ASBESTOS RISK MANAGEMENT

u Asbestos. u The health risk. u In buildings. u Background to regulation. u Outline of duty to manage. u Review of consultation. Summary

u Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that can be separated into fibres. u The fibres are strong durable and resistant to heat and fire. They are also long thin and flexible so that they can be woven into cloth. u Because of these qualities asbestos has been used in thousands of consumer, industrial maritime automotive scientific and building products. u During the twentieth century some 30 million tonnes of asbestos were used in industrial sites schools shipyards and commercial buildings. What is asbestos

u It is of two principal classes the amphiboles and the serpentines the former of relatively minor importance. u Chrysotile is in the serpentine class and constitutes about 95% of the worlds supply of asbestos, of which three quarters is mined in Quebec. u Other large deposits exist is South Africa. What is asbestos

u Brown or grey straight fibres. u Belongs in the amphibole group and contains iron and magnesium. AMOSITE (Brown)

u A white curly fibres accounts for 95% of asbestos in products. u It is a member of the serpentine group. It is magnesium silicate. CHRYSOTILE (WHITE)

u Amphibole group. u Takes the form of blue straight fibres. u It is a sodium iron magnesium silicate. CROCIDOLITE (BLUE)

u Over 3000 people a year die from asbestos related diseases. u There is usually along delay between the first exposure and subsequent symptoms of the disease. u Between 15 and 60 years. The problem

u ASBESTOSIS u a scarring of the lung that leads to breathing problems. u Workers who have had high long exposures are often affected with asbestosis. u MESOTHELIOMA u is a malignant form of lung cancer that affects the cells that form the lining around the outside of the lungs. Asbestos related disease

u Between the 1950s and 1970s asbestos was used widely in the UK as building materials. u Thousands of tonnes of asbestos are still in buildings today. u Over 1.5 million buildings still contain some form of asbestos. The problem

u 25 % of people still dying from asbestos related disease once worked in the construction industry. u Pre 1988 the Asbestos Regulations were aimed at those working in asbestos factories and for asbestos removal contractors. u The regulations did not cover those who might come into contact with asbestos accidentally. The problem

u Heating and ventilation engineers. u Roofing contractors. u Electricians. u Joiners. u Plumbers. u Gas fitters. u Demolition workers. Who are these people

u The 1998 Amendment of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations: u extended there scope to cover incidental exposure,and, u made it clear that CAWR applied to all workers who might come into contact with asbestos. u The 1998 Amendment to the Asbestos (licensing) Regulations. u The 1999 Asbestos (prohibitions)Regulations What have we done already

u Contractors not aware that they were working on asbestos materials. u No one was managing the risk from asbestos in buildings. A part of the jigsaw is still missing

u Removal of all asbestos containing materials from buildings. u Introduction of a single duty to survey for asbestos. u Introduction of new regulation to manage the risk from asbestos. Options

u N O u Asbestos can serve a useful purpose e.g fire protection. NO RISK. u If in good condition,and in a position where it cannot be damaged or disturbed, it poses NO RISK. u Removal would be prohibitively expensive. u Disposal of waste would generate immediate problems. u Removing asbestos creates an additional unnecessary risk for removers. Remove all asbestos ?

u N O u Only the first step. Resources are better spent on managing the risk. u Practical difficulties e.g who would undertake the survey and who would pay? u Survey information goes out of date. The condition of asbestos materials deteriorates. A single duty to survey

u Y ES u Introduces it as a new regulation in the CAWR u To focus on a duty to manage the risk from asbestos in buildings. u A new ACOP to back up regulations and provide guidance to the designated duty holders. A new duty to manage risk ?

u Take reasonable steps to identify asbestos containing materials in buildings by: u Looking at plans etc, u Consultation of others e.g. architects employees etc. u Carrying out a detailed inspections of the building. Duty holder to

u TYPE 1 u Location and assessment survey (presumptive survey). u Assess the presence of ACMs. u Any materials which can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos will be presumed to contain asbestos. Types of survey

u TYPE 2 u Full access sampling and identification survey(sampling survey). u As type 1. u Samples are collected an analysed for the presence of ACMs. Types of survey

u TYPE 3 u Full access sampling and identification survey (pre/demolition or refurbishment). u Access all areas. u May involve destructive inspection. Types of survey

u Assess the risk from materials. u If asbestos is in good condition. 4 Leave it in place and introduce a management system. u If its in poor condition. 4 Encapsulate or seal it or removal by licensed contractors. Duty holder to

u Prepare a management plan and, u Where materials are to remain in the building u Inform others of condition and locations ACMs. u Carry out regular inspections on ACMs condition. u Review and revise management plan as needed. Duty holder to

u Survey report. u Risk assessments. u Management plan. u Paper and computer based. u Ease of updating. u Arrangements for long term storage of records. u Determine who will need access. Record keeping

u Fits with other systems. u Permit to work. u Strict control of contractors operations. u Mentioned in emergency and contingency procedures. u Arrangements for monitoring and reviewing plan. Maintenance of Management Plan

u Consultation took place in u Encouraged review of two primary areas. u Exactly who will be duty holder. u Which buildings the propped regulations cover. Review of consultation

u The employer in occupation. u Legal duties placed on others. u Where u The workplace and the common areas in rented accommodation. u This extends to some domestic premises. Who has a duty

u The need to consult timetable u Supporting Guidance u ACOP will give guidance on u Identifying asbestos maintaining a register. u Assessing the risk. u Preparing an action plan. u Setting up suitable management systems. Further Consultation

u Spray coatings. u Pipe insulation. u A.I.B u Cement products. u Composite materials. u Textured coatings. u Sandwich materials. Asbestos Materials

u Roof and exterior walls. u Boilers and pipework. u Ceilings. u Flooring materials. u Air ducting. u Domestic appliances. Typical Locations

u 1970 end use of Crocodile. u 1974 end use of sprayed coatings. u 1985 end use of AIB. u 1993 end of manufacture of roofing felt. u 1999 end use of cement, gaskets, friction materials. Dates of Usage

You don’t have to be Einstein to understand and appreciate the benefits of managing asbestos in buildings