Asbestos

Presented by Craig Newsome

INTRODUCTION

• Craig Newsome• Asbestos Technical Manager• BOHS P402 – Building Surveys and Bulk sampling

for asbestos• BOHS P405 – Management of asbestos in Buildings• Licensed Asbestos Assessor (Class A)• BOHS Course Tutor & Practical Assessor

CONTENT

• Legislation Surrounding Asbestos Surveys & Training

• Asbestos Survey Types

• Surveyor Competency

Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016

• Primary regulations used to control asbestos

• These regulations, which came into force on 4 April 2016, are made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (the Act).

• Now recognises and names all six regulated asbestos types

• Defines work with asbestos

• What is ‘Asbestos related Work’?

ASBESTOS RELATED WORK – WHAT IS IT?

Work involves asbestos if the work involves manufacturing, supplying, transporting, storing, removing, using, installing, handling, treating, disposing of, or disturbing asbestos or ACM.

Anyone who works on the fabric of a building may be at risk of disturbing asbestos.

Common occupations include:

• Electricians, joiners, plumbers, gas fitters, shop fitters, heating and ventilation engineers

• labourers, roofers, plasterers and other construction workers

• phone and data engineers, alarm installers

• surveyors, general maintenance engineers, painters and decorators.

REGULATION 10: DUTY TO ENSURE ASBESTOS IDENTIFIED AT THE WORKPLACE

A PCBU with management or control of a workplace who knows or ought reasonably to know that there is a risk of exposure to respirable asbestos fibres in the workplace must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that all asbestos or ACM giving rise to the risk at the workplace is identified.

REGULATION 17: DUTY TO TRAIN WORKERS ABOUT ASBESTOS

A PCBU must ensure that workers who are engaged by the PCBU, and who the PCBU reasonably believes may be involved in asbestos removal work or in the carrying out of asbestos-related work are trained in the identification and safe handling of, and suitable control measures for,

asbestos and ACM.

REGULATION 22 & 23: DUTY TO IDENTIFY AND REMOVE ASBESTOS FROM STRUCTURE/PLANT & HOMES

(DEMOLITION)

• These regulations apply if a structure or plant/workplace or home is to be demolished.

• The PCBU with management or control of the workplace, or of the structure/plant or home, must ensure that all asbestos that is likely to be disturbed by the demolition is identified; and so far as is reasonably practicable, that the asbestos is removed before the demolition commences.

REGULATION 25 & 26: DUTY TO IDENTIFY AND REMOVE ASBESTOS FROM STRUCTURE/PLANT & HOMES

(REFURBISHMENT)

• These regulations apply if a structure or plant/workplace or home is to be refurbished.

• The PCBU with management or control of the workplace, or of the structure/plant or home, must ensure that all asbestos that is likely to be disturbed by the refurbishment is identified; and so far as is reasonably practicable, that the asbestos is removed before the refurbishment is commenced.

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS

Because asbestos is often mixed with another material, it's hard to know if you're working with it or not. But, if you work in a building built before the year 2000, it's likely that some parts of the building will contain asbestos.

Asbestos is found in many products used in buildings, including ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, boilers, walls, and sprayed coatings

ASBESTOS SURVEYS

The types of survey available, what they include, and the information gained

ASBESTOS SURVEYS

• You are likely to come across asbestos surveys when you work in buildings in NZ

• The new regulations stipulate that they are carried out, and the findings communicated to persons who could disturb the asbestos

• You need to know what they contain, and how to interpret them

COMMONLY USED TERMS

• Asbestos Assessment

• Asbestos Identification

• Asbestos Audit

• Asbestos Survey

COMMONLY USED TERMS

• Asbestos Assessment

– Visual Inspection Following Removal

• Asbestos Identification

– Visual Identification By Optical Microscopy

• Asbestos Audit

– Audit Of Previously Conducted Work

• Asbestos Survey

– Building Survey For Suspect ACM

KEY SURVEY AIMS

• To locate and record the location, extent, and product type of any known or presumed ACM’s

• Inspect and record information on the accessibility, condition and surface treatment of known or presumed ACM’s

• To determine and record the asbestos type by either sampling and analysis, or by presumption

ASBESTOS SURVEYS

• The purpose of the survey is to help manage asbestos in the PCBU’s workplace. The survey has to provide sufficient information for: an asbestos register to be prepared, a suitable risk assessment to be carried out, and a written plan to manage the risks to be produced. The process is shown schematically next.

INFORMATION TO BE RECORDED

• Accessible areas

• Inaccessible areas (presume to contain asbestos)

• Don’t work in an area that has not been accessed – it could be full of asbestos

ASBESTOS SURVEY TYPES

• Management Survey

– Previously type 1 and type 2 survey

• Refurbishment & Demolition Survey

– Previously type 3 survey

MANAGEMENT SURVEY – KEY ASPECTS

• Purpose is to locate, as far as is reasonably practicable asbestos within the premises that may be damaged or disturbed during normal occupation, and foreseeable maintenance activities

MANAGEMENT SURVEY – KEY ASPECTS

• Inspection to surface materials & accessible areas only

• Does not break into the fabric of the building

• Involves the removal of bath panels, loft hatches etc.

• Involves minor damage to décor from sampling

• Will access lofts, sub-floors, risers etc.

REFURBISHMENT & DEMOLITION SURVEY – KEY ASPECTS

• Destructive inspection to gain access to ALL areas

• Designed to locate asbestos in areas likely to be disturbed during major works

• Involves the removal of wall panels, floorboards etc.

• Involves damage to décor, and holes in partition walls, ceilings etc.

REFURBISHMENT & DEMOLITION SURVEY – INCREASED RISK

• Significant risks to surveyors and occupants

• Should not be carried out in occupied areas

• Should not be carried out in areas where services have not been isolated

• Will require PPE & RPE

• Why shouldn’t they be carried out in occupied premises?

ASBESTOS SURVEYS – INTRUSIVE INSPECTIONS

SURVEY REPORT

• Survey reports are required to be easily accessible, easy to record, and easy to update

• This is the first stage in managing the asbestos safely on site

SURVEY REPORT DETAILS

• Location

• Extent

• Product type

• Level of identification

• Asbestos type

• Recommendations

• Sample locations

• Laboratory results

• Non-asbestos materials clearly defined

Building Floor Location /Room S,P,SP,AS

Sample

No

Product Type Condition Surface

Treatment

Asbestos Type Quantity Accessibility Material

Score

Recommendation Additional Comments

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Shop Floor G01, Insulation

board panel above window

behind sales counter

S

AA000002

Asbestos

Insulating

Board

Low

Damage

Surface Sealed Chrysotile +

Amosite

2m² Usually inaccessible

or unlikely to be

disturbed

6 D - No Attention

Required, Label

N/A

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Shop Floor G01, Insulation

board panel above window to

left side of shop

SP

As

AA000002

Asbestos

Insulating

Board

Low

Damage

Surface Sealed Chrysotile +

Amosite

<1m² Usually inaccessible

or unlikely to be

disturbed

6 D - No Attention

Required, Label

Viewed from behind sales

counter

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Shop Floor G01, Insulation

board panel above front

window behind suspended

ceiling

P

Visual

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A E - Inspect Prior to

Disturbance

Unable to access beyond

suspended ceiling,

presumption based on

previously accessed

material in similar

location

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Workshop G03, Insulation

board panel above front

window beyond ceiling

P

Visual

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A E - Inspect Prior to

Disturbance

Unable to access beyond

ceiling, presumption based

on sampled material in

similiar location

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Rear entrance G05, Fuse board

backing within tall cupboard

P

Visual

Reinforced

Composite

Low

Damage

Completely

Sealed

Chrysotile 3no. Occasionally likely to

be disturbed

3 E - Inspect Prior to

Disturbance

N/A

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Rear entrance G05, Woven

flash guards within fuses

P

Visual

Asbestos

Textiles/Paper

Low

Damage

Unsealed Chrysotile 21no. Occasionally likely to

be disturbed

6 E - Inspect Prior to

Disturbance

Within tall cupboard

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Rear entrance G05, Fuse board

backing within cupboard above

doorway

P

Visual

Reinforced

Composite

Low

Damage

Completely

Sealed

Chrysotile 1no. Occasionally likely to

be disturbed

3 E - Inspect Prior to

Disturbance

N/A

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Rear entrance G05, Woven

flash guards to fuseboard

P

Visual

Asbestos

Textiles/Paper

Low

Damage

Unsealed Chrysotile 6no. Occasionally likely to

be disturbed

6 E - Inspect Prior to

Disturbance

Within cupboard above

doorway

30Fitzgerald Av

Ground

Floor

Rear entrance G05, Woven

flash guards to metal fusebox

P

Visual

Asbestos

Textiles/Paper

Low

Damage

Unsealed Chrysotile 13no. Occasionally likely to

be disturbed

6 E - Inspect Prior to

Disturbance

N/A

ASBESTOS REPORTS AND REGISTERS

• Interpreting asbestos surveys and registers is critical in planning works

• Survey reports are often out of date

• Asbestos registers should be the most up to date information

• Read all the asbestos information – it is often spread through the entire document

• Don’t rely on just one part of a report to give you the full story

SURVEYOR SELECTION

• According to guidance and the ACOP, surveys for asbestos must be undertaken by ‘Competent Persons’

• Making the right choice

SURVEY GUIDANCE – WORKSAFE –CLIENT FOCUS

• Within the latest WorkSafe guidance and ACOP, there are several sections containing information for the client. Key sections include:

• Legislation

• Identifying the presence of asbestos

• Asbestos surveys

• How to select a competent surveyor

• Contract monitoring

• What to do to check accuracy of survey reports

SURVEY GUIDANCE – WORKSAFE GUIDANCE - COMPETENCY

• Under the Asbestos Regulations, a competent person is defined as a person who has the

• knowledge,

• experience,

• skills,

• and qualifications to carry out a particular task, including any knowledge, experience, skills, and qualifications prescribed in a safe work instrument.

SURVEYOR OR ASSESSOR?

• Asbestos surveyor

– Undertakes building inspections for the presence of ACM’s

– Conducts material and priority risk assessments

– Provides remedial and management advice

• Asbestos assessor

– Conducts visual clearance inspection following asbestos removal

– Conducts clearance air monitoring post asbestos removal

SURVEY GUIDANCE – WORKSAFE GUIDANCE - COMPETENCY

• Obtaining information on the surveyor’s past experience in the type of survey planned and their capability to do the work.

• A written declaration which states that the surveyor can operate with independence impartiality and integrity and that the people carrying out the work are adequately trained for all aspects of the work taking place in the survey.

• Obtaining a copy of the professional indemnity cover – that covers the proposed work.

• Copies of their written procedures including safe operating procedures, risk assessments and safety policy may also be requested.

SURVEY GUIDANCE – WORKSAFE GUIDANCE - COMPETENCY

• An asbestos surveyor needs to have sufficient training, qualifications, knowledge, experience and ability to sample and identify asbestos

• Have sufficient knowledge of the tasks required and the risks the work will involve.

• Demonstrate independence and use a quality management system.

SURVEYOR QUALIFICATIONS?

• WorkSafe Recognized:

• British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)

• IP402 – Surveying and Sampling Strategies for Asbestos in Buildings

• W504 – Asbestos and Other Fibres

• Non-WorkSafe recognized

• RSPH Level 3 – Asbestos Surveying

WHAT IS W504?

• W504 – Asbestos and Other Fibres

• Part of the W series of occupational hygiene modules

• Intended to give a broad overview of the 5 asbestos P modules

• Not an asbestos qualification unless also holding CoCa(Certificate of Competency in Asbestos)

• Does not qualify the holder to undertake asbestos surveying or assessment

ASSESSOR QUALIFICATIONS?

• WorkSafe Recognized:

• British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)

• IP404 – Surveying and Sampling Strategies for Asbestos in Buildings

• WorkSafe Asbestos Assessor License (Class A)

• Non-WorkSafe Recognized

• RSPH Level 3 – Asbestos Air Monitoring and Clearance

SURVEY GUIDANCE – WORKSAFE GUIDANCE - COMPETENCY

• Clear guidance for clients on competency, while not yet a regulation, it talks about:

• The accreditation of the organisation (ISO/IEC 17020) or person (ISO/IEC 17024) and any relevant asbestos survey qualifications.

• People in control of a place of work should request details of the surveyor’s qualifications and training and references of similar work, if the surveyor cannot demonstrate competence through current accreditation.

WHAT IS ISO 17020?

• Accreditation by IANZ for building inspections for the purposes of asbestos surveying and sampling

• Demonstrates quality management system

• Requires 5% re-inspections as a minimum

• Demonstrates independence and impartiality

• Demonstrates competency

• Assessment includes live field assessment

Thank you.