Posted By Carolyn
Following an incident i was involved in last year, this incident may well not be reportable to the HSE. It is all dependant on the amount of asbestos fibre released and the duration of exposure to your operatives.
Following an incident we took the view that it was better to report rather than not. This was investigated by the HSE and we learnt many valuable lessons. THe incident however did not actually have to be reported under RIDDOR.
I would say if in doubt report it.
You will have to take records of persons potentially exposed in case of future repocutions regardless of whether or not you report this under RIDDOR.

Posted By anon1234
There is only one category it copuld be reported under in RIDDOR, i.e Dangerous Occurrence, escape of substances:

---

Escape of substances (paragraph 21)
149 The substances covered by this definition may be in any form: liquid, solid (eg powder), gaseous or vapour and may include, for example:

(a) substances which may be hazardous to health (eg asbestos, phosgene, toluene diisocyanate);

(b) substances which may be either corrosive or potentially hazardous by virtue of their temperature or pressure (eg nitric acid, molten metal, liquid nitrogen);

(c) substances which may, depending upon the circumstances of the escape, present a fire or explosion hazard (eg oxygen, acetylene).


150 Examples of the kinds of incident involving substances which might be covered by the definition are escapes arising from the failure or breakage of plant, pipes, equipment or apparatus; failures of process control; the operation of a relief valve or bursting disc where the escaping substance is not safely controlled or directed; and spillages from containers and equipment.

151 Releases from plant etc, during the normal course of operation or maintenance (eg during sampling, packaging or draining of lines) that are sufficiently well controlled to ensure that no person is put at risk would not be reportable.

152 The decision as to whether or not an incident is reportable depends upon factors such as the nature of the substance and its chemical, physical and toxicological properties, the amount which escaped and its dispersal; and whether people could have been present at the time.

---

Clearly asbestos is mentioned in the above guidance to the regulations, but you need to consider the exposure in the context of paragraph 152. In other words you need to make a judgement call.

My gut feel from the limited information provided is that it is not reportable - however, I clearly don't have all the relevant information.

Don't report 'just in case' - make a decision based on the evidence, record how you arrived at that decision, and act accordingly.

Posted By beenus
Thank you to everyone who has responded, We had some air monitoring checks carried out which showed a level of 0.01mg which is below the WEL, so on this basis I have decided I don't need to report as the risk is low. However, I wasn't aware that I had to keep a record of the possible exposure - I have made a note of the event on our accident reporting system, would this be sufficient do you know or do I need to do more?

Again, many thanks for your help.

Posted By IOSH Moderator
Anon,

We've had to hide your post until you can provide a reference or link to the document you have quoted.

This is to prevent either you or this website being in breach of copyright restrictions that may apply.

Apologies to all for the inconvenience.

Jon