Manage the 'silent killer'
December 1st 2006 Asbestos is one of the largest occupational health risks facing the UK at present, with the 'silent killer' estimated to be responsible for 4000 deaths each year. The extent of the risk has led to stringent regulations regarding the safe removal of such materials; with work on asbestos insulation, coatings, and insulating board confined to contractors specifically licensed to undertake the work. The Health and Safety Executive has introduced new Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR 2006) with a view to streamlining and simplifying UK law by allowing additional forms of asbestos to be removed by nonlicensed contractors. The emphasis is now on employing contractors with the required level of training so that health and safety remains the prime concern. Here, John Evans, Training and Consultancy Director of National Britannia's Asbestos Division, explains the changes in legislation and their implications on 'duty premises holders' According to the new regulations which came into force on 13 November, contractors will no longer need to be licensed when undertaking removal work in cases where exposure is deemed 'sporadic and low intensity'. This occurred following HSE research which showed that exposure experienced during work with asbestos containing textured coatings is less of a risk than first envisaged. The report estimated that the risks with such materials were a thousand times less than those associated with other licensable materials, such as asbestos insulation and sprayed coatings, and lower also than those linked to asbestos cement, which doesn't require a license. The revised regulations strengthen overall worker protection by reducing exposure limits and introducing mandatory training for anyone likely to be exposed to asbestos. As such, premises duty holders will now have responsibility to ensure that all contractors working with these 'lower risk asbestos materials' are trained to the appropriate standard, regardless of whether or not they are licensed. Crucially, the onus will still be on duty holders to obtain appropriate advice on the exact nature of the material they're dealing with. Failure to do so, could lead to legal comebacks and financial costs if health and safety regulations are breached by inadequately trained removal operatives. Premises duty holders also have a responsibility to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to manage any asbestos materials present in the building for which they are responsible. This will involve a number of measures included in an Asbestos Management Plan. Firstly, they will need to ensure that reasonable efforts have been made to identify whether any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) are present in the building. This can be established by studying existing information or by implementing an appropriate survey. Following this, an assessment of the risk associated with the presence of the ACMs will need to take place. The results would then need to be communicated to all those who may come into contact with the ACMs. These may include employees, contractors or the public depending on the establishment. In order to continuously control the risk of exposure and the condition of the ACMs, it is essential that this is monitored on a periodic basis. In most cases, this would take place each year. However, if the location presents a higher risk of exposure, this would require that checks take place more frequently. The final responsibility which falls upon the 'duty holder' is to ensure that any work directly undertaken on ACMs is carried out by trained personnel, who are aware of the controls which must be used to ensure that neither themselves nor others are exposed to elevated levels of airborne asbestos fibres. In light of the new regulations, National Britannia recently established a specialist skills training centre. It provides contractors with the necessary training in accordance with the new regulations and other guidance including the specific methods outlined in the HSE Guidance Note HSG 210, the Asbestos Essentials – Task Manual. Courses cover asbestos training from a theoretical and practical angle, with a greater emphasis on hands-on activities customised to the trainee's requirements. Included are mock-up scenarios and role plays, which focus on identifying the nature of the asbestos materials, establishing the most likely location of materials and preventing the spread of airborne fibres to reduce the risk of exposure by utilising safe working techniques. More articles from National Britannia Group: | 
