Hi

I have a feeling somewhere someone (not sure still digging) has jet washed some asbestos containing cement (white chrysotile) several weeks ago. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this occurring and if so what did you do?

The advice chas has given is good. The only things I would add is that there is nothing you can do retrospectively as far exposing people and spreading run-off down the drainage system, the 'damage' is already done. There may be residue - wet or otherwise - that didn't make it to the drains where the jetting took place that needs to cleaned up. Awareness of ACMs need to be addressed though, both by consulting the asbestos register for the location and by providing awareness training for anyone who might come into contact with ACMs. The policy and procedures for this task or location need to reflect the presence of ACMs.

Thanks for this. But I'm interested on whether such an incident should be classed as a RIDDOR Dangerous Occurrence?

From

http://www.hse.gov.uk/ri...r/guidance.htm#dangerous

- accidental release of any substance which may damage health.

Agree - spilling beer could be considered reportable by my post :)

You seem to suggest that someone with such scant regard for health and safety would consider reporting their unsafe act to the enforcing authorities? Seems unlikely - assuming they've even heard of RIDDOR.

You also seem rather vague as to the circumstances regarding the cleaning of the roof. There is a safe (contained) way to do this using water under pressure. Given that you "have a feeling" how can you be sure that method wasn't employed?

The exposure scenario is relevant in a RIDDOR context, as fibres would in theory be respirable via the water droplets of a fine spray. Virtually mpossible to measure in real-time though using accepted methodology, and given that the activity is outside, no meaningful way to measure or sample after the event.

The proprietor of the premises will soon rue his action when he finds his roof is now porous.
Worse things happen out there - including all too frequent crushing of AC panels as part of a demolition or taking down without a 'soft strip'.

It is not possible to determine retrospectively if the control limit was breached during the activity. The nature of the work (wet) makes that even more unlikely. Bit if a subjective judgement call on RIDDOR application then.
It is an unlawful activity though, from both H&S and EPA/SEPA perspective.
A company called Aronovus had a fully compliant system for this as I recall - you could Google that.