Duty to Manage AsbestosDuty to Manage Asbestos(an Inspector’s View)(an Inspector’s View)

• David Price• HM Inspector of H&S• HSE Birmingham Office

What is asbestos?What is asbestos?• Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral.• Three most common found forms:• crocidolite (‘blue asbestos’);• amosite (‘brown asbestos’);• chrysotile (‘white asbestos’).

• Has many uses:• fire proofing;• insulation.

• But can be deadly.

Asbestos-related diseasesAsbestos-related diseases

• Asbestosis.• Lung cancer.• Mesothelioma.• Cancer of the larynx.• Together with: • asbestos warts;• pleural plaques;• benign pleural effusions; and• pleural thickening.

The problemThe problem

• Asbestos is the biggest occupational health problem ever encountered in the UK.

• Between 1950s and 1980s asbestos used extensively in UK as building materials.

• Thousands of tonnes of asbestos still remaining in buildings.

• About half a million commercial premises may contain asbestos.

The problem (cont.)The problem (cont.)

• 25% of people now dying from asbestos-related diseases once worked in the building trades.

• Pre-1998 Asbestos Regulations were aimed at those working in asbestos factories and for asbestos removers.

• The Regulations did not cover those people who could come into contact with asbestos accidentally.

Who are these people?Who are these people?

• Heating and ventilation engineers.

• Roofing contractors.• Fire and burglar alarm

installers.• General maintenance

staff.• Electricians. • Plumbers.

• Carpenters and joiners.

• Plasterers.• Gas fitters.• Cable layers.• Demolition workers.• Painters and

decorators.

Examples of ACMsExamples of ACMs

• Sprayed coatings and laggings.• Insulating board & millboard. • Composite materials (tiles, brake linings etc) .• Textiles (fire blankets etc)• Paper (for electrical insulation), felts and

cardboard.• Asbestos cement• Various reinforced building products and

decorative textured coatings .

What premises may contain What premises may contain asbestos?asbestos?

• Answer… any type (pre-2000)

• Shops.• Factories.• Offices.• Farms.• Hospitals.• Domestic premises.

Where asbestos is foundWhere asbestos is found

A new duty to manage A new duty to manage asbestosasbestos

• Introduced as a new Regulation 4 in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.

• Focus on a duty to manage the risk from asbestos in premises.

• Introduced a new Approved Code of Practice to back up Regulation 4 and provide guidance to the designated duty holders.

Finding out if asbestos is Finding out if asbestos is presentpresent

• Take reasonable steps to identify ACMs in a building by:• looking at building plans etc;• consulting others eg architects, employees;

and• carrying out a thorough search of the

premises.

Inspection/survey optionsInspection/survey options

• Presume asbestos:• carry out own inspection;• engage others to undertake survey; or

• Establish identity by sampling; or• Conclude it’s not asbestos (requires strong

evidence); or• A combination of all of the above.

Engaging a competent Engaging a competent surveyorsurveyor

• Need evidence of training and experience:• employed by accredited organisation?• individual surveyor certified?• other possible alternative criteria.

• Confirm work to be carried out in accordance with MDHS 100.

• Evidence of suitable liability insurance.

The asbestos recordThe asbestos record• Prepare a record of the survey results in a

suitable format to include:• location and condition of the identified

materials;• location of known non-asbestos materials; and• areas not accessed.

• Needs to be a living document reviewed and updated regularly.

Assess the risk from ACMsAssess the risk from ACMs• Material assessment:• type of asbestos;• product type; and• present condition.

• Priority risk assessment:• determine human exposure potential:• number of occupants;• frequency use of area;• level of maintenance.

The management plan optionsThe management plan options

• If asbestos in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed:• leave it in place; and• introduce a management system.

• If asbestos in poor condition:• seal it or enclose it; or• remove it using licensed contractors.

The management planThe management plan

• Plan will need to prioritise the need for any remedial work.

• Detail the arrangements for managing remaining ACMs, including identifying personnel to oversee the plan.

Supporting guidance

www.hse.gov.uk

HSE Infoline 08701-545500