Training
Anyone who is in contact or working on asbestos should be trained, this includes employers training staff as they work in conjunction with the asbestos in the building. This training should include:
- knowing the properties and types of products of asbestos
- operations which can increase exposure
- safe work practices
- use of respiratory equipment
- emergency procedures
- hygiene requirements
- decontamination procedures
- waste handling procedures
- medical examination requirements
- the control limit of asbestos
This training can be received though Health and Safety (HSE) compliant providers accredited by bodies like the UK Asbestos training association or the Independent Asbestos Training providers.
For anyone who needs to complete asbestos awareness training (anyone working in conjunction) needs to complete Category A training, which could include up to 2 hours of online courses.
While anyone completing non-licensed asbestos work needs to complete Category B training which is typically a full day in person course.
Emergency safety procedures
What you should do just in case of emergency exposure.
| Level of exposure |
What to do |
| Light debris and/or dust |
- Stay put and avoid inhaling dust, Put on Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) if possible, and wipe outer clothing with a wet rag.
- Remove the layer of clothing and move away from the source
- Ensure items are visible clean, if not use the damp rag again.
- Decide if a shower is needed to remove any remain debris from the person.
- Put contaminated clothes, rags and anything else involved in the clean-up in asbestos waste bags.
- Either send them to get cleaned professionally cleaned by an asbestos cleaner or dispose of them.
- Keep a record of the event.
|
| Heavy debris and/or dust |
- Stay put and avoid inhaling dust, put on RPE if possible, and damp outer clothing.
- Remove the outer clothing and move away from the source.
- Seek help, that person should then put on Personal protective equipment (PPE) or RPE before entering the area.
- Damp all contaminated items (including person) until visibly clean.
- Decide if a shower is necessary.
- Put contaminated clothes. Towels into an asbestos waste bag and dispose.
|
HSE guidance on what to do if you discover or accidentally disturb asbestos during your work.
The use of control measures
Employers and contractors should have procedures in place to ensure that control measures are used properly and are not made less effective by other work practices or machinery. All risk and management plans should be kept to and training provided. This is to ensure that the control measures remain viable and the risk to human health is not increased.
Some other things to take note of:
- RPE should never be taken off and put down in contaminated areas. It should also not be hung around the neck or allowed to come into contact with contaminated clothing.
- RPE and protective clothing should be removed at the end of each working period, cleaned, and kept in a storage place specifically for that purpose, which is clean.
- Once disposable RPE and protective clothing are used it should be treated as asbestos waste.
Maintenance of control measures
It is important to make note that any risk assessments or renovation procedures should make it clear what control measures require maintenance and when/how they should be carried out. Maintenance is usually required for:
- enclosures
- hygiene facilities
- vacuum cleaners
- air extraction equipment
- wet injection equipment
- disposable and non-disposable RPE, including storage.
With enclosures employers, contractors or employees should ensure that:
- the integrity of the air locks remains consistent
- defects are repaired immediately
- air extraction equipment is operated while work is being carried out, during breaks, and for at least one hour after each shift
- air monitoring is taking place
- viewing panels are maintained/cleaned to ensure visibility
- appropriate barriers are maintained on open sites
When creating provisions to protect those in contact with or working on asbestos it is crucial to follow these provisions:
- That there is a record of inspections, checks and repairs which should be kept on site for inspection.
- Showers should provide enough water at a reasonable temperature and pressure to allow for through decontamination. (Blocked systems and alternate water temperatures are not acceptable).
- Waste bags must be inspected regularly to see if it needs to be emptied. (This should be done under strict controlled conditions to prevent contamination).
- When providing protective clothing, the clothing must: Fit the wearer, be loose enough to avoid straining and ripping the seams, be comfortable enough to allow for the effects of physical strain, be suitable for cold environments, prevent penetration of asbestos fibres, be elasticated at the cuffs, ankles, and on the hood of overalls and designed to ensure a close fit at the wrist, ankles, face and neck, the item should not have any pockets or other attachments which should attract and trap dust and finally, be easy to decontaminate or dispose of.
- Wellington boots are preferable as they are easier to clean. Lace- up footwear will trap asbestos fibres and should not be worn.
Moving on, it is important that there is relevant washing and changing facilities for after contamination. Here are some key points relating to this matter:
- In an enclosure is being used then the main hygiene facilities should be connected to the enclosure, if not decontamination should occur in another hygiene room which should then be thoroughly cleaned afterwards.
- After primary decontamination in the airlock, protective clothing including footwear should be removed at the dirty end of the hygiene facilities. If the hygiene facilities are not connected then, employers will need to provide additional overalls for employees to wear after preliminary decontamination has taken place to allow for transfer to final decontamination at main hygiene facilities.
- Suitable facilities should always be provided including toilet facilities, facilities for washing and changing, and an area to eat and drink.
Additional Health and safety when working on asbestos
When looking at health and safety when working on asbestos it is important to acknowledge the legislation around who has the responsibility for a safe and practical working environment. The health and safety at work etc act states that:
- It is the duty of the employer to ensure the health and safety of employees (section 2).
- Employers and those who are self-employed should provide the safety of people other than their employees (section 3).
- Employers should be concerned with persons other than their employees (meaning contractors and other relevant persons) (section 4).
Exposure records should be kept by employers. Where employees are under medical surveillance, these records need to be kept for up to 40 years. In addition to this, records or air monitoring or a suitable summery must be kept for five years.
Medical surveillance must also include:
- a medical examination not more than 2 years before the beginning of such exposure
- periodic examinations at intervals of at least once every 2 years of such a shorter time as the relevant doctor may require while such exposure continues
