Asbestos

Question 1

What is asbestos

Answer 1

Group of fibrous silicate materials. Asbestos fibres are strong, heat and chemical resistant and do not dissolve in water or evaporate.
Three main types are Crocidolite (blue, used to insulate steam engines, spray on coating), Amosite (brown, cement sheets, pipe insulation, insulating board), Chrysotile (white, roofs, ceilings, walls, floors).

Question 2

Discuss the use of asbestos in the construction industry and the dangers it poses. (15 marks)

Answer 2

Asbestos is commonly used for spray coatings, pipe insulation, asbestos insulating board, asbestos cement and asbestos textiles, due to it being a fire protectant and insulating. it can be found almost all over a building, including roofing, ceilings, window panels and even toilet cisterns.
Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, over 107,000 lives a year, with no known cures.
Breathing asbestos fibres can cause: asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and pleural plaques. Handling it can cause asbestos warts.
Asbestosis is scarring of the lung tissue, which decreases lung volume and restricts breathing, occasionally fatal.
Lung cancer is malignant tumour of the lungs air passages, can take 20 years to develop, normally fatal.
Mesothelioma is cancer of the cells around the lungs and inside the ribs, almost always fatal.

Question 3

Describe the role of the duty holder under CAR 2012 and discuss the responsibilities they have under the duty to manage (10 marks)

Answer 3

The control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 governs any activity with asbestos in the work-place. It enforces a ‘duty to manage’ and outlines what risk assessments should be undertaken and what precautions should be used. The duty holder could be an employer, landlord or a combination. They are responsible to implement a management plan from a survey and maintain an Asbestos register. They must ensure that this information is available to those contracted to carry out works. They must take reasonable steps to find it and check its condition, presume materials contain it unless there is strong evidence against it, keep an up-to-date written record of the location and condition, asses the risk of exposure to asbestos-containing materials and prepare and put into effect a plan to manage the risk.

Question 4

Discuss the steps set out by HSE to manage asbestos in buildings (20 marks)

Answer 4

1. Find out if asbestos is present. If the building was built or refurbished before 2000, assume asbestos is present.
2. Assess the condition of any ACMs. Assess the amount and condition, tells you how likely they are to release asbestos fibres into the air.
3. Survey and sample of asbestos. Have a suitably trained person to conduct a survey. Have the materials analysed to prove if asbestos is present and what type it is. The survey should consist of risk scores of asbestos materials and recommendations, photographs and plans, sample analysis report, recommendations, an indication of what was and wasn’t included in the survey.
4. Keep a written record or register. Write down the ACMs you have found, where they are and their conditions. Record the roles and responsibilities for managing it in your organisation.
5. Act on your findings. Plan should include passing on your asbestos register to any worker carrying out maintenance work. Assess potential risks, draw up a priority plan.
6. Keep your records up to date. Regularly reinspect any ACMs in your premises and update your records. Monitor and review the effectiveness of your action plan.

Removal: asbestos insulation and coatings normally need to be carried out by a licensed contractor after notifying the HSE.
Non-licensable work, for all other materials and after a suitable risk assessment can be done with all appropriate PPE, training, method statement and right tools and insurance.