Asbestos

If you own, occupy or have management responsibilities for a premises then you have either:

•  A duty to manage possible asbestos containing materials
•  A duty to comply with the person who holds this duty.

These new Regulations appear to be very unforgiving, where business’ are concerned.  However, these Regulations ensure the continued healthy lives of today’s employees and contractors.  Between 1968 & 1998 over 50,000 people died of asbestos related diseases.  

By complying with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations you are protecting your and others health, lives, and your company against any future compensation claims.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance notes for companies undertaking asbestos surveys.  MDHS100 states that surveyors should hold relevant qualifications and experience, and be able to demonstrate independence, impartiality and integrity.

SHE Knows, can deliver Asbestos Awareness Training Sessions to allow you and your staff to comply with the above duties.

Surveyors & Trainers are;

• Trained to the P402 qualification, accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)
• Equipped with full risk control equipment; should asbestos be found that is creating an immediate danger to health.
• Licensed to carry asbestos waste.
• Able to decontaminate construction equipment, e.g. scaffolding.
• Fully insured.
• Not linked to any asbestos removal company, so will offer impartial advice and recommendation.
• Experienced in third party supervision of asbestos removal, to ensure the client’s duty of care is upheld and business risk is reduced.
• Experienced in the formulation of a clients asbestos management plan.
• Laboratory services are UKAS  accredited.

Asbestos Surveys

There are 3 types of asbestos survey; surveyors will advise you on the type of survey you require.  Surveys can be done out of hours, should you not wish to disturb your business.  As we operate a variety of health and safety services, dealing with your asbestos survey can be done discretely and without fuss.

• Type 1 = A presumptive survey, where many materials are presumed to contain asbestos.  No samples are taken, so keeping costs down.  This leads to a comprehensive management plan being instigated by the duty owner.
• Type 2 = Samples are taken and analysed at the laboratory.  The identified asbestos is risk assessed by the surveyor in order to assist the duty-holder fulfil his obligations.  Areas that are inaccessible to the surveyor will be presumed to have asbestos containing materials inside.
• Type 3 = A destructive survey where samples are taken from every material that could possibly contain asbestos, e.g. pipes, inside voids.  These surveys usually precede scheduled works such as demolition or major refurbishment.

Finding Asbestos

Asbestos can be found in a variety of materials, from its most friable form in insulation to relatively low risk compounds such as resins.  Further examples are:

• Artex                      
• Insulation                                                    
• Pipe lagging
• Ceiling & floor tiles
• Concrete roofing                                                                                    
• Plaster
• Paper                                                                                                                                  
• Roofing felt
• Gaskets & ropes
• Guttering & down pipes
• Soffits                                              
• Fire doors

Dealing with Asbestos                                                          

On locating asbestos containing materials, what are your options?  More often than not, asbestos can be managed and not removed.  Simply by making people aware of its presence is the first step in ensuring that employees or trades men do not inadvertently release asbestos fibres into the air when they work.