Asbestos Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the key legislation governing asbestos within the UK?
- Control of Asbestos Regulation 2012.
Who is responsible for managing asbestos in non-domestic premises?
- The Dutyholder which is anyone who has an obligation relating to the repair and maintenance of the non-domestic premises (such as a tenant or owner).
What are the key responsibilities/requirements of the ‘dutyholder’?
- In accordance with Regulation 4, the dutyholder has a duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises.
o Undertake detailed assessment.
o Ensure written plan is prepared which contains the asbestos register and strategies for managing the asbestos and preventing harm to building users.
o Issue written plan to all individuals who may disturb the asbestos.
o Regularly review and update the written plan.
What guidance is available to ensure compliance with the CAR 2012?
- HSE Approved Code of Practice, ‘Managing and Working with Asbestos’.
- Not compulsory but courts will review actions of an individual against the Code of Practice in the event of a health and safety breach.
When was asbestos banned and under what legislation?
- Crocidolite and Amosite were banned in 1985 under the Asbestos Prohibition Regulations 1985.
- Chrysotile was banned in 1999 under the Asbestos Prohibition (Amended) Regulations 1999.
What is asbestos?
- A set of naturally occurring silicate minerals which are formed of fine fibres.
Name the different types of asbestos?
- The three main types of asbestos are:
o Chrysotile (White)
o Amosite (Brown)
o Crocidolite (Blue)
Less common types of asbestos include:
o Tremolite
o Actinolite
o Anthophyllite
Why was asbestos initially used?
Asbestos was used extensively in the past because of its desirable properties:
- High tensile strength.
- High thermal resistance.
- High chemical resistance.
- High electrical resistance.
- Cheap to source.
Name the typical uses of asbestos?
- Loose fill asbestos insulation within floor voids and walls
- Sprayed asbestos coatings to steel and/or concrete beams
- Asbestos pipe lagging
- Asbestos insulating boards in walls, ceilings and floors
- Asbestos tiles or tile adhesive
- Asbestos mastics
- Asbestos cement board used as roof coverings
What age of buildings may you find asbestos in?
- Used as early as 1700’s within the construction industry.
- Most prominently used between 1940-1970.
- May still be present in buildings built after 1999 if builders used remaining asbestos stock.
Why is asbestos banned?
Asbestos is banned because it poses serious health risks; There are four main there are four main diseases associated with inhalation of asbestos:
o Asbestosis (scarring to the lungs)
o Asbestos-related lung cancer
o Mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs, stomach, heart or testicles)
o Pleural thickening (thickening of the lungs membrane).
What are the different types of asbestos survey and when should each be undertaken?
- Management survey. Survey is undertaken to manage ACM’s during the normal occupation or use of the premises. The survey aims to locate ACM’s which could be damaged by normal activities or maintenance. It is not normally intrusive or destructive in nature.
- Refurbishment / demolition survey. Survey is undertaken prior to refurbishment or demolition of a premises. The survey aims to locate ACM’s which could be damaged by the proposed refurbishment or demolition works. It is normally intrusive and destructive in nature.
What is an asbestos material assessment?
- A Materials Assessment of an asbestos-containing material determines the potential for the release of asbestos fibres. The assessment requires a score to be given to four parameters:
o Product type
o Extent of damage
o Surface treatment
o Asbestos type
- The sum of the score for each parameter gives a Materials Assessment Score which shows the potential to release fibres (score below 4 = very low potential, score above 10 = high potential).
What is an asbestos management plan?
- Management plan which is produced following information gained from an asbestos survey.
- Contains the asbestos register and details strategies for managing asbestos and preventing harm to building users.
- Must be reviewed every six months or following refurbishment.
What is an asbestos register?
- A document recording the location and condition of asbestos within a property.
- Must be updated annually or more frequently if risk of deterioration is high.
What is the difference between an asbestos management plan and asbestos register?
An asbestos management plan outlines procedures for managing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a building, while an asbestos register is a detailed record of ACMs, their location, and condition.
The register is typically included within the management plan.
Outline the process for disposing of asbestos?
- Double-wrap asbestos waste with a polythene red inner bag and a polythene clear outer bag.
- Ensure a CDG (Carriage of Dangerous Goods label) is clearly visible on the outer bag.
- Complete a Waste Consignment Note which is to remain with asbestos until its final destination (disposal site).
- Take a copy of the Waste Consignment Note and retain for three years.
- Waste to be transported by a registered waste carrier.
- Waste to be disposed of at a licensed disposal site.
How do you ensure the asbestos surveyor is competent?
- Asbestos consultants are registered on the Workman LLP consultant database.
- All asbestos consultants on the database are accredited by the ‘United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)’.
What are the three categories of asbestos works?
- Licensed work
- Notifiable non-licensed work
- Non-notifiable non-licensed work
When are works classed as ‘licensed works’ and can you provide examples?
Asbestos removal work is considered “licensed work” when the risk of exposure to asbestos fibers is deemed high. This typically involves work with sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos insulation, asbestos lagging, and most work with asbestos insulating board (AIB). Licensed work requires specialized training and a license from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Worker exposure is not sporadic and of low intensity (0.6f/cm3 measured over 10 minutes).
- Risk assessment cannot demonstrate the control limit will be exceeded (0.1f/cm3 averaged over 4 hour period).
- On asbestos coating.
- On asbestos insulation or asbestos insulating board where the risk assessment cannot demonstrate the work is not of short duration (i.e. one person working for less than one hour or more than one person working for a total of less than two hours in seven consecutive days).
- Removal of asbestos sprayed coatings.
- Removal of asbestos pipe lagging.
- Removal of asbestos loose fill insulation.
- Cleaning up significant quantities of loose/fine asbestos dust.
What are the additional requirements for ‘licensed works’?
- Must be undertake by a HSE licensed asbestos contractor.
- Relevant enforcing authority must be notified at least 14 days prior to work commencement.
- ‘Certificate of Reoccupation’ issued on completion.
What is the notification period for ‘licensed works’?
- Relevant enforcing authority must be notified at least 14 days prior to work commencement.
When are works classed as ‘notifiable non-licensed works’ and can you provide examples?
- Certain types of work which are not classified as licensed but still involve working with friable or damaged asbestos will be classified as ‘notifiable non-licensed works’.
This usually applies to tasks involving asbestos-containing materials (ACM) that, while not inherently high-risk, pose a significant hazard if disturbed or damaged.
- Removal of asbestos insulating board.
- Large scale removal of decorative textured coatings.
- Removal of asbestos paper if not firmly bonded in a matrix.
What are the additional requirements for ‘notifiable non-licensed works’?
- Notify work to appropriate enforcing agency (prior to work commencement but no minimum notice period) (notify: Health and Safety Executive (HSE), local authorities, and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
- Designate asbestos work areas that are marked with suitable warning notice.
- Medical surveillance (all new workers undertaking NNLW need to have a medical exam before undertaking NNLW work and every 3 years thereafter).
- Employer to keep register of NNLW with asbestos for each employee.
