Asbestos Awareness Bradford Area Occupational Health and Safety Forum Risk Assessment & Web Application

Aim of today’s presentation To provide a (very brief!) introduction to the hazards of asbestos To provide an overview of the legal framework governing asbestos risk assessment To illustrate the main principles of asbestos risk assessment To raise awareness of the HSE Asbestos Web Application

What is Asbestos? Collective name for several types of naturally occurring fibrous silicate materials Has many useful physical and chemical properties Historically, has had many applications within industry

What are the risks? When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibers are released into the air. When these fibers are inhaled they can cause serious diseases Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year, this is  more than the number of people killed on the road. Around 20 tradespersons die each week as a result of past exposure

Asbestos-Related Diseases Mesothelioma - cancer which affects the lining of the lungs the lower digestive tract – usually fatal Asbestos-related lung cancer – usually fatal Asbestosis - serious scarring of the lung – in severe cases can be fatal. Pleural thickening - The lining of the lung thickens and swells. Can cause shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest.

Where do I find asbestos? Sprayed coatings on ceilings and walls In asbestos cement In asbestos insulting board In fire doors, floor tiles and fire blankets

Some Relevant Legal Provisions Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Duty to Manage Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Regulation 4) find out whether the premises contains asbestos, and, if so, its location and condition assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified make a plan to manage that risk and act on it provide this information to other employers (eg building contractors)

Duty to Risk Assess Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Regulation 6) Duty to Assess: Before carrying out work likely to result in exposure to asbestos conduct a risk assessment of the work and identify necessary controls Record the findings Implement the controls

How do I risk assess asbestos? Specify: Where asbestos is located and its type How much there is What condition it is in What controls are needed to manage it and protect persons who may be exposed to it An asbestos survey is NOT a legal requirement but can help you prepare your assessment

How do I risk assess asbestos? Things to consider when assessing risk from asbestos? Is it likely to be disturbed? Is there easy access to it? It is vulnerable to damage? Is maintenance, repair or other type of work likely to be carried out in its vicinity? The aim is to identify how the asbestos is going to be managed and how any work on it is going to be managed

How do I risk assess work involving asbestos? Specify: full details of the work to be undertaken and duration details of the type and quantity of the asbestos details of the expected level of exposure details of the controls to be used to reduce exposure details on how asbestos waste will be managed emergency procedures

How do I control exposure? Controls may include: Local Exhaust Ventilation Segregation of Work Area Safe Systems of Work Training & Supervision RPE & PPE The controls will depend on the nature of the work, the condition of the asbestos, and its type

HSE Asbestos Web App What is the web app? Works like a smart phone app and is adapted to fit a phone, tablet or computer. Takes the user through a simple decision matrix based upon the type of building, task and asbestos User then presented with a simple task sheet based on the information in Asbestos Essentials Aimed at tradespersons

HSE Asbestos Web App Can be downloaded from www.beware-asbestos.info/01

Further Information Asbestos section on HSE website www.hse.gov.uk

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