Asbestos AwarenessUpdate

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Asbestos Awareness/Update
Billy Pruden Safety Advisers Unit
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Head 'did not warn of asbestos'
Feb 04, around 750,000 had to be spent
decontaminating Silverhill Primary School after
asbestos was found during routine building
work. The Head Teacher gave the go-ahead for the
68,000 scheme to replace old windows, but failed
to tell glaziers asbestos had been found in the
pre-fabricated premises at the site during a
survey. Contractors were days into removing old
frames before they found "white asbestos", which
they believed to be lower risk, so they carried
on.
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Head 'did not warn of asbestos'

• Glaziers later discovered high levels of more
  dangerous brown asbestos after most of work been
  completed.
• The substance was spread around classrooms
  during term time, with hundreds of pupils and
  staff present.

4
Head charged for health and safety failing
The Head Teacher and Derby City Council was
subsequently prosecuted by the HSE under the
Health and Safety at Work Act for putting people
at risk. The Head said he had "no training" on
the risks of asbestos and was unaware of its
presence in the window panels.
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Head cleared of asbestos charge
Dec 06, Head was found not guilty and cleared of
all charges although had already resigned from
post. Derby City Council found guilty and fined
50,000 with costs of 20,000. Potential of
future claims against Derby City Council
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HSE Response

• Difficult case to bring but felt the head had a
  case to answer
• Vital that proper records are kept which details
  where any ACM is and condition it is in. This
  should be given to anyone who is likely to
  disturb it.
• Anyone who approves building work directly needs
  to ensure it is done safely and understand their
  responsibilities.

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Asbestos- What Is It?

• Naturally occurring mineral fibre
• White - crysotile
• Brown - amosite
• Blue - crocidolite

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What does it look like?
(a) chrysotile
(b) amosite
(c) crocidolite
(d) tremolite
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Why is it dangerous

• If you inhale asbestos fibres they can become
  lodged in the tissue of your chest and your
  bodies natural defences may not be able to break
  them down.
• Asbestos is only a risk if you disturb or damage
  it and cause the fibres to be released into the
  air.

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Asbestos- What Are Its Effects?

• Asbestosis- scarring of the lungs
• Lung cancer- bronchial cancer
• Mesothelioma- cancer of the lining between the
  chest and lungs
• Pleural plaques, pleural thickening, pleuritis-
  impaired lung function

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Asbestos Usage

• Asbestos was used in hundreds of different
  products and buildings from 1950s to the mid
  1980s.
• Asbestos cement was used up until 1999 in a
  variety of different premises and materials.
• The use of asbestos peaked in the 1960s and early
  1970s.

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Where is Asbestos found?
Ceiling board
Stair nosing
Sink mastic pad
Lagging
Roof felt
Cement flue
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Uses of Asbestos (1)

• Lagging to boilers
• Asbestos cement sheeting
• Fire protection in doors
• Pipework ducting and flue pipes
• Roofing materials
• Sprayed fire insulation
• Insulation boards
• Sofit boards
• Rainwater goods
• Asbestos rope and string

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Uses of Asbestos (2)

• Artex ceiling decoration
• Cold water tanks
• Bath panels
• Floor tiles and coverings
• Ceiling tiles
• Fire blankets
• Brake shoes
• Cold caulking compound
• Overalls
• Boiler rings and gaskets

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Consumer Goods

• Oven gloves
• Oven door seals
• Fire door seals
• Asbestos sealing rope
• Iron rests
• Simmering pads
• Wall plugging compound
• Brake linings
• Clutch linings
• Wine filters

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Asbestos- Who Is at Risk?

• Main groups -
• Construction workers
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Maintenance workers
• Telecommunications workers
• Cleaners and caretakers
• Remember -
• Asbestos cannot be identified by visual
  examination!

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Asbestos and The Law

• HASAWA 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work
  Regulations
• Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations
• Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations
• Environmental Protection Act

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Asbestos- Effective Management

• Identify where it is present
• Assess the condition
• Determine likelihood and severity of exposure
• Management plan
• Risk assessment
• Survey report
• Remove or contain
• Label asbestos ?
• Control of work on site
• Control of contractors
• Monitor and review

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Identification Surveys

• Type 1 - sampling deferred. Suspect material
  presumed to contain asbestos.
• Type 2 - selective samples of suspect materials
  or specified areas.
• Type 3 - full access all areas may be
  destructive. Pre-demolition or major
  refurbishment.
• Mixed surveys at larger premises may be
  appropriate.

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Remember!

• If an item has not been included within the type
  2 survey
• Asbestos cannot be identified through visual
  inspection
• Presume the material contains asbestos unless
  there is strong evidence that it does not

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Assess Condition

• Four parameters for potential fibre release
• Product type
• Extent of damage/deterioration
• Surface treatment
• Asbestos type
• Assessment scores of
• 10 high potential
• 7-9 medium potential
• 5-6 low potential
• 4 or less very low potential

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Likelihood of exposure

• Location of the material (ACMs)
• Its extent
• The use to which the location is put
• The occupancy of the area
• The activities carried on within the area
• Likelihood/frequency of maintenance activities

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Asbestos Management Treatment

• The alternatives
• 1. Remove it
• Gone for good
• 2. Encapsulate
• Cheap
• 3. Leave it alone
• Very cheap

Costly Substitutes? Creates a risk Disposal Asbes
tos remains a. Abuse b. Demolition Safe?
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Asbestos Survey

• Mark old asbestos surveys that they have been
  superseded
• Examine survey and plan any removal,
  encapsulation or repair
• File records of any work undertaken on asbestos
• Record any further asbestos discovered not
  covered by the survey

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Asbestos Monitoring

• Undertake six-monthly checks of ACMs
• Record outcomes on the 1A logbook sheets
• Report any damaged ACMs
• Staff are not expected to put themselves at risk
  during the checks (e.g. ducting, roof voids)

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Checking for Damaged Asbestos
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Damaged Asbestos
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Damaged Asbestos
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Asbestos Monitoring

• Any contractor who may disturb the fabric of the
  building must view latest asbestos survey and
  sign sheets in Appendix 2 before work is
  commenced.
• Responsible person to sign 1B sheets on a monthly
  basis to confirm procedures are being followed.

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Asbestos Logbook

• Ensure 1A logbook sheets are accurate
• Relate to the latest survey (others should be
  filed)
• Mark sheets where asbestos has been removed
• Ensure latest plan of building from the survey is
  held in Section 2.

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Asbestos Checklist

• Guidance and Information Sheet 2, checklist
  available
• Available at http//intra.nottingham.gov.uk/safety

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For Any Further Assistance

• Call the Safety Advisers on 91 56766 / 56745/
  56709