Working with asbestos

Do:

• Stop and ask if you are suspicious something may be asbestos or if you think the work might need to be carried out by a licensed contractor.

• Follow the plan of work and the task guidance sheets make sure you use the right sheet for the job

  • Make sure you take account of other risks such as work at height

  • Use your protective equipment, including a suitable face mask, worn properly

  • Clean up as you go - stop waste building up

  • Make sure waste is double-bagged and is disposed of properly at a licensed tip

  • Wash before breaks and going home

  • Check whether the work should be notified.

  • Make sure you have been properly trained before you start

Don't:

• Use methods that create a lot of dust, like using power tools

• Sweep up dust and debris - use a Type H vacuum cleaner or wet rags

• Take home overalls used for asbestos work

• Reuse disposable clothing or masks

• Smoke

• Eat or drink in the work area

What should those in charge of the job do?

They must:

• Find out if asbestos-containing materials are present and plan the work to avoid disturbing these materials if possible

• Ensure that anyone who is going to work on asbestos material is trained properly and is supervised

• Know what work can be carried out on asbestos-containing materials.

• Take account of other risks as well as asbestos, eg work at height, and take the precautions necessary to do the job safely

• Use the equipment and method sheets and the right task sheet to make sure that the job is carried out properly and that exposure to asbestos is kept as low as possible

• Prepare a plan of work, explaining what the job involves, the work procedures, and what controls to use

• Provide you with the right equipment, which is clean, in good working order, and protects you against asbestos

• Train you in using this equipment

• Make sure the work area is inspected visually at the end of the job, to check it's fit for reoccupation

• Make arrangements for the safe disposal of any asbestos waste

• Consult the Health and Safety representative (if there is one)

What does the law require?

There are a number of sets of regulations, which cover work with all types of asbestos-containing material; they place duties on 'dutyholders'employers and the self employed.

In practice the changes are fairly limited. They mean that some types of non-licensed work with asbestos now have additional requirements, i.e. notification of work, medical surveillance and record keeping. All other requirements remain unchanged.

These Requirements Are

• If existing asbestos containing materials are in good condition and are not likely to be damaged, they may be left in place; their condition monitored and managed to ensure they are not disturbed.

• If you're responsible for maintenance of non-domestic premises, you have a duty to manage the asbestos in them, to protect anyone using or working in the premises from the risks to health that exposure to asbestos causes.

• If you want to do any building or maintenance work in premises, or on plant or equipment that might contain asbestos, you need to identify where it is and its type and condition; assess the risks, and manage and control these risks.

• The requirements for licensed work remain the same: in the majority of cases, work with asbestos needs to be done by a licensed contractor. This work includes most asbestos removal, all work with sprayed asbestos coatings and asbestos lagging and most work with asbestos insulation and asbestos insulating board (AIB).

• If you are carrying out non-licensed asbestos work, this still requires effective controls.

• The control limit for asbestos is 0.1 asbestos fibres per cubic centimetre of air (0.1 f/cm3). The control limit is not a 'safe' level and exposure from work activities involving asbestos must be reduced to as far below the control limit as possible.

• Training is mandatory for anyone liable to be exposed to asbestos fibres at work. This includes maintenance workers and others who may come into contact with or disturb asbestos (e.g. cable installers), as well as those involved in asbestos removal work.