quite easily - especially where there is evidence of contamination, as the plan will mention the condition and location of any ACM's. A quick visit by HMI and "Show me your duty to manage plan" could result in a prosecution. And trust me it has done!
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#10 Posted : 17 August 2007 13:15:00(UTC)
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Posted By naomi
Thanks for that
It was very useful to me and appreciated.
Naomi
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#11 Posted : 17 August 2007 13:51:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Smile shops in Bath got prosecuted last week £14,000 ish for not managing asbestos.
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#12 Posted : 17 August 2007 13:58:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Just another look at the HSE www on the FIT3 (DRP) duty to manage asbestos enforcement Initiative 2007/08 at the is link

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fo...fod/inspect/asbestos.pdf

Also

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fo...ctors/manuf/03_07_02.pdf

this sets out how the HSE / LAU are going to enforce Reg 4 CAR 06.

You have been warned!
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