WORKING WITH ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL

Transcription

1 WORKING WITH ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL

2 Health ad Safety Cotets List of abbreviatios 4 Workig with ACMS: Guidace map 5 Chapter 1 A itroductio to workig with asbestos-cotaiig materials (ACMs) 7 Chapter 2 Liceces for work with ACMs 28 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Risk assessmets, plas of work ad otificatios for work with ACMs 38 Traiig for employees, supervisors ad others workig with ACMs 54 Chapter 5 PPE for work with ACMs 75 Chapter 6 Eclosures for work with ACMs 87 Chapter 7 Cotrolled techiques for the removal ad repair of ACMs, icludig waste disposal 111 Chapter 8 Decotamiatio 156 Refereces ad further iformatio 178 This guidace is issued by the Health ad Safety. Followig the guidace is ot compulsory ad you are free to take other actio. But if you do follow the guidace you will ormally be doig eough to comply with the law. Health ad safety ispectors seek to secure compliace with the law ad may refer to this guidace as illustratig good practice. Asbestos: The licesed cotractors guide Page 3 of 181

3 Health ad Safety List of abbreviatios ACAD Asbestos Cotrol ad Abatemet Divisio (see Appedix 1.1) ACOP Approved Code of Practice ACM Asbestos-cotaiig material AIB Asbestos isulatig board ALG Asbestos liaiso group ALH Acillary licese holder ALPI Asbestos Licesig Pricipal Ispector ALU Asbestos Licesig Uit ARCA Asbestos Removal Cotractors Associatio (see Appedix 1.1) ATAC Asbestos Testig ad Cosultig (see Appedix 1.1) ASLIC Asbestos Licesig Regulatios 1983 BA Breathig apparatus BOHS British Occupatioal Hygiee Society (see Appedix 1.1) CABA Compressed airlie breathig apparatus CAWR Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios 2002 CDG Carriage of Dagerous Goods ad Use of Trasportable Pressure Receptacles Regulatios 2004 CDM Costructio (Desig ad Maagemet) Regulatios 1994 COSHH Cotrol of Substaces Hazardous to Health Regulatios 2002 (as ameded) CSCS Costructio Skills Certificatio scheme DCU Decotamiatio uit (also called Hygiee facilities ad Hygiee uit ) DOP Dioctyl phthalate (test) EA Eviromet Agecy EMAS Employmet Medical Advisory Service HSE Health ad Safety HSWA The Health ad Safety at Work etc Act 1974 IEE Istitutio of Electrical Egieers LARC Licesed asbestos removal cotractor LEV Local exhaust vetilatio LPG Liquid petroleum gas MCG Mai Cotractors Group NPU Negative pressure uit NVQ Natioal Vocatioal Qualificatio PAS Publicly Available Specificatio PF Protectio factor POW Pla of work PPE Persoal protective equipmet PVA Polyviyl acetate PVC Polyviyl chloride RA Risk assessmet RCD Residual curret device RPE Respiratory protective equipmet SCBA Self-cotaied breathig apparatus SEPA Scottish Eviromet Protectio Agecy SLH Supervisory licese holder TNA Traiig eeds aalysis TWA Time weighted average UKAS Uited Kigdom Accreditatio Service Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 4 of 181

4 Health ad Safety Workig with ACMS: Guidace map This Guidace map provides a quick referece guide to specific topics ad key issues i this guide. The items are idetified by paragraph umbers. Plaig for asbestos removal work Topic Key issues Referece Licece to work with asbestos Asbestos removal workers Plaig for asbestos work Whe is a licece required? Paras Types of liceces Paras How to obtai a licece Paras Eforcemet Paras Hirig of employees Paras Cosultatio with employees Paras Traiig Paras ad Appedices Medical surveillace Paras Persoal exposure moitorig Paras Respiratory protective equipmet Selectio Paras Fit testig Paras Care ad maiteace Paras Coveralls Selectio ad use Paras Lauderig Paras Risk assessmets Paras Pla of work Paras Notificatios/waivers Paras Site preparatio Paras Paperwork required o site Para 3.45 Stadard of equipmet Box 7.1 Eclosures Eclosures: Whe required Paras Asbestos removal/repair Costructio Paras Desig Paras Site preparatio ad pre-clea Paras Negative pressure uits Paras Testig ad moitorig Paras Smoke tests Paras Viewig paels Para 6.23 Air moitorig Para 6.56 Dismatlig ad disposal Paras Emergecy procedures Paras Pre-cleaig Paras Strippig techiques Paras Cleaig ad waste disposal Paras Four-stage clearace Paras Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 5 of 181

5 Health ad Safety Decotamiatio Types of decotamiatio uit Paras Desig criteria for decotamiatio uits Appedix 8.1 Procedures Paras ad Figures Decotamiatio uit services Para Maiteace ad cleaig Paras Showerig ad lauderig Paras Clearace of decotamiatio uit Paras Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 6 of 181

6 Health ad Safety Chapter 1: A itroductio to workig with asbestoscotaiig materials (ACMs) Summary Asbestos exposure causes severe ad fatal diseases. Oly work o asbestos if absolutely ecessary. Asbestos work should be strictly cotrolled ad comply with the legislatio. Poorly cotrolled work will produce very high fibre levels. Asbestos medical examiatios are required whe exposure exceeds the actio level for asbestos fibres. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 7 of 181

7 Health ad Safety Cotets Itroductio 9 About this guidace 9 Who is the guidace for? 10 How to use this guidace 10 Cosultig employees 10 Health effects ad exposure 11 What are asbestos diseases? 11 Workig practices ad exposure 13 Air moitorig 14 Legal requiremets 16 The Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios The Asbestos (Licesig) Regulatios 1983 (as ameded) 18 Maagemet of asbestos 18 Is asbestos removal ecessary? 18 Medical examiatio of asbestos removal workers uder CAWR Status of the medical examiatio ad certificate of examiatio 19 Risk assessmet of the work coditios 19 Whe is a medical required? 20 How ofte is the medical examiatio carried out? 20 The purpose of the examiatio 20 Who carries out the medical examiatio? 20 The cotet of the medical examiatio 21 Certificate of examiatio 21 Appedix 1.1 Materials idetified as cotaiig asbestos 22 Appedix 1.2 Sprayed asbestos coatigs ad pipe ad vessel isulatio i poor coditio 23 Appedix 1.3 AIB ad isulatig blocks i poor coditio 24 Appedix 1.4 Other asbestos materials i poor coditio 25 Appedix 1.5 Further iformatio 26 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 8 of 181

8 Health ad Safety Itroductio About this guidace 1.1 This guidace publicatio covers work with asbestos, which requires a licece uder the Asbestos (Licesig) Regulatios 1983 (as ameded). 1 HSE guidace o o-licesed asbestos work is cotaied i other publicatios, Asbestos essetials task maual: Task guidace sheets for the buildig maiteace ad allied trades 2 ad Workig with asbestos cemet. 3 This licesed cotractors guidace is split ito eight chapters, coverig i detail, differet aspects of licesed work with asbestos-cotaiig materials (ACMs). These chapters are: Chapter 1: A itroductio to workig with ACMs (this chapter) Chapter 2: Liceces for work with ACMs Chapter 3: Risk assessmets, plas of work ad otificatios for work with ACMs Chapter 4: Traiig for employees, supervisors ad others workig with ACMs Chapter 5: PPE for work with ACMs Chapter 6: Eclosures for work with ACMs Chapter 7: Cotrolled techiques for the removal ad repair of ACMs, icludig waste disposal Chapter 8: Decotamiatio Box 1.1 Key facts about asbestos Asbestos-related diseases kill more people tha ay other sigle work-related illess. Asbestos-related diseases ca take years to develop ad there is o cure. Asbestos-related diseases are curretly resposible for more tha 4000 deaths a year i the UK ad the umber is still icreasig. ACMs i good coditio ad left udisturbed caot cause ill health. The greater the disturbace of ACMs (see Figure 1.1) ad the loger the duratio, the greater the risk to health. Effective cotrol of exposure ca oly be achieved if techiques that miimise fibre geeratio have bee used, i particular wet strippig. Power-assisted respirators provide isufficiet protectio whe removal is ucotrolled, eg durig dry strippig. 1.2 This itroductio covers the geeral priciples of asbestos ad its licesed removal. It provides a overview of asbestos ad its health effects, the law ad how to work safely with asbestos. 1.3 This guidace replaces ad cosolidates ito oe documet, most HSE guidace o licesed asbestos removal work. The publicatios replaced by this documet are: Cotrolled asbestos strippig techiques for work requirig a licece (HSG189/1) Selectio of suitable respiratory protective equipmet for work with asbestos (INDG288(rev1)) Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 9 of 181

9 Health ad Safety The provisio, use ad maiteace of hygiee facilities for work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board (EH47 (Third editio)) Traiig operatives ad supervisors for work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board (EH50) Eclosures provided for work with asbestos isulatio, coatigs ad isulatig board (EH51) Who is the guidace for? 1.4 Ay busiess holdig a licece to work with asbestos, eg either repairig or removig ACMs, supervisig such work, carryig out acillary activities, supplyig labour or who provide traiig o asbestos must read this guidace. It is also essetial for employers carryig out work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig, ad asbestos isulatig board (AIB) usig their ow employees o their ow premises, who are exempted from the requiremet to hold a licece (see paragraph 2.4). It may also be beeficial to those who award cotracts for such work or have other asbestos maagemet duties. Figure 1.1 Asbestos fibres beig released from laggig How to use this guidace 1.5 This guidace should be used as a referece, coverig all aspects of licesed work with ACMs. Each of the chapters covers a broad topic area, eg traiig, ad has its ow cotets list. You ca go direct to the chapter you eed ad use the cotets list to avigate that chapter. Where appedices are used for a particular topic, these are kept withi the relevat chapter. 1.6 This itroductory chapter also cotais a overview of the complete process, from licece applicatio through to waste disposal. This overview provides refereces for all topics, allowig you to avigate easily to specific topics, eg the four-stage clearace procedure. This overview also acts as a quick referece, showig key issues at a glace. 1.7 If you still eed help after readig this guidace, Appedix 1.5 cotais details of orgaisatios that may be able to provide further advice ad expertise. Cosultig employees 1.8 Proper cosultatio with those who do the work is crucial to help raise awareess of the importace of health ad safety. It ca make a sigificat cotributio to creatig ad maitaiig a safe ad healthy workig eviromet ad a effective health ad safety culture. I tur this ca beefit the busiess by makig it more efficiet by reducig the umber of accidets ad the icidets of work-related ill health. Ivolvig operatives i decisio-makig ca improve the quality of the job ad reduce exposures 1.9 It is importat that employees ad employee or safety represetatives are ivolved i the assessmet ad plaig process. Employees will provide more accurate iformatio o the actual work methods used ad o the feasibility of ew proposals. For example, if proposed work methods are difficult or cumbersome, employees may take short cuts that lead to a deterioratio i cotrol. Settig urealistic timescales for cotracts may also result i workers takig less care whe workig with asbestos. Employees geerally have greater acceptace of work methods if they have bee part of the decisio-makig process It is particularly importat that the wearers of respiratory protective equipmet (RPE) are ivolved i the selectio process ad, where practicable, are Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 10 of 181

10 Health ad Safety provided with a choice of suitable equipmet. This helps to esure it is suited to them ad icreases the chaces that they will accept the RPE ad wear it correctly Safety represetatives, where appoited by recogised trade uios uder the Safety Represetatives ad Safety Committees Regulatios 1977, 4 must be cosulted. Safety represetatives ca play a crucial role i health ad safety i the workplace. They ca brig ideas ad experieces from outside the employer s orgaisatio (eg as a result of trade uio traiig). They also form a lik betwee the workers ad maagemet. The presece of safety represetatives i the workplace has bee show to cut the major accidet rate by more tha 50%. Other employees ot covered by such represetatives must be cosulted, either directly or idirectly via elected represetatives of employee safety, accordig to the Health ad Safety (Cosultatio with Employees) Regulatios This will allow employees or their represetatives to help develop suitable ad adequate cotrol measures. More iformatio o employers duties uder these regulatios is cotaied i the free HSE leaflet Cosultig employees o health ad safety: A guide to the law. 6 Health effects ad exposure What are asbestos diseases? 1.12 Breathig i asbestos fibres ca lead to asbestos-related diseases, which kill more people tha ay other sigle work-related illess. The diseases ca take may years to develop - so you ad your employees will ot be immediately aware of a chage i someoe s health after breathig i asbestos Asbestos ca cause two mai types of damage i humas: cacer, eg mesothelioma or lug cacer; ad fibrous thickeig of the lug, asbestosis. Other diseases, such as pleural plaques, are less serious as they are ot disablig. Mesothelioma ad lug cacer are severely disablig ad most result i death. Severe asbestosis ca cotribute to death. Figure 1.2 shows ormal healthy lug tissues. Figures 1.3, 1.4 ad 1.5 show lug tissue from lugs of workers overexposed to asbestos. These coditios, which are described below, ca be preveted by good workig practices as outlied i this guidace. Figure 1.2 Normal lug Figure 1.3 Heavy exposure to asbestos Figure 1.4 Lug cacer Figure 1.5 Mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure Asbestos-related diseases kill more people tha ay other sigle work-related illess Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 11 of 181

11 Health ad Safety There is o cure for asbestos-related diseases What is asbestosis? 1.14 Asbestosis is a scarrig of the lug tissue which restricts breathig, leadig to decreased lug volume ad icreased resistace i the airways. It is a slowly progressive disease with a latecy period depedet o the magitude of exposure. What is mesothelioma? 1.15 Mesothelioma is a cacer of the cells that make up the liig aroud the outside of the lugs ad iside of the ribs (pleura), or aroud the abdomial orgas (peritoeum). By the time it is diagosed, it is almost always fatal. Similar to other asbestos-related diseases, mesothelioma usually has a log latecy period averagig years. However there are cases where the latecy period has bee much shorter (aroud 15 years). There is o kow safe threshold of exposure, therefore as the frequecy, duratio ad level of exposure icreases, so does the risk of developig mesothelioma. What is lug cacer? 1.16 Lug cacer is a maligat tumour of the lugs air passages. The tumour grows through surroudig tissue, ivadig ad ofte obstructig air passages. The time betwee exposure to asbestos ad the occurrece of lug cacer is o average years. There is a syergistic effect betwee smokig ad asbestos exposure. If you smoke ad are exposed to asbestos, your risk of developig lug cacer is greatly icreased. Exposure to asbestos ad smokig multiplies the risk of developig lug cacer What are the symptoms? 1.17 Each of these asbestos-related diseases ca oly be diagosed through medical examiatios ad tests. Exposure to asbestos does ot mea that these diseases will develop. However, the greater the exposure, the greater the risk of cotractig them The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases will usually ot become apparet for several decades after exposure. They may iclude: shortess of breath; a cough or a chage i cough patter; blood i the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lugs; pai i the chest or abdome; difficulty i swallowig or prologed hoarseess; ad/or sigificat weight loss. Figure 1.6 Cotrolled removal of asbestos 1.19 Oce the asbestos-related disease has bee diagosed, the idividual is left with the prospect of a debilitatig impact o their health or evetual death. Therefore exposures should always be preveted or miimised to the lowest level reasoably practicable to reduce the risk of ill health later i life. Reduce exposures ow to prevet ill health i the future Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 12 of 181

12 Health ad Safety Figure 1.7 Ucotrolled removal of asbestos Asbestos should oly be worked o if absolutely ecessary Ucotrolled removal of asbestos costs lives Usig cotrolled methods of removal saves lives Workig practices ad exposure 1.20 There are three mai types of asbestos which have bee commoly used: crocidolite ( blue ); amosite ( brow ); chrysotile ( white ) All types of asbestos are dagerous but crocidolite ad amosite asbestos are kow to be more hazardous tha chrysotile. The asbestos types are ofte referred to by their colour. But, it is very difficult to idetify them by colour. Colour ad appearace ca be affected i may ways, icludig by heat ad chemicals, mixig with other substaces ad through paitig or coatig Although asbestos is a hazardous material, it ca oly pose a risk to health if the asbestos fibres become airbore ad are the ihaled. ACMs oly release fibres ito the air whe they are disturbed. Also, the greater the disturbace of the ACM durig removal, the greater the risk to health. Cotrolled strippig techiques reduce exposure ad therefore the risk of ill health ad death (see Figures 1.6 ad 1.7). Factors affectig exposure are listed i Box The umber of asbestos fibres i air is affected by may factors. A estimate of the expected cocetratio of asbestos fibres i air ca be made by cosiderig: the type of asbestos (crocidolite ad amosite are more friable tha chrysotile); the asbestos product (sprayed coatig ad laggig are more friable ad loose ad crumbly tha others); how the material will be worked o (ie type of tools); how roughly the material will eed to be treated to do the job; how much of it will be worked o; how log it will be worked o; how effective the cotrol measures at source are i reducig the spread of dust ad cocetratios of asbestos fibres i air; other available iformatio (eg past exposure moitorig records for similar circumstaces; iformatio i Tables 1.1 ad 1.2); past experiece ad kowledge which are relevat to the work i questio; ad a allowace for short-term uexpected high exposures. RPE should be used to complemet cotrolled strippig techiques ad ot i place of them. Ucotrolled removal of asbestos (see paragraph 7.68) will geerate airbore fibre cocetratios beyod the protectio provided by ay power-assisted respirator Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 13 of 181

13 Health ad Safety Box 1.2 Some idicators of high exposure/poor cotrol (this list is ot exhaustive) Work methods Durig removal, dry patches of isulatio are foud. Material i asbestos waste sacks is ot doughy, but hard ad crumbles whe squeezed through the bag. Excessive breakage to AIB sheets. The ier surface of the viewig pael is dusty. Heavily lade pre-filter o the egative pressure uit (NPU). Excessive dust/debris o high level surfaces. Excessive loose waste stored i the eclosure. Poor stadard of equipmet o site, (eg o-adjustable wet strippig eedles). Evidece of equipmet used icorrectly (eg decotamiatio uit (DCU) ot coected, isufficiet wettig fluid). Workers Workers with facial stubble (where face fit is importat). Evidece of cotamiatio o trasitig workers. Evidece of cotamiatio o trasit/waste routes. Evidece of cotamiatio i the DCU. Decotamiatio time too quick. Eclosure itegrity Eclosure sheetig shows little sig of egative pressure. Sheetig i poor state (holes, tape liftig etc). Airlocks i poor state (flaps icorrectly positioed, taped up). No or isufficiet iward movemet of air. Poor set up of cotrols (eg NPU) ext to the airlocks, causig short-circuitig of air. Uweighted airlock flaps. Trasit airlock ad baglock ope at same time. Air moitorig 1.24 Regulatio 18 of the Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios 2002 (CAWR) 7 requires the measuremet of employee exposure at regular itervals ad where a chage occurs that may affect that exposure. This air moitorig is required to show: that cotrol measures (eg wet strippig) are effective ad beig properly used; ad that the RPE wor is sufficiet to provide adequate protectio (ie i additio to primary cotrol measures) A strategy should be developed to meet the moitorig purpose idetified i paragraph The moitorig strategy should also esure that a represetative rage of jobs ad work methods are examied. Occupatioal exposures ca vary from day to day ad eve throughout a shift. So, the strategy should take accout of the rage of circumstaces ad coditios that ca occur, icludig differet ACMs, work methods, work areas, work duratio etc. Air samplig results should be used to iform ad modify the cotrol arragemets, as ecessary The air moitorig data should be used to establish employee exposure records. Moitorig is ot required for every job. Samplig data from previous similar jobs ca be used to judge the effectiveess of cotrols ad to decide whether actio levels or cotrol limits are likely to be exceeded. But, where there is doubt about the expected exposure cocetratio, the exposure will have to be cofirmed by air moitorig. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 14 of 181

14 Health ad Safety 1.27 Moitorig should be carried out usig a method approved by the Health ad Safety Commissio (eg usig methodology described i Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures). 8 If there is doubt about assessig employees expected exposure to asbestos fibres, seek help from a occupatioal hygieist or a specialist laboratory. To carry out asbestosrelated samplig ad aalysis, laboratories must be accredited to ISO by a recogised accreditatio body, eg UKAS (the UK Accreditatio Service) Tables 1.1 ad 1.2 provide iformatio o fibre cocetratios likely to be experieced i a rage of jobs. The data is oly a guide ad is ot a substitute for carryig out a proper assessmet of the likely exposure cocetratios. The circumstaces of each job ca vary widely so a idividual assessmet should be carried out It is possible to obtai exposures lower tha those quoted for cotrolled strippig techiques. Specialist cotractors should therefore ot take these fibre cocetratios as represetig the lowest reasoably practicable, but view them as illustratig how exposures ca be reduced. Cotractors should therefore always strive to reduce exposure to as low as reasoably practicable. Table 1.1 Well-cotrolled work with ACMs Good practice Job Cotrolled wet strippig usig maual tools Careful removal of whole AIB up to 3 Drillig AIB with vacuum trace - local exhaust vetilatio (LEV), or shadow vacuumig (ote drillig holes i asbestos should be avoided where possible) Likely fibre cocetratios (fibre/ml) up to 1 (uless a dry patch is hit or laggig becomes detached) up to 1 Table 1.2 Poorly cotrolled work with ACMs Job Likely fibre cocetratios (fibre/ml) Bad practice Strippig pipe or vessel laggig partially wetted or dry areas preset Strippig sprayed coatigs partially wetted or dry areas preset up to 100 aroud 1000 Drillig AIB without vacuum trace up to 10 Reciprocatig power sawig AIB up to 20 Had sawig AIB 5-10 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 15 of 181

15 Health ad Safety Measuremets have show that, where cotrolled strippig techiques have bee used but ot correctly applied, they ca lead to high airbore fibre cocetratios. Poor wettig is ofte little better tha ucotrolled dry strippig 1.30 Other reasos for carryig out air moitorig iclude: stage 3 of the four-stage clearace procedure (see paragraph 7.132); leak samplig to check the ogoig itegrity of the eclosure (see paragraph 6.56); reassurace air samplig after removal work has bee completed Further details o air moitorig are provided i Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures. 8 Legal requiremets 1.32 There are several sets of health ad safety legislatio that directly or idirectly place duties o employers i relatio to asbestos. The mai pieces of geeral legislatio are listed below: 9 The Health ad Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) (Sectio 2)requires a employer to coduct their work i such a way that their employees will ot be exposed to health ad safety risks, ad to provide iformatio to other people about their workplace which might affect their health ad safety. Sectio 3 of HSWA cotais geeral duties o employers ad the self-employed i respect of people other tha their ow employees. Sectio 4 cotais geeral duties for ayoe who has cotrol, to ay extet, over a workplace. 10 The Maagemet of Health ad Safety at Work Regulatios 1999 require employers ad self-employed people to make a assessmet of the risks to the health ad safety of themselves, their employees, ad people ot i their employmet arisig out of or i coectio with the coduct of their busiess ad to make appropriate arragemets for protectig those people s health ad safety. The Costructio (Desig ad Maagemet) Regulatios 1994 (CDM) require the cliet to pass o iformatio about the state or coditio of ay premises (icludig the presece of hazardous materials such as asbestos) to the plaig supervisor before ay work begis ad to esure that the health ad safety file is available for ispectio by ayoe who eeds the iformatio There are two sets of specific health ad safety regulatios that directly apply to work with asbestos. These are: The Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios 2002; The Asbestos (Licesig) Regulatios 1983 (as ameded) (ASLIC). 7 1 The key requiremets of these regulatios are outlied below. The Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios CAWR applies to all work with asbestos. It requires employers to prevet exposure of employees to asbestos or, where this is ot reasoably practicable, to reduce exposure as low as is reasoably practicable. The spread of asbestos should also be preveted. The key to cotrollig asbestos exposure ad spread is through a suitable ad sufficiet risk assessmet (RA). Before startig ay work where asbestos is preset, CAWR requires a employer to make a assessmet of the likely exposure of employees to asbestos ad to prepare a pla of work (POW). The assessmet ad POW should be i writig ad should, amog other matters, Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 16 of 181

16 Health ad Safety iclude details of the steps that eed to be take to meet the requiremets of the regulatios CAWR also icludes requiremets o the followig: a duty to maage asbestos i o-domestic premises; otificatio of work with asbestos; provisio of iformatio, istructio ad traiig; use of cotrol measures; maiteace of cotrol measures; provisio ad cleaig of protective clothig; arragemets to deal with accidets, icidets ad emergecies; clealiess of premises ad plat; air moitorig; health records ad medical surveillace The licesed asbestos removal cotractor (LARC) may ot always eed to make a ew assessmet before each idividual job if the work ivolves similar jobs o a umber of sites, eg removig asbestos ceilig tiles from a umber of idetical or similar offices. But where the work varies sigificatly from site to site, a ew assessmet will eed to be made for each job More iformatio o the requiremets of CAWR ca be foud i the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP), Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace. 12 Cotrol limits ad actio levels 1.38 CAWR also specifies requiremets to limit airbore exposure to asbestos: cotrol limits ad actio levels. A cotrol limit is that cocetratio of asbestos i the air (averaged over ay cotiuous four-hour or te-miute period) above which employees must ot be exposed to uless they are wearig suitable RPE. Both the four-hour ad te-miute periods have their ow cotrol limits, the values of which vary depedig o the type of asbestos preset. The cotrol limits are give i Table 1.3 ad exposures should be reduced to the lowest level reasoably practicable below them Actio levels apply to exposure i the loger term, ad are cumulative exposures calculated over ay cotiuous 12-week period. The 12-week period should ot be deliberately chose to avoid exceedig a actio level; it should represet a worst case for the work beig udertake. If the exposure of ay employee exceeds or is likely to exceed a actio level, the regulatios i CAWR o otificatio, desigated area ad medical surveillace, apply. The actio levels are give i Table 1.3. Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures 8 cotais guidace o how to calculate actio levels. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 17 of 181

17 Health ad Safety Table 1.3 Cotrol limits ad actio levels for asbestos Asbestos type 4-hr cotrol limit (f/ml) 10-mi cotrol limit (f/ml) Chrystolie aloe Ay other form of asbestos, either aloe or i mixtures, icludig mixtures of chrysotile with ay other form of asbestos Actio level (fibre hrs/ml 2 ) Notes f/ml - fibres per millilitre of air averaged over ay cotiuous period. fibre hours/ml - calculated by multiplyig the airbore exposure i f/ml by the time i hours for which it lasts to give exposure i fibre hours/ml. Cumulative exposures are calculated by addig together all the idividual exposures over ay cotiuous 12-week period. The Asbestos (Licesig) Regulatios 1983 (as ameded) 1.40 I Great Britai, work o asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad AIB has, by law, to be carried out by a cotractor who holds a licece uder ASLIC although there are exceptios, eg where the work is of short duratio. Paragraphs provide full details These exclusios mea that maiteace workers do ot eed a licece to do mior work, eg istallig a light fittig, providig the work is short duratio ad exposures are ulikely to exceed actio levels or cotrol limits. Although a licece is ot required, they should have the ecessary expertise ad the work must comply with CAWR. However, if i geeral terms, good workig practices are followed, compliace with CAWR will be achieved. HSE has produced guidace for o-liceced work, Asbestos essetials. There are two publicatios, Itroductio to asbestos essetials: Comprehesive guidace o workig with asbestos i the buildig maiteace ad allied trades; 13 ad Asbestos essetials task maual: Task guidace sheets for the buildig maiteace ad allied trades, 2 both available from HSE Books. Maagemet of asbestos Is asbestos removal ecessary? 1.42 Regulatio 4 of CAWR places a duty to maage asbestos i o-domestic premises. As part of the maagemet of asbestos, ACMs should be maitaied i good coditio ad oly removed if absolutely ecessary. ACMs i good coditio ad left udisturbed will ot release fibres ito the air ad will ot cause exposure ad spread. Asbestos should ot be removed simply because it is there. It may also be possible to avoid disturbace of asbestos durig maiteace or buildig work, eg by routig services through a alterative locatio The removal of asbestos by its very ature will cause disturbace ad spread. Where it is removed, the work must be strictly cotrolled. Appedices cotai flow charts describig the optios for the maagemet of ACMs. There are charts for differet types of asbestos. The charts work systematically through the optios ad actios for ACMs, depedig o the type ad coditio of the material. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 18 of 181

18 Health ad Safety 1.44 Examples where removal will be ecessary iclude: before the demolitio of a buildig; before maiteace or refurbishmet work which may disturb ACMs; where ACMs are damaged; where ACMs are vulerable to damage by the ormal day-to-day activities i the buildig; where a chage i the use of a buildig may make ACMs more proe to damage. Asbestos should oly be removed if absolutely ecessary 1.45 ACMs should remai i place ad be icluded i a buildig maagemet pla. Small areas of damage ca be repaired, the material ecapsulated or eclosed by aother o-asbestos material Appedices summarise the maagemet decisios ad actios to be take as part of the maagemet process for asbestos i buildigs. Further detailed iformatio o maagig asbestos i buildigs is give i A comprehesive guide to maagig asbestos i premises. 14 Medical examiatio of asbestos removal workers uder CAWR 2002 Status of the medical examiatio ad certificate of examiatio 1.47 Uder the curret CAWR the medical examiatio is ot a fitess for work examiatio. The certificate of examiatio oly cotais the iformatio that a employee has bee examied at a certai date (regulatio 21, paragraphs 4 a ad b). All other statutory medical examiatios (for istace for lead, ioisig radiatio ad divig) coclude with a fitess for work judgemet. This approach i the CAWR medical examiatio is uusual ad has historical reasos. As a cosequece, the medical examiatio does ot certify that the employee is ecessarily fit for all work coditios that ca be preset i a asbestos eclosure. This curret positio may chage at the ext review of CAWR, due i Risk assessmet of the work coditios 1.48 The employer has to assess ay specific hazards ad risks i their RA as required by regulatio 3 of the Maagemet of Health ad Safety at Work Regulatios Such factors may iclude workig with RPE or workig at height with the risk of fallig. Depedig o the coditios iside the eclosure, for istace whe work i hot coditios caot be avoided, a asbestos eclosure may also become a cofied space, as defied i the Cofied Spaces Regulatios If that is the case, the competet perso carryig out the RA for work i cofied spaces may eed to cosider the suitability of idividuals for that work. This may, eg require checkig whether the idividuals are of a suitable build ad stamia. If i doubt, but especially i the case of uavoidable hot work or the ecessity to wear breathig apparatus, competet medical advice o a idividual s suitability for the work may be eeded ad therefore a additioal fitess for work examiatio, i additio to the CAWR medical examiatio, may be required (see Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace, paragraph 79) Cosiderig the fitess for work of the operatives is always good practice, eve if the strict defiitio of a cofied space does ot apply. I particular, where ay medical coditio could iterfere with the correct use of persoal or respiratory protective equipmet, a operative is proe to sudde loss of cosciousess or Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 19 of 181

19 Health ad Safety has sigificat sickess absece, a assessmet by a competet perso could be eeded. Examples of such medical coditios are heart ad lug (for istace asthma) diseases, ustable diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, claustrophobia (fear of small spaces), metal coditios or the takig of certai medicatios. Simple questioaires, preferably admiistered by a occupatioal urse, ca help itroduce additioal safety with miimal effort. Fial judgemet o fitess for work i case of detectio of medical aomalies should be reserved for a occupatioal physicia with good kowledge of the specific work requiremets ad work coditios preset i a asbestos eclosure. Whe is a medical required? 1.50 A medical examiatio is required whe the exposure of a employee could exceed the actio level for asbestos fibres. The actio level is a amout of fibres per millilitre of air as measured over a 12-week period (see paragraph 1.39). The Regulatios curretly give differet actio levels for chrysotile asbestos ad other types of asbestos, although i reality, most asbestos removal workers work with all types of asbestos ad for simplicity use the cotrol limits/actio levels for amosite/ crocidolite. Because the actio level is measured over a period of time ad also depeds o the type of asbestos beig worked with, the questio whether the actio level will be exceeded depeds o the patter of work ad the RA for each job. The employer is resposible for this RA ad therefore also for determiig whether the employee might exceed the actio limit. Most removal worker exposure will exceed the actio level. How ofte is the medical examiatio carried out? 1.51 Whe work with asbestos starts uder coditios that will exceed the actio level, employees eed to be uder medical surveillace. For the purpose of the Regulatios it is however sufficiet if the employees ad the employer have obtaied a valid certificate of examiatio, which is ot older tha two years, before the work starts. After the first examiatio the medical examiatio is repeated at itervals of o loger tha two years (or at a shorter iterval as decided by the doctor who carries out the examiatio), for as log as the employee is likely to be exposed over the actio level. The purpose of the examiatio 1.52 Asbestos i all its forms is a very hazardous material. It ca cause serious lug disease such as asbestosis ad differet forms of lug ad other cacers (maily maligat mesothelioma (see paragraphs ). From past experiece we kow that uder the curret exposure situatios the biggest risk to health is still the risk of cacer The medical examiatio is part of the strict cotrol measures ecessary to help esure that people who work with asbestos do so i a safe way. The mai aim of the examiatio is to advise the employees about the potetial health risks of asbestos ad of their fitess for work. The latter is however ot commuicated to the employer i the certificate of examiatio. Although the examiatio is lookig for sigs of ill health, possibly liked with asbestos exposure, it is importat to kow that it may take may years before sigs of ill health from past asbestos exposure become detectable by the examiatio. Therefore the other importat purpose of the examiatio is to provide the employee with the opportuity to speak to a medical doctor about ay cocers they may have regardig their work ad/or their health. Who carries out the medical examiatio? 1.54 Medical examiatios uder CAWR are carried out either by a employmet medical advisor workig for HSE or by a appoited doctor. I practice, a appoited doctor will almost always carry out the examiatio. Appoited doctors are appoited by the Employmet Medical Advisory Service (EMAS) of HSE ad Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 20 of 181

20 Health ad Safety act as a aget o behalf of EMAS. EMAS provides guidace for the appoited doctors, as well as coductig regular checks to cotrol the quality of their work ad their medical documetatio. The cotet of the medical examiatio 1.55 The Regulatios require the doctor to perform at least a specific examiatio of the chest. EMAS guidace will provide the appoited doctor with advice about the cotet of the examiatio. Usually the examiatio will iclude takig or updatig a work history ad questios about geeral health ad the health of the lug. The doctor will perform a cliical examiatio of the chest ad look for other sigs of respiratory disease as well as carryig out a lug fuctio test. A chest X-ray is ot part of the examiatio o a routie basis. The reaso for this is that the doctor is obliged by law to make a assessmet of the beefit i each idividual case of ay chest X-ray examiatio, bearig i mid that all ioisig radiatio (X-rays) carry a small health risk. If the doctor has reaso to believe that a chest X-ray would be useful o cliical grouds the it may be ordered as part of the examiatio. It is importat to remember that a all-clear chest X-ray does ot mea that the curret workig methods are safe because it takes may years (usually more tha 15-20) before a chest X-ray will show ay sigs of past asbestos exposure. Certificate of examiatio 1.56 After the examiatio the appoited doctor will issue the employee ad the employer both with a origial certificate of examiatio. This is to reduce the chace of forgery of certificates This certificate oly idicates that the examiatio uder the requiremets of CAWR has bee carried out ad icludes the date of the examiatio. It does ot certify ay fitess to work with asbestos. This is because the appoited doctor is uable uder the Regulatios to declare someoe ufit for work with asbestos. The appoited doctor does however have a obligatio to advise the employee if they thik the employee is ot fit to start work with asbestos or i their opiio should stop workig with asbestos. I exceptioal circumstaces, where someoe is clearly a dager to themselves ad possibly others, the appoited doctor may cosider iformig the employer about the employee s coditio. Usually the appoited doctor will however ask for iformed coset before disclosig ay medical i cofidece iformatio to the employer. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 21 of 181

21 Health ad Safety Appedix 1.1 Materials idetified as cotaiig asbestos No Does the material cotai asbestos? Yes Is the material i good coditio? Yes No Is the material spray or pipe laggig? Yes See Appedix 1.2 No Is the material isulatig board or blocks? Yes See Appedix 1.3 No Other asbestos material Yes See Appedix 1.4 Record o-asbestos material Record, maage ad moitor Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 22 of 181

22 Health ad Safety Appedix 1.2 Sprayed asbestos coatigs ad pipe ad vessel isulatio i poor coditio Is the material readily repairable? Yes Carry out repair work No Is the material accessible? See Note 1 No Yes Is the damage extesive? See Note 2 No Is the damage extesive? See Note 3 No Yes Yes Is there loose friable material? See Note 4 No Seal or ecapsulate Yes Is eclosure feasible? Yes Eclose No Remove Record, maage ad moitor Notes 1 Is the material accessible ad vulerable to further accidetal or deliberate damage from adjacet repair or maiteace, impact by people, vehicles, objects or vadalism? 2 If the damage is slight ad the ACM is ot easily accessible, remedial work is ulikely to be ecessary. The damage should be moitored ad your decisio reviewed if circumstaces chage (eg the area becomes accessible) 3 If the damage is superficial, eg slight crackig to pipework isulatio or deteriorated surface fiish, the aswer o to this questio. If, eg the isulatio is startig to come away from the pipework or the spray coatig appears to be loose i places, the aswer yes to this questio. If there is debris o the floor or other surfaces the this will eed removig followig appropriate precautios. 4 The damage may be extesive, but if the material is geerally soud without friable material or loose pieces, the sealig/ecapsulatio may be possible. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 23 of 181

23 Health ad Safety Appedix 1.3 AIB ad isulatig blocks i poor coditio Is the material readily repairable? Yes Carry out repair work No Is the material readily accessible? See Note 1 No Yes Is the damage extesive? See Notes 2 ad 3 No Yes Is sealig or eclosure feasible? Yes Seal or eclose No Remove Record, maage ad moitor Notes 1 Is the material accessible ad vulerable to further accidetal or deliberate damage from adjacet repair or maiteace, impact by people, vehicles, objects or vadalism? If the damage is ot easily accessible, remedial work may ot be ecessary. The damage should be moitored ad your decisio reviewed if circumstaces chage (eg the area becomes accessible). 2 If the damage is superficial, eg slight crackig to pipework isulatio or deteriorated surface fiish, aswer o to this questio. If, for example, the isulatio is startig to come away from the pipework or the spray coatig appears to be loose i places, aswer yes to this questio. 3 If there is debris o the floor or other surfaces, this will eed removig followig appropriate precautios. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 24 of 181

24 Health ad Safety Appedix 1.4 Other asbestos materials i poor coditio (read Notes 1 ad 2 first) Is the material readily repairable? Yes Carry out repair work No Is the material accessible? See Note 3 No Yes Is the damage extesive? See Note 4 No Yes Is sealig or eclosure feasible? Yes Seal or eclose No Remove Record, maage ad moitor Notes 1 This chart covers products ot icluded i Appedices 1.2 ad 1.3 such as asbestos cemet, textiles, gaskets, ropes ad ecapsulated products such as viyl ad thermoplastic tiles, roofig felts etc. Materials which are ecapsulated i a resiliet matrix will have limited ability to release fibres, therefore asbestos i reiforced plastics, viyls, resis, rubber, mastics, bitume, paits, flexible plasters ad cemets have little opportuity to release fibres uless the matrix is removed (eg degraded, dissolved or burt) or subject to high levels of abrasio (eg use of power tools). Maagemet of these types of materials so maiteace workers do ot use abrasive methods ad power tools is usually sufficiet to miimise airbore asbestos releases. Sealig may be cosidered if there is evidece of routie wear ad abrasio. The flow chart shows you the decisios to cosider if remedial actio is deemed to be ecessary. However, uless the damage is sigificat or they are i a vulerable positio, urget remedial actio is ulikely to be ecessary ad you should simply remove these products, followig the correct precautios whe they come to the ed of their useful life, or before refurbishmet or demolitio. 2 Products which are less well ecapsulated (eg asbestos textiles ad gaskets), will release fibres more readily ad use of cotrolled work methods by maiteace workers ad eclosure or sealig to prevet damage may be ecessary i some circumstaces. 3 Is the material accessible ad vulerable to further accidetal or deliberate damage from adjacet repair or maiteace, impact by people, vehicles, objects or vadalism? 4 If the damage is slight, remedial work is ulikely to be ecessary. The damage should be moitored ad your decisio reviewed if circumstaces chage (eg the area becomes accessible). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 25 of 181

25 Health ad Safety Appedix 1.5 Further iformatio This guidace will help you to assess ad cotrol occupatioal exposure to asbestos, but you may eed to seek advice ad expertise from other sources. These iclude: trade associatios, who ca provide advice o curret practice, techological developmets etc. For example: ACAD; ARCA; your local HSE office or HSE s Ifolie; your equipmet supplier; your persoal protective equipmet (PPE) supplier; occupatioal hygieists/safety cosultats ca provide advice o the assessmet ad cotrol of exposure to asbestos. If you decide to employ the services of a cosultacy, you should esure that they are competet to carry out the work. Oe way to do this is to use oe that is a member of BOHS/ ATAC. ACAD: Asbestos Cotrol ad Abatemet Divisio TICA House Alligto Way Yarm Road Busiess Park Darligto Co Durham DL1 4QB Tel: ARCA: Asbestos Removal Cotractors Associatio ARCA House 237 Brasto Road Burto upo Tret Staffordshire DE14 3BT Tel: BOHS: British Occupatioal Hygiee Society 5/6 Melboure Busiess Court Milleium Way Pride Park Derby DE24 8LZ Tel: Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 26 of 181

26 Health ad Safety ATAC: Asbestos Testig ad Cosultig 237 Brasto Road Burto upo Tret Staffordshire DE14 3BT Tel: HSE Ifolie: Tel: Fax: Textphoe: Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 27 of 181

27 Health ad Safety Chapter 2: Liceces for work with ACMs Summary A licece is required for work o asbestos, uless oe of the exemptios applies. There are three categories of work which require a licece: full, supervisory ad acillary. Licece applicatio packs ca be obtaied from HSE s Asbestos Licesig Uit (ALU). Strict cotrols are placed o hirig employees for work with ACMs. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 28 of 181

28 Health ad Safety Cotets Itroductio 30 Liceces for work with ACMs 30 Whe is a licece required? 30 Types of licece 32 How to obtai a licece 33 Eforcig authority site visits 34 Liaiso with the asbestos idustry 35 Hirig employees 35 Hirig removal operatives from aother compay 35 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 29 of 181

29 Health ad Safety Itroductio 2.1 Disturbace of certai types of asbestos products ca give rise to sigificat health risks. Therefore, as part of health ad safety legislatio, the law requires that work with the most hazardous forms of asbestos ca oly be carried out by compaies who have obtaied a licece for such work from HSE (there are mior exceptios to this). This licesig regime is a key compoet i the arragemets to esure the highest stadards of asbestos cotrol ad protectio for workers ad the public. This chapter explais the licesig system. Liceces for work with ACMs Whe is a licece required? 2.2 ASLIC prohibits work with certai types of asbestos materials, amely asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB, except i specific circumstaces (see paragraph 2.4), uless it is carried out by a employer or a self-employed perso who holds a licece grated by HSE. Uder powers delegated from HSE, the ALU may grat a licece for work with these materials if it cosiders it appropriate to do so. 2.3 Uder ASLIC, work with asbestos meas work i which asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB is removed, repaired or disturbed ad icludes work i a supervisory or acillary capacity (see ASLIC, paragraphs 16-17) There are three occasios whe a licece to work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB is ot required. These are: for work of short duratio (this is where the total umber of hours worked is ot loger tha oe hour i seve cosecutive days for ay oe perso ad the total time spet by all the workers is o more tha two hours, also i seve cosecutive days); for air moitorig or sample collectio to idetify asbestos; or if you are a employer carryig out the work with your ow employees o your ow premises (Note: i such circumstaces otificatio to the appropriate eforcig authority is required uder regulatio 5 of ASLIC). Irrespective of whether the work is licesable or ot, ay work with asbestos must comply with CAWR Short duratio work 2.5 All compaies, whether licesed or ot, may carry out work of short duratio, provided they possess the ecessary expertise. The exemptio applies to idividual tasks, where the specified time periods i paragraph 2.4 are ot exceeded. However, those idividuals caot the do ay more ulicesed short duratio work for seve days ad the employer must be able to show that they have a system of cotrollig this work, recordig times, otifyig maagers, etc. The time calculatio icludes: ay preparatory work, such as sheetig of the floor, segregatig the work area, or ay other activity ivolved i preparig the work; the actual work o the asbestos; ad ay activities oce the actual work o the asbestos has bee completed, such as cleaig up. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 30 of 181

30 Health ad Safety Products excluded from the licesig regulatios 2.6 There are certai asbestos products to which ASLIC does ot apply. ASLIC does ot apply to: asbestos cemet (see Figure 2.1), defied as material which is maily a mixture of cemet ad asbestos ad which whe i a dry state has a desity greater tha 1 toe per cubic metre. This material is typically foud as roofig sheets, gutters, claddig, draipipes, flues ad some soffits; articles made of rubber, plastic, resi or bitume but which also cotai asbestos (eg viyl floor tiles, electric cables ad roofig felts); or other asbestos products which may be used at high temperature but have o isulatio purposes, such as gaskets, washers, ropes ad seals. Figure 2.1 No-licesable products Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 31 of 181

31 Health ad Safety Figure 2.2 Removal work Figure 2.3 Supervisory licece holder checkig the itegrity of a eclosure Types of licece 2.7 There are three categories of work requirig a licece full repair ad removal work, supervisig work ad acillary work (but also see paragraph 2.10). A full licece is required to remove, repair or disturb asbestos isulatio or asbestos coatig or AIB (see Figure 2.2). A supervisory licece is required for those ivolved i direct supervisory cotrol over asbestos work beig udertake by aother licesed cotractor (see Figure 2.3). Direct supervisory cotrol is take to mea where there is direct ad immediate ifluece over curret site activities ivolvig ay aspect of the work with asbestos, icludig the equipmet ad cotrols beig used; how the work is doe (methods); how the site is prepared, cleaed up etc; the moitorig of cotrols (eg ispectig DCUs, chagig filters etc); ad movemet, storage ad trasfer of waste. A acillary licece is eeded to carry out work associated with the mai work of repair, removal or disturbace of asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB. Examples where a acillary licece is eeded iclude: the erectio or dismatlig of eclosures for licesable asbestos work; the maiteace ad servicig of certai types of equipmet (eg NPUs) o site; the erectio, alterig, maiteace, or dismatlig of scaffoldig which forms the key part of the framework or the overall support from which a eclosure will be built for licesable asbestos work, or if the scaffoldig provides access for work o asbestos (or otherwise) where it is foreseeable that asbestos is likely to be disturbed by the scaffoldig activity (see Figure 2.4). Figure 2.4 Scaffoldig work 2.8 All liceces cotai stadard coditios ad some may have additioal coditios. Supervisory ad acillary liceces each cotai a additioal coditio, which limits the work of the licece holder to that activity. The stadard coditios are summarised i Box Liceces are usually grated to work with all three forms of licesable asbestos material. Depedig o the type of work udertake this may ot be appropriate ad the licece will be limited to those licesable asbestos materials the applicat is competet to work with, eg a specific licece for AIB or decorative coatig Liceces are also grated to orgaisatios who do ot udertake work themselves, but act as recruitmet agecies, supplyig labour to other licece holders. These liceces restrict the activity of the licece holder to hirig out traied ad equipped operatives to do work that is supervised ad maaged by other licece holders. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 32 of 181

32 Health ad Safety Box 2.1 Summary of stadard licece coditios 1 The licece (or a copy) should be made available to those who eed to see it, eg potetial cliets at tederig, ispectors. A copy of the licece should accompay each otificatio of asbestos work ad a copy should be available o site. 2 The licesee should give writte otice (at least 14 days or other agreed period i advace) to the relevat eforcig authority of each asbestos job. The otice should specify: the type ad likely duratio of the work; the address of the premises ivolved; the startig date. The eforcig authority must also be iformed i writig immediately if this iformatio chages. 3 The otice of work required by coditio 2 shall iclude: a suitable ad sufficiet writte method statemet for the work; suitable ad sufficiet writte details of the cotrol measures (icludig RPE ad persoal protective equipmet (PPE)) ad decotamiatio procedures for the asbestos workers. How to obtai a licece 2.11 For HSE to be able to cosider gratig a licece, the applicat must: ited to do work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB (HSE does ot grat liceces to applicats who do ot ited to work with asbestos but who have oly applied for commercial reasos); have at least oe or more competet idividual(s) withi the orgaisatio, who will have lead resposibility for asbestos work; have a writte policy ad orgaisatioal arragemets which will satisfy the requiremets of CAWR; ad be clear about the type of licece (ie full, supervisory or acillary) that would be appropriate for their busiess ad for which their orgaisatio has the ecessary competece A applicatio pack, comprisig explaatory otes, a applicatio form FOD ASB1, a list of readig material ad a list of traiig orgaisatios, is available direct from the Asbestos Licesig Uit, Health ad Safety, Belford House, 59 Belford Road, Ediburgh EH4 3UE Tel: Existig licece holders are automatically set a applicatio pack a few moths before the expiry of their curret licece The FOD ASB1 is a geeral form for all licece applicatios. It must be completed ad set to ALU at least 28 days before the date from which the licece is to ru, together with the curret fee O receipt of the completed applicatio form ad fee, the details are checked by ALU ad the form is set to the Asbestos Licesig Pricipal Ispector (ALPI), based at the applicat s local HSE office. Arragemets are the made for the ALPI or oe of their ispectors to assess the applicat s capability to work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 33 of 181

33 Health ad Safety 2.15 Every applicat will be formally assessed o all aspects of maagig ad workig with ACMs. The assessmet will iclude kowledge of asbestos ad asbestos requiremets, practical aspects of the work, maagemet policies, systems ad record-keepig arragemets A good uderstadig of the stadards expected together with adequate arragemets for meetig these stadards is essetial for makig a successful applicatio. I some cases, a applicat (eg maagig director) may ot have the detailed kowledge of asbestos requiremets, as this may have bee delegated to other employees withi the firm. I such cases, it would be expected that a competet perso resposible for asbestos operatios withi the orgaisatio would be preset at the assessmet together with a director or parter. If the applicat (ad the resposible perso, if required) were ot fully coversat with these requiremets, it would be ulikely that the applicatio would be successful Part of the assessmet cocetrates o practical matters icludig traiig, medical certificatio, RPE ad equipmet such as NPUs ad DCUs. Whether the applicatio is for a full, supervisory or acillary licece, the assessmet will cover the same topics but to varyig degrees. For example, a applicat for a acillary licece to do scaffoldig work associated with asbestos removal, would ot be expected to have detailed kowledge of asbestos removal techiques ad the equipmet requiremets for this work Followig the assessmet, a report is completed by the ispector ad is submitted together with recommedatios to ALU. Successful applicats are grated a licece either for oe year (ew applicats are grated a oe-year licece) or three years. Most reewal applicats graduate to a three-year licece, but some are reewed for a shorter period. Oe or two-year reewed liceces may be give for the followig reasos: the applicat s performace has caused cocer; a failure to maitai competece; keepig iadequate records or by allowig traiig to lapse; ot havig doe ay work i the previous licece period; chage of maagemet Usuccessful applicats are iformed by ALU of the reasos for refusig their applicatio ad are usually give four moths to rectify matters ad be reassessed, should they wish to proceed. There is a charge for reassessmets. Eforcig authority site visits 2.20 All licece holders are required as a coditio of their licece to otify the eforcig authority (either HSE or the local authority) with details of the proposed work at least 14 days before it is due to start. Separate otificatio is required for all licesed orgaisatios o the same job This coditio gives the eforcig authorities the opportuity to assess the proposals cotaied i the licece holder s POW, which forms part of the otificatio, ad to ispect the site either before or durig the work Licece holders i certai categories are more likely to receive proportioately more site visits from HSE. These categories iclude: ew oe-year licece holders; three-year licece holders whose licece expires i four to six moths ad who have ot bee visited i the previous twelve moths; licece holders whose past performace has give cause for cocer; Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 34 of 181

34 Health ad Safety licece holders who have proposed a work method which raises cocers (eg proposals to carry out ucotrolled dry strippig, ujustified use of a power tool or to work i close proximity to hot surfaces) Reports of ispectors visits to licesed asbestos work are submitted to ALU, who review the licece holder s performace accordigly. If adverse reports are received, this may result i actio beig take agaist the licece holder, eg their licece may be ameded (by havig further coditios added or by havig the licece term reduced), or they may be refused a licece o applicatio or the licece may be revoked. This may be i additio to ay eforcemet actio that might be take by the local ispector(s) who carried out the site ispectio, eg the ispector may issue a Prohibitio Notice o the cotractor where site coditios idicate a risk of serious persoal ijury if the work cotiues without further cotrols. This is a formal step to stop the work util HSE ca be sure the work ca proceed safely. Liaiso with the asbestos idustry 2.24 I 2000, HSE established a idustry liaiso forum, the Asbestos Liaiso Group (ALG), comprisig members from the mai asbestos trade associatios, trade uios ad HSE. ALG provides a forum to promote quality stadards, best practice ad cosistecy of approach i relatio to cotrol ad work with asbestos across Great Britai. It meets regularly ad is also resposible for producig joitly prepared guidace otes (ALG memos) to address issues of cocer. The memos are available o the HSE website at htm. Hirig employees 2.25 From time to time, licece holders may eed to hire temporary persoel to supplemet labour. I such circumstaces, to comply with ASLIC, the licece holder must either recruit directly, or hire persoel from other licece holders (ie aother licesed asbestos removal cotractor), or from a compay with a asbestos licece from HSE to supply labour. Stadards of site cotrol should be maitaied i such circumstaces Orgaisatios i the third category do ot udertake work themselves but act as recruitmet agecies supplyig labour to other licece holders. These liceces cotai specific coditios restrictig the activity of the licece holder to hirig out traied ad equipped operatives, who hold curret certificates for medical examiatios ad RPE face-fit testig, to do work that is orgaised ad maaged by other licece holders. Hirig removal operatives from aother compay Licece holders who udertake work i their ow right ad supply labour 2.27 Licece holders may supply their employees (ie operatives) to work uder the supervisio of other licesed cotractors (these employees will ot act i a supervisory or maagemet capacity, but see paragraph 2.34). Licece holders resposibilities i these circumstaces are set out i Box 2.2. If the licece holder supplies labour ifrequetly (eg less tha oce a moth), the they are ot required to otify the eforcig authority about this If the licece holder regularly supplies labour (eg at least oce a moth) the they must iform the Head Office ALPI every three moths i arrears. The licece holder will cosequetly have a further licece coditio added regardig hirig. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 35 of 181

35 Health ad Safety 2.29 Licece holders who hire i labour must record exposure levels for the period durig which the temporary staff have worked for them ad provide this iformatio to the licece holder who supplied the labour. The licece holder supplyig the labour must esure that they obtai this iformatio to complete their employees exposure records, makig sure that there are o gaps i the documetatio. Licece holders ( recruitmet agecies ) who supply labour but udertake o work i their ow right 2.30 Orgaisatios who hold a licece to supply labour, but who do ot actually udertake work themselves are ot permitted to supply persoel to supervise or maage the work beig udertake by other licece holders. The asbestos licesed cotractor actually doig the work is resposible for supervisig ad maagig it Licece holders i this category are required to otify details of their employees, their hire cotacts etc, as specified i their licece coditio, to the Head Office ALPI every three moths i arrears This licece holder must also obtai the exposure records for their employees while their employees were workig for other licece holders. They must retai the records for 40 years. Box 2.2 Licece holders who supply labour (mai poits) All licece holders i this category will be resposible for: their employees traiig (icludig refresher), medical surveillace, face-fit testig, RPE provisio ad maiteace of ogoig health records; oly supplyig their employees to work uder the supervisio of aother licesed cotractor; providig the licece holder, who has hired i the labour, with face-fit, medical, traiig etc records for their employees for the purposes of o-site documetatio; obtaiig exposure records for their employees durig the periods of the hire; otifyig the Head Office ALPI every three moths of their cotracts (this is ot required if the licece holder supplies labour o a ifrequet basis, see paragraph 2.27). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 36 of 181

36 Health ad Safety Licece holders who actually do the work ad hire i labour 2.33 Licece holders i this category will be resposible for: the POW ad equipmet specificatio; all plat ad equipmet; supervisig, maagig ad beig resposible for work practices/work o site; supplyig PPE for employees, icludig hired persoel (the licece holder supplyig the labour will provide their employees with their ow RPE); otifyig the work (o a ASB5) to the eforcig authority; checkig that the hired employees have bee traied successfully, face-fit tested for RPE ad have udergoe a medical etc. Copies of these records should be kept with other site documetatio; recordig exposure levels for the hired employees ad esurig this iformatio is provided to the licece holder who supplied the labour, for maiteace of health surveillace records. Supplyig supervisory or maagemet persoel 2.34 If a licece holder supplies a employee to work i a supervisory or maagemet capacity for aother licece holder, the both licece holders are deemed to have resposibility for the work. I such situatios, both compaies are required to otify the eforcig authority at least 14 days before work begis. Orgaisatios who hold restricted liceces ad act as recruitmet agecies are oly permitted to supply persoel at operative level (see paragraph 2.30). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 37 of 181

37 Health ad Safety Chapter 3: Risk assessmets, plas of work ad otificatios for work with ACMs Summary Risk assessmets: should idetify all the risks associated with the asbestos work; should be carried out by a competet perso; should describe the work, the expected exposures ad methods of cotrol. Plas of work: should iclude the site-specific details of the work (scope, removal methods, all procedures ad arragemets for smoke testig, air moitorig etc); should iclude a detailed diagram of the locatio of the work routes; should be made available to employees, others ivolved i the work ad the aalyst. Notificatios ad waivers: should be made to the eforcig authority, 14 days before work is due to start; waivers, permittig a earlier start date, are oly give for geuie emergecies. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 38 of 181

38 Health ad Safety Cotets Itroductio 40 What is the differece betwee a RA ad a POW? 40 Risk assessmets 40 Why are RAs eeded ad whe should they be doe? 40 Who should do the RA? 40 What should a RA cover? 41 What should be recorded? 42 Whe should assessmets be reviewed? 43 Plas of work 43 Why are POWs eeded? 43 What does the ACOP say should be icluded i a POW? 43 What does this mea i practice? 44 What should be cosidered i POWs by full licece holders? 45 What should be cosidered i POWs by supervisory licece holders? 46 What should be cosidered i POWs by acillary licece holders? 47 Whe ad why do POWs have to be provided to eforcig authorities? 48 Whe should POWs be reviewed? 48 Notificatios ad waivers 48 Notificatios 48 Waivers 49 Paperwork required o site 50 For the cotract 50 For the equipmet 51 For your employees 51 Appedix 3.1: ASB5 otificatio 52 Appedix 3.2: Site diagram 53 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 39 of 181

39 Health ad Safety Itroductio 3.1 This chapter covers RAs, POWs ad otificatios for licesable work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatigs ad AIB. What is the differece betwee a RA ad a POW? 3.2 A RA is the process the employer udertakes to establish all the risks associated with the asbestos work ad the precautios eeded to prevet or miimise those risks. The POW or method statemet is specific to a particular job. Its purpose is to provide a practical documet, which summarises the key cotrol measures resultig from the RA. These measures are based o the specific features of a particular locatio ad the work ivolved. The POW is iteded to direct the work of the asbestos removal team (icludig the aalyst). 3.3 There is clear overlap betwee the cotet of the RA ad the cotet of the POW. It is therefore acceptable where such overlaps occur, that iformatio is ot repeated. POWs will ofte cotai material that uder the followig guidace is referred to as part of the RA. Risk assessmets Why are risk assessmets eeded ad whe should they be doe? 3.4 Regulatio 6 of CAWR requires employers to udertake a suitable ad sufficiet RA before carryig out ay work which is liable to expose their employees (ad others who may be affected by the work) to asbestos. The RA should esure that all potetial risks to health are fully cosidered 3.5 The RA esures that the scope of the proposed works is properly cosidered, so the potetial risks ca be fully established. This will help idetify appropriate work methods, so exposure to asbestos ca be adequately cotrolled ad legal obligatios satisfied. For this reaso, it should be doe i time to allow for compliace with all the relevat regulatios ad to eable the appropriate precautios to be take before work begis. The assessmet process ca also be assisted by ivolvig employees. Workers are extremely well-placed to idetify problems ad issues ad ca assess the practical implicatios of work methods ad cotrol systems. They will be able to assist i the developmet of effective ad workable risk cotrol measures. Who should do the RA? 3.6 The RA must be doe by a competet perso who should: have adequate kowledge, traiig ad expertise i uderstadig the risks from asbestos; kow how the work activity may disturb asbestos; kow what precautios should be take to miimise exposure to asbestos; be familiar with ad uderstad the requiremets of CAWR ad the appropriate Approved Codes of Practice; have the ability ad the authority to collate all the ecessary, relevat iformatio; have the kowledge, skills ad experiece to make iformed decisios about the risks ad precautios that are eeded; ad be able to assess o-asbestos risks o site. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 40 of 181

40 Health ad Safety What should a RA cover? 3.7 The RA should idetify all the risks associated with the asbestos work. Guidace o what the RA should iclude is set out i paragraphs The RA should iclude: a descriptio of the work (eg repair, removal, ecapsulatio of ACM or maiteace ad testig of plat ad equipmet cotamiated with ACMs) ad a ote of the scale ad expected duratio of the work; details of either the type of asbestos ad the results of ay aalysis, or a statemet that the asbestos is ot chrysotile aloe, so that the stricter actio levels ad cotrol limits apply; the quatity, extet, coditio, thickess ad type of ACM, icludig how it is fixed or attached to substrates. 3.8 The items listed i paragraph 3.7 cover specific matters (such as the work activity, ad the asbestos product ad type (icludig coditio)), so that the appropriate cotrol regime ca be implemeted. It is essetial to establish the asbestos product to cofirm that the licesig regulatios apply. It is also importat to have iformatio o the physical status of the ACM. Kowig the coditio ad thickess is particularly relevat to establish the fier details of the removal method, eg the type ad shape of wet ijectio eedles to be used, ad if ay preparatio work is required (such as pre-drillig or arragemets to attach eedles or the eed for a coatig). Also kowig how the ACM is attached or fixed to the adjoiig material (glued, ailed, screwed, or a combiatio), is importat to esure that the removal steps ca be properly plaed ad the most appropriate removal techique or combiatio of techiques are used. 3.9 I additio, havig iformatio o the material size ad locatio (eg its legth ad spa, whether it exteds ito other rooms ad work areas) is importat. It meas the umber of eclosures required, ad the ecessary arragemets for the trasfer of waste, ca be properly assessed. The extet of ay overspray, debris or other cotamiatio beyod the actual ACM should also be established. This iformatio will help to avoid ay cofusio over the work beig doe ad which ACMs will remai i place The assessmet should also iclude: details of expected exposures, otig: whether they are liable to exceed a cotrol limit or a actio level ad the umber of people likely to be affected; the level of the expected exposure, so that suitable RPE ca be assessed ad selected; whether ayoe other tha employees may be exposed, ad their expected exposures; whether itermittet higher exposures may arise; ad results already available from air moitorig i similar circumstaces; the steps to be take to cotrol exposure to the lowest level reasoably practicable, eg the type of cotrolled wettig ad method of applicatio, the use of local exhaust vetilatio (LEV) (eg shadow vacuumig), glovebags ad wrap-ad-cut; the reasos for the chose work method. Full justificatio is required if work removig coatig, laggig ad AIB is plaed to be carried out: dry; ad/or i hot coditios; ad/or usig abrasive power tools that impact material. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 41 of 181

41 Health ad Safety Except uder exceptioal circumstaces dry work, hot work ad work usig power tools is ot acceptable ad must ot be carried out 3.11 Hot work is to be avoided where possible. It itroduces heat stress risks, which are extremely difficult to maage, ad it ca lead to deterioratio i asbestos cotrol. It will oly be permitted i exceptioal ad fully justifiable circumstaces. Hot work is discussed i paragraphs The thermal risks from hot workig should be assessed uder other regulatios (see paragraph 3.13) Also icluded i the RA should be: the steps take to cotrol the release of asbestos ito the eviromet, eg: eclosures ad egative pressure; where a eclosure is ot plaed (ie the RA shows a eclosure to be uecessary), icludig whe wrap-ad-cut ad glovebags are beig proposed, a full justificatio is required o how the potetial spread of asbestos is to be preveted, icludig arragemets for segregatio; decotamiatio procedures. procedures for the removal of waste ad cotamiated tools ad equipmet from the work area ad the site; procedures for the selectio, provisio, use ad decotamiatio of PPE, which icludes RPE; the arragemets to esure the premises or parts of premises where the work has take place are left clea ad safe for reoccupatio. These should iclude: details of the areas where clearace certificatio will be sought; cosideratio of potetial problems for clearace certificatio, eg earth floors, limpet spray igraied i cocrete or tar-like layers, wet areas which caot be dried out ad the presece of ACMs which are iteded to remai i the areas after the work is complete; cosideratio of the eed for pre-cleaig (ofte required before settig up ay eclosure); procedures for dealig with emergecies, icludig, eg those associated with work i cofied spaces; the results of relevat medical surveillace; ay other iformatio relevat to safe workig such as other sigificat oasbestos hazards like workig at heights or i cofied spaces (see paragraph 3.13); ay additioal iformatio that may be eeded to complete the RA. The RA should also iclude o-asbestos risks such as falls from height or work i cofied spaces 3.13 Depedig o the work ivolved, employers may also have duties uder other sets of regulatios to carry out a separate RA. For istace, if employees are likely to be exposed to other risks such as falls from height, cofied spaces or hot coditios, assessmets will be required uder the Maagemet of Health ad Safety at Work Regulatios The results of these RAs should be forwarded to all iterested parties, eg the aalyst. What should be recorded? 3.14 The sigificat fidigs of the RA should be recorded i writig ad should form the basis of the POW (see paragraphs ). All of the fidigs from paragraphs 3.7, 3.10 ad 3.12 are deemed to be sigificat. A copy of the sigificat fidigs of the assessmet should be kept readily available o site for the duratio of the work to which they relate; i practice the sigificat fidigs will ofte ed up as part of the POW. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 42 of 181

42 Health ad Safety Whe should assessmets be reviewed? 3.15 Employers should promptly review assessmets whe there is ay reaso to suspect they are o loger valid, where there is a sigificat chage i the work to which the assessmet relates, or whe the results of ay air moitorig or medical surveillace show a review is ecessary. Ay chages to the assessmet (ad potetially the POW, see paragraph 3.31) should the be made as appropriate. Plas of work Why are POWs eeded? 3.16 Regulatio 7 of CAWR requires that a employer prepare a suitable writte POW before ay work with asbestos is udertake. The RA is a vital first step to iform the POW (see paragraph 3.2) The purpose of the POW (ofte called a method statemet) is to provide a practical documet, which details the specific work methods ad cotrol measures for a particular job at a particular locatio. The documet directs the work ad is a source of referece for the asbestos removal team. The POW is a active documet ad if ay sigificat chages o site are ecessary, it should be ameded ad the chages commuicated to the employees. The chages should also be otified i writig to the eforcig authority Employers must make sure their employees follow the POW so far as it is reasoably practicable to do so. If the work caot be carried out i accordace with the pla, it must be stopped ad the risks reassessed. Work should ot start util a ew POW is draw up or util the existig pla is ameded. What does the ACOP say should be icluded i a POW? 3.19 Paragraph 35 of Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace 12 states that the POW should be sitespecific ad should cover i sufficiet detail the followig iformatio: the scope of the work as idetified by the RA (see paragraph 3.7); the address ad locatio where the work is to be carried out; the methods to be used for the work with the asbestos or ACM as idetified i the assessmet, eg the prevetio ad cotrol measures ad the hadlig ad disposal of the waste (see paragraph 3.12); ad the type of equipmet, icludig PPE ad procedures, used for: the protectio ad decotamiatio of those carryig out the work, icludig details of the hygiee facilities, trasit route ad decotamiatio arragemets, vacuum cleaers, air moitorig, protective clothig ad RPE, commuicatio betwee the iside ad outside of the eclosure; the protectio of other people at or ear the work site, icludig the use of barriers ad sigs, locatio of eclosures ad airlocks, locatio of skips, NPUs, air moitorig, cleaig ad clearace certificatio, emergecy procedures. A POW should iclude a detailed site diagram 3.20 The ACOP suggests other thigs that could be icluded as good practice. These are details of checks udertake for other hazards, the ame of the supervisor ad the ame of the orgaisatio that will udertake site clearace certificatio, ad details of other earby ACMs which have ot to be removed. Listig earby ACMs should prevet cofusio betwee the work beig doe ad ACMs remaiig i place. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 43 of 181

43 Health ad Safety 3.21 I all cases, work should ot be udertake util there is a copy of the POW available o site. The pla should be made available to employees, ad to ay others ivolved i the work, as ecessary. Full licece holders should also make the pla available to the aalyst who is carryig out the four-stage clearace process. The pla should remai o site for the duratio of the work to which it relates. The POW should be made available to employees, others ivolved i the work ad the aalyst who will carry out the four-stage clearace What does this mea i practice? 3.22 The POW should cotai the site ad task-specific iformatio. This is the iformatio which relates to the site ad job, the layout ad desig of the work area ad eclosure, ad the specific cotrols which will be employed. The POW should cotai such iformatio as the locatio of the DCU, the trasit route ad how a modular DCU is to be deployed ad restricted to use by oe or two people etc Geeric iformatio coverig compay procedures should ot be icluded i idividual POWs. Istead this iformatio should be cotaied i the latest versio of the compay s stadard procedures, a copy of which should be held o every site. These procedures oly eed to be expaded upo i the idividual site-specific POW whe the site proposals differ from the geeric iformatio.the items that ca be covered i stadard procedures are listed i Box 3.1. Box 3.1 Items that ca be covered i stadard procedures Some cotrol measures (eg costructio ad testig of eclosures, barriers, warig otices etc). Use of PPE icludig RPE (eg selectio, use, face fits, system of coloured coveralls etc). Air moitorig (eg persoal, backgroud etc). Site ispectio (eg supervisory arragemets). Checkig ad maiteace of equipmet (eg testig ad certificatio of NPUs ad RPE etc). Decotamiatio (eg prelimiary ad full procedures, hygiee facilities etc). Waste (eg baggig, trasportig, storage). Emergecy arragemets (eg fire, eclosure breach, uplaed ACM disturbace etc) A copy of the curret versio of the compay s stadard procedures, bearig the relevat referece umber ad date, should be set to the HSE Head Office ALPI for their retetio ad future referece. A copy, where requested, should also be made available to other eforcig authority ispectors ad ay persoel ivolved i the work. This applies to all licece holders. Geeric POWs are ot acceptable, uless they are desiged to cover a series of very similar asbestos removal jobs, such as at a block of flats or a series of houses i oe locatio where the method is applicable to each property 3.25 Paragraphs provide a practical iterpretatio of the ACOP requiremets i respect of the POW for the three differet types of licece holder, amely full, supervisory or acillary licece holders (ALHs). The paragraphs summarise the site-specific iformatio that should be cosidered i a POW for each of the differet licece holders. (Remember however that the site-specific iformatio should be expaded upo i the POW if it differs from the geeric procedures). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 44 of 181

44 Health ad Safety What should be cosidered i POWs by full licece holders? 3.26 The site-specific details that should be covered by full licece holders are as follows. Details of cotract The ame ad local address of the people to whom the licece holder is cotracted. The ames, job titles, ad telephoe umbers of all relevat cotacts, icludig the site supervisor ad the competet perso preparig the POW. Whe the supervisor will be o site. The umber of employees o the job at ay time. Whe the work is goig to take place, ie dates ad times (days, ights, weeked work, etc), the dates for set up, removal ad clearace. The ames of the pricipal cotractor, the plaig supervisor ad cliet, if the Costructio (Desig ad Maagemet) Regulatios apply. The ame(s) of ay other asbestos licece holders ivolved. The ame of the aalyst or orgaisatio that will carry out the four-stage clearace process ad issue the certificate of reoccupatio. It should also state who has cotracted the aalyst. Scope of work ad RA Brief details of ay asbestos survey, the level (Type 1, 2 or 3) who did this ad whe. A descriptio of the work, its locatio ad the removal method. The type ad form of asbestos, the quatity, extet ad coditio. Brief details of ay access ad fire risks ad precautios take, ad ay other risks (eg workig at heights, hazardous substaces). Who has authority to cosider departures from the POW ad how will these be oted ad recorded o site, ad reported to the eforcig authority? Cotrol measures The expected exposure usig the cotrols specified. The steps take to reduce exposure as low as reasoably practicable ad to cotrol release ito the eviromet. A site diagram - see Box 3.2. The volume of eclosure, size ad umbers of NPUs ad umber of air chages per hour. If NPUs coform to PAS 60-2 (see Box 7.1). The type of respirators actually used. The air moitorig arragemets for the duratio of the work. The arragemets for smoke testig ad witessig. The arragemets for maitaiig cotrol measures o site ad what checks are to be i place. Method of work for removal Ay additioal precautios to reduce exposure. Detailed site iformatio ad a site-specific descriptio of the workig method to be used with reasos. Details of the fibre-suppressat techique to be used. For a wet strip system: describe the ijectio techique, approximate time allowed for peetratio, what idicator will be used to check all the material is fully saturated. State whether equipmet complies with PAS 60-1 stadard (see Box 7.1). The tools ad other equipmet to be used. For AIB work, details of the practical measures to miimise dust release, ad iformatio o the way the ACM is fixed to the substrate. For other wettig systems, state the type to be used, eg airless spray, spray uit. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 45 of 181

45 Health ad Safety Other relevat site-specific iformatio (but oly where it differs from the stadard procedures) DCUs (eg use of modular uits, security issues). Etry ad exit procedures to the areas of workig. Welfare facilities. Waste disposal. Emergecy procedures. Box 3.2 Site diagram The diagram supplied as part of the POW should show the followig: the eclosure(s) or work area(s); adjacet rooms or areas to the eclosure or work area; locatio of viewig paels; locatio of NPUs; locatio of the airlock; locatio of the baglock; locatio of the hygiee uit; locatio of the skip; trasit route; waste route; size ad dimesios of the eclosure or work area, adjoiig rooms, trasit ad waste routes. What should be cosidered i POWs by supervisory licece holders? 3.27 The supervisory licece eables the holder (ie SLH) to have direct ad immediate ifluece ad cotrol over site activities to assist all dutyholders ivolved i the work i achievig compliace with CAWR. For SLHs, the POW eeds oly to spell out site-specific details i relatio to the licece holder s role supervisig the mai removal cotractor. The site-specific details that should be covered by the SLH are as follows. Details of cotract The ame ad local address of the SLH s cliet, ie people the SLH is cotracted to. The ame of the licesed asbestos cotractor(s). The ames, job titles ad telephoe umbers of all relevat cotacts, icludig the site supervisor ad the competet perso preparig the SLH pla of work. Whe the SLH supervisor will be o site. Whe the work is goig to take place, ie dates ad times (ights, weeked work, etc), the dates for set up, removal ad clearace. The ames of the pricipal cotractor, plaig supervisor ad CDM cliet, if CDM applies. Scope of work ad RA Brief details of ay asbestos survey, survey type (ie Type 1, 2 or 3), author ad date. A brief descriptio of the work to be udertake by the licesed removal cotractor(s) ad its locatio ad the removal method. The type ad form of asbestos, the quatity, extet ad coditio. Brief details of ay access ad fire risks ad precautios take. The terms of referece for the SLH s ivolvemet i the work (what exactly will the SLH be doig?). Who will cosider departures from the POW ad how will these be oted ad recorded o site. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 46 of 181

46 Health ad Safety Supervisory licece holder s ow work The arragemets for commuicatios with the various parties ivolved, ie the SLH s cliet, licesed removal cotractor(s), aalysts etc. Does the SLH s cliet ad the licesed asbestos cotractor uderstad the role? The arragemets to check the licesed cotractor s documetatio (eg test certificates for equipmet; medical certificates; method statemets; maiteace records; site log (icludig daily check of the eclosure ad DCU); traiig records (for asbestos work); face-fit test records for RPE; records of RPE ispectio; copy of the licece). The type of respirators used. The arragemets i place to stop or modify work practices (is the SLH certai that they have the power to esure that actio is take?). The arragemets for air moitorig (whe, where, by whom, type, recordig of exposure levels). The arragemets for four-stage clearace procedure ad the arragemets to resolve ay issues that arise, eg usealed surfaces i the eclosure or a wet eclosure. The arragemets for DCU clearace testig. Other relevat site-specific iformatio Use of the DCU. Etry ad exit procedures. Welfare facilities. Emergecy procedures. What should be cosidered i POWs by acillary licece holders? 3.28 The site-specific details that should be covered by the ALH are as follows. Details of cotract The ame ad local address of the people to whom the ALH is cotracted. The ame of the licesed asbestos cotractor(s). The ames, job titles, ad telephoe umbers of all relevat cotacts, icludig the site supervisor ad the competet perso preparig the POW. Whe the ALH supervisor will be o site. The umber of employees o the job at ay time. Details of whe the ALH s work is goig to take place, ie dates ad times (ights, weeked work, etc), the dates for scaffold erectio, dismatlig etc. The ames of the pricipal cotractor, plaig supervisor ad CDM cliet, if CDM applies. Scope of work ad RA A descriptio of the work ad its locatio. The type ad form of asbestos, the quatity, extet ad coditio. Brief details of ay access ad fire risks ad the precautios take. Who will cosider departures from the POW ad how these will be oted ad recorded o site. Cotrol measures What measures will be used to reduce exposure. The type of ay respirators used. Method of work Detailed site iformatio ad a site-specific descriptio of the workig method to be used with reasos. What tools ad other equipmet are to be used. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 47 of 181

47 Health ad Safety Other relevat site-specific iformatio Use of the DCU. Etry ad exit procedures. Welfare facilities. Emergecy procedures. Whe ad why do POWs have to be provided to eforcig authorities? 3.29 POWs should be provided to the eforcig authority as part of the otificatio process at least 14 days before the work is due to start (see paragraphs ). The eforcig authority does ot approve POWs. However the otificatio period gives the eforcig authority the opportuity to assess the proposals cotaied i the POW ad to ispect the site either before or durig the work if they choose to. If a particular POW does ot cotai the miimum iformatio required by regulatio 7 of CAWR, it is liable to be rejected. The licece holder will be iformed of the deficiecies ad may have to resubmit their POW. Where resubmissio is required, a ew 14-day otificatio period will apply. Whe should POWs be reviewed? 3.30 As with RAs, POWs should be reviewed whe there is reaso to suspect they are o loger valid, particularly if: fibre cotrol methods chage (eg multipoit ijectio replaced with airless sprayig); there is doubt about the efficiecy of the cotrol measures (eg dry patches occurrig durig multipoit ijectio removal); there is a sigificat chage i the type of work, method of work, or extet of the work (eg more ad/or differet types of ACM are discovered); there is a chage of site layout/access arragemets; the results of air moitorig idicate the exposure levels to be higher tha previously assessed; or the results of medical surveillace show that a review is ecessary Ay chages made later must be recorded i writig ad be otified (i writig) to the eforcig authority ad employees. Notificatios ad waivers Notificatios 3.32 As idicated i Box 2.1 ad paragraph 3.29, licece holders are required as a coditio of their licece to otify the eforcig authority (either HSE or the local authority) with details of the proposed work at least 14 days before it is due to start. The otificatio cosists of a completed ASB5 form (see Appedix 3.1) (or equivalet), a suitable ad sufficiet POW (or method statemet) ad equipmet specificatio, ad a copy of the licece. Each licece holder ivolved i a particular job (ie, full, supervisory or acillary licece holder), must submit their ow otificatio All otificatios received by HSE are subject to a admiistrative check for completeess, timeliess of submissio etc. If ay of the papers are missig (eg the site diagram) or are iadequate, the the otificatio is icomplete ad the 14-day otificatio period will ot start. Eforcig authorities do ot agree or approve otificatio, or do they approve method statemets/pows or ackowledge receipt of them. However, licece holders are ecouraged to submit their otificatios to HSE by ad to set their system to receive a automatic ackowledgemet of receipt. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 48 of 181

48 Health ad Safety 3.34 A proportio of otificatios are selected for closer scrutiy. As outlied i paragraph 3.29, if HSE fids deficiecies, the the licece holder will be iformed ad may have to resubmit their POW. The 14-day otificatio period will oly start oce a modified pla is received. Ay chages to the POW should be otified i writig to the relevat eforcig authority office. Agai, the otificatio period will oly start whe the modified papers are received i the appropriate eforcig authority office. Papers arrivig outside ormal office hours will be deemed to have bee received the ext workig day Employers doig work o asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad AIB o their ow premises, with their ow employees, are exempt from holdig a licece, but they must otify uder regulatio 5 of ASLIC. This requires them to give the relevat eforcig authority 14 days writte otice of their itetio to carry out work. The otificatio should iclude the address ad telephoe umber where the work is to be carried out, ad a descriptio of the work. A sigle otificatio is permissible for work which is likely to be regularly repeated o the premises. Waivers 3.36 There may be occasios whe a geuie emergecy arises, as a result of which the eforcig authority may allow a shorter period before the work begis It is HSE s policy that waiver requests will be grated oly whe there is a geuie emergecy or equally pressig reaso. Examples of such situatios are: cases where there is a immiet risk to health, the eviromet, or where there is public alarm, ad the risk caot be avoided simply by leavig the area ad allowig it to remai udisturbed, ad/or the area caot be sealed; cases where asbestos is foud durig work ad its presece would ot have bee reasoably foreseeable or reasoably practicable to detect (eg uless a itrusive Type 3 survey was udertake), ad where the delay caused by waitig for the 14-day otificatio period before dealig with the asbestos would lead to sigificat fiacial loss; cases where a breakdow i plat or equipmet requires urget remedial actio; cases where there is or is liable to be worry or hardship for domestic cliets, icludig old or ifirm people I a emergecy, a waiver may be grated based upo telephoe otificatio. However this must be followed by the paperwork listed i paragraph Waivers are ulikely to be grated to accommodate lack of foresight ad plaig by a cliet or cotractor, uless a immediate risk of sigificat exposure has bee created ad the area cocered caot be sealed off to prevet that exposure All waiver requests must be set with: the ASB5; a suitable ad sufficiet method statemet ad equipmet specificatio, icludig a site diagram (see Box 3.2); writte cofirmatio from the cotractor s cliet to support the request (ie evidece from the cliet that there is a emergecy or equally pressig reaso, see paragraph 3.44) If disaster recovery work is proposed at short otice out of ormal hours, HSE will accept a request by fax or (local office arragemets for the latter permittig) to waive the ormal 14-day otificatio period for emergecy weeked Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 49 of 181

49 Health ad Safety or bak holiday work provided: the request is made as soo as practicable after the compay is asked to udertake the work; the work with asbestos material is limited to that which is ecessary to deal with the immediate emergecy to make a situatio safe; ad the request icludes the iformatio ormally expected for ay waiver request, as listed i paragraph HSE will review ay requests for waivers received i such circumstaces to check that they satisfy these criteria. If it traspires that compaies makig out-ofhour requests appear to be udertakig work which does ot arise from a geuie emergecy, HSE may cosider eforcemet actio, licece amedmet or refusal to accept further waiver requests from such compaies The dates stated o the waiver request for a smoke test ad for the start of work must be adhered to uless alteratios are agreed with the appropriate ispector Writte cofirmatio from the cotractor s cliet should provide: cliet ad locatio details. This should iclude the ame ad address of the cliet, the ature of the activity at the cliet s address, the umber of people based there ad the umber affected by the asbestos-related problem; a descriptio of the locatio of the asbestos, its type ad coditio before the problem arose; a descriptio of the steps take to idetify ad maage the asbestos i these premises (submittig the asbestos survey report if applicable); a descriptio of the ature of the problem i detail, the extet of the damage to asbestos ad how ad why it occurred, ad whether the damage was foreseeable; a detailed descriptio of the cosequeces if a waiver to the 14-day otificatio is ot grated. Paperwork required o site 3.45 The list below outlies the paperwork that should be o site for the duratio of the cotract. If origial certificates are ot available o site, the copies kept o site should be autheticated at a seior maagemet level to provide cofirmatio of their validity. For the cotract Curret asbestos licece. POW (method statemet), icludig details of ay modificatios that have bee made ad otified to the eforcig authority. ASB5 otificatio ad waiver (where grated). Other RAs (icludig assessmets uder the Cotrol of Substaces Hazardous to Health Regulatios 2002 (COSHH) (as ameded) 16 ad assessmets made uder the Maagemet of Health ad Safety at Work Regulatios 1999). 10 Employer s liability compulsory isurace certificate. A copy of the compay s curret stadard procedures. Site log. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 50 of 181

50 Health ad Safety For the equipmet Test certificates for NPUs ad ay other plat i use (as appropriate). A clearace certificate for the DCU. Ispectio reports for RPE, thorough examiatio ad test plat etc. Daily records of checks o eclosure, DCU ad air extractio. Smoke test certificate. For your employees Medical certificates for all persoel workig with asbestos. RPE face-fit records for all persoel workig with asbestos. Where several pieces of RPE are i use, face-fit records should be o site for all types. Traiig records for all persoel workig with asbestos. Persoal moitorig results (if performed). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 51 of 181

51 Health ad Safety Appedix 3.1 ASB5 otificatio Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 52 of 181

52 Health ad Safety Appedix 3.2 Site diagram (a) Airlocks Eclosure wall Plat room Catee Groud floor NPU First floor Skip DCU Recordig of the site layout as a diagram, (a) shows the 3-dimesioal layout ad (b) is a example of how the site could be recorded as a clearace diagram. Dark areas show work areas ad light areas show other areas which eed to be ispected. (b) Airlocks Tet Plat room Work areas For ispectio Catee NPU Mai car park Skip DCU Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 53 of 181

53 Health ad Safety Chapter 4: Traiig for employees, supervisors ad others workig with ACMs Summary Employees of licesed asbestos compaies should ot be allowed to start work without havig received the appropriate level of traiig. There should be a clear traiig strategy ad policy. Take care over either the developmet or choice of the appropriate traiig courses, with particular referece to the use of a traiig eeds aalysis. Traiig courses should be desiged to meet the course criteria i Appedix 4.3 ad the course cotet i Appedices 4.1 ad 4.2. Traiig is ot a ed i itself ad must be followed up by o-the-job cosolidatio of the kowledge ad skills acquired. Seior maagemet should esure that the traiig policy cotiues to be implemeted ad is still relevat. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 54 of 181

54 Health ad Safety Cotets Itroductio 56 Why is traiig required? 56 Traiig strategy model 56 Stage 1: Drawig up a traiig policy 57 Stage 2: Idetifyig traiig eeds 57 Stage 3: Choosig a exteral traiig course or developig i-house traiig 57 Stage 4: Checkig that appropriate traiig has bee delivered 61 Stage 5: Record-keepig 61 Stage 6: Cosolidatio of skills ad kowledge 62 Stage 7: Moitorig, auditig ad policy review 62 Further iformatio 62 Appedix 4.1: Asbestos traiig modules 1-23 (scaffolders oly): Iitial traiig 63 Appedix 4.2: Asbestos traiig modules 24-27: Practical traiig 70 Appedix 4.3: Course criteria for people carryig out or supervisig asbestos removal or acillary work 71 Appedix 4.4: Carryig out a TNA 73 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 55 of 181

55 Health ad Safety Itroductio 4.1 This chapter explais the ature of the traiig that should be give to the various types of persoel ivolved i licesed asbestos removal work, ie asbestos removal orgaisatios, SLHs ad ALHs. The guidace cotais a outlie pla for the traiig required for the differet persoel. The traiig topics are preseted i the form of modules (see Appedices 4.1 ad 4.2). The traiig modules have bee prepared takig ito accout the Europea level report Fial report o the developmet of practical guidelies for the traiig of asbestos removal workers. 17 Appedix 4.3 cotais the agreed desig criteria that asbestos courses should follow. The three appedices have bee draw up after cosultatio with the asbestos traiig providers kow to HSE (a list is available at Why is traiig required? 4.2 Regulatio 9 of CAWR requires employers to esure that adequate iformatio, istructio ad traiig are give to their employees who are liable to be exposed to asbestos or who supervise such employees. The aim of this regulatio is to esure that employees are equipped with the relevat skills ad kowledge to eable them to remove asbestos safely or to supervise such work, by miimisig their exposure to asbestos. 4.3 Followig this guidace will help employers to fulfil the traiig requiremets set out i paragraphs of the ACOP, Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace. 12 This icludes the eed to provide role-specific traiig for all employees workig with asbestos. 4.4 Traiig o its ow does ot make people workig with asbestos competet. Traiig must be cosolidated so that the perso becomes cofidet, skilful ad kowledgeable i practice o the job (see paragraph 4.37). Traiig strategy model 4.5 To assist i meetig traiig eeds, all orgaisatios ivolved i asbestos work should have a traiig strategy. Paragraphs provide the details of a model for a traiig strategy (see Box 4.1). Box 4.1 Traiig strategy model Stage1: Drawig up a traiig policy. Stage 2: Idetifyig traiig eeds. Stage 3: Choosig a exteral traiig course or developig i-house traiig. Stage 4: Checkig that appropriate traiig has bee delivered. Stage 5: Record-keepig. Stage 6: Cosolidatio of skills ad kowledge. Stage 7: Moitorig, auditig ad policy review. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 56 of 181

56 Health ad Safety Stage 1: Drawig up a traiig policy 4.6 The traiig policy should set out the followig poits. Who is resposible for maagig the traiig policy. How traiig eeds will be idetified. Whether the orgaisatio has the competece ad resources to deliver traiig itself or requires the assistace of a traiig provider. What to do if a employee fails a traiig course. How to determie whether traiig objectives have bee met. How traiig will be recorded ad kept up to date. How follow-up, o-the-job traiig will be implemeted to cosolidate ew skills ad kowledge. How to idetify traiig eeds for refresher traiig. How to moitor ad review the policy. How the competece of the employee will be determied. Stage 2: Idetifyig traiig eeds 4.7 What is a traiig eed? A traiig eed is a specific chage i behaviour that is required to improve performace i a particular job or to brig a ew recruit up to speed. The techique called traiig eeds aalysis (TNA) ivolves a descriptio of the differece betwee the existig behaviour ad a desired behaviour. For example, a experieced asbestos removal operative fails to follow the correct decotamiatio sequece or a ew recruit does ot kow the right way to decotamiate. I these istaces, the traiig eed would be to uderstad ad apply the decotamiatio procedure i the right order ad a traiig programme should be chose or draw up that meets this eed. A guide to carryig out TNA ad a accompayig flow chart ca be foud i Appedix 4.4. TNA is especially relevat for refresher traiig to esure that the course is tailored to the audiece ad is ot a repeat of the basic traiig course. Everyoe employed to work with (or work acillary to) asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB must have their traiig eeds assessed before they start work or before attedig a refresher course. TNA ca be carried out o a group of people ad ot just o a idividual basis. Traiig eeds should be idetified by maagers as part of ogoig site moitorig. It is a employer s resposibility to esure that a TNA is carried out, either i-house or with help from exteral cosultats. Stage 3: Choosig a exteral traiig course or developig i-house traiig 4.8 Traiig ca be delivered i-house provided that the expertise ad resources are available. Staff should have the ecessary skills, kowledge ad experiece to be traiers (see paragraph 4.29) ad there should be suitable traiig facilities. The alterative optio is to use exteral traiig expertise. I both istaces the guidace i paragraphs ca be used to fid/develop suitable traiig for asbestos workers. Course cotet 4.9 The cotet of the differet types of traiig has bee set out i a series of modules coverig core topics for basic traiig, role-specific modules ad refresher traiig. These modules are based o the list of traiig topics set out i the ACOP, Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace 12 (see Appedices 4.1 ad 4.2). Whe choosig a exteral course or desigig a i-house course, these modules should be followed. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 57 of 181

57 Health ad Safety 4.10 Appedix 4.3 sets out traiig course desig criteria such as duratio, tutor to delegate ratio etc, for basic, role-specific ad refresher traiig. These criteria have bee agreed with the asbestos traiig providers listed o the HSE website. Traiig providers should be questioed to esure that the course meets these criteria. Compaies providig i-house traiig should also follow these criteria. Practical traiig 4.11 A review of traiig provided for operatives ad supervisors carried out by the Health ad Safety Laboratory (Review of traiig provided to asbestos removal workers), 18 cocluded that more emphasis was required o the delivery of practical traiig to esure that employees could follow essetial procedures correctly. The term practical i this cotext meas hads-o traiig where delegates practice goig through procedures, usually i a simulated eviromet. For example: carryig out decotamiatio procedures by showerig etc usig a powered, live hygiee uit (ucotamiated); tryig out RPE to esure a good face-fit ad kowig how to carry out maiteace checks; the simulated use of cotrolled wet strippig techiques, such as multi-eedle ijectio systems; costructio of eclosures ad airlocks; maiteace of plat ad equipmet I geeral, where the traiig aims to impart kowledge, it will be mostly theory-based. Whe the traiig is about providig skills, the emphasis should be o practical traiig. The latter ca be supplemeted through the use of exercises ad demostratios icludig showig videos, takig part i case studies ad visual demostratios It will be importat for the employer to check that the traiig course icludes modules which have a practical elemet as described i Modules i Appedix 4.2, ad icludes a meas of gaugig attaimet levels. Both practical ad theoretical sectios of the course should be carried out by the same traiig provider. Health ad safety of delegates 4.14 Health ad safety issues should be cosidered durig practical traiig sessios. The traiig provider should be asked what steps have bee take to assess the risks of ruig practical sessios, eg risks from slips, trips ad falls or from electric shock. New recruits 4.15 New employees may have worked i the idustry before, but it should ot be assumed that their experiece is sufficiet to dispese with further traiig. For example, ew recruits may be uaware of their employer s safety policy, i particular systems of work curretly i force or the protective equipmet used. They may also have received iadequate traiig i the past ad may ot fully appreciate the dagers of asbestos. Iductio traiig coverig i-house health ad safety procedures will therefore be ecessary for all ew employees eve if they have already received basic traiig i asbestos. This will iclude traiig i health risks, emergecy procedures, waste disposal ad the compay s ow iductio before beig allowed to work eve outside the eclosure. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 58 of 181

58 Health ad Safety Existig employees 4.16 The cotiuig traiig eeds of existig employees should be assessed regularly. Iformatio ad traiig updates o, eg ew workig techiques or chages to legislatio should be give at the earliest opportuity. Do ot ecessarily wait for the aual refresher traiig which, although it is a useful vehicle for gettig such iformatio across, may be too far i the future. Evidece of delegates successful completio of basic traiig should be provided to exteral traiig providers before erollig them o refresher traiig. Types of traiig 4.17 Delegates with differet roles should ot participate i the same course. Traiig will be based o the role of the employee. I additio, traiig will deped o the experiece of the employee. It is divided ito two categories: iitial traiig; refresher traiig. Iitial traiig 4.18 Iitial traiig is required for employees ew to licesed asbestos work. There are certai key topics that must be covered by people ivolved i asbestos removal work, icludig SLHs, maagers ad directors. The depth to which traiers go will be depedet o the TNA ad the role carried out by the idividual(s). The Iitial Traiig Modules 1-23 are set out i Appedix 4.1. Modules apply to scaffolders oly There are particular areas of traiig that are specific to the role of the employee. However, there are some job holders who will have to cover all topic areas to gai a uderstadig of what the others do, so they ca maage or supervise them. Such job holders iclude maagers, directors ad SLHs. Rolespecific Modules are icorporated ito Appedix 4.1 ad iclude the followig roles: operatives; supervisors of asbestos removal work; maagers ad directors of asbestos removal work; scaffolders (ad scaffoldig maagemet); SLHs. Refresher traiig 4.20 The aim of refresher traiig is to idetify good ad bad practice ad to esure that the good practice is shared ad that bad practices are stopped. TNA will help to make the aual courses more relevat to delegates. Refresher traiig should aim to achieve the followig objectives: fulfil idetified traiig eeds; impart ew iformatio, eg chages i legislatio ad work practices (such as use of ew equipmet or wettig techiques); remid employees of the risks they face workig with asbestos; reiforce procedures such as the use of hygiee facilities, use ad maiteace of RPE ad how to use cotrolled removal techiques; share good practice ad elimiate bad practice It is importat to esure that staff are booked o the appropriate course, ie a refresher traiig course ad ot a repeat of the iitial traiig modules. I the former there will be greater emphasis o carryig out practical traiig through the use of demostratio techiques. If traiig eeds are idetified that require practical traiig, the course time may eed to icrease to icorporate such sessios. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 59 of 181

59 Health ad Safety 4.22 The term supervisor, maager ad director relate to the perso s resposibilities ad the fuctio of their role ad ot their job title. It is essetial that people are set o the course or series of modules that best reflect their role. The subjects i the modules outlied i Appedices 4.1 ad 4.2 will vary i depth accordig to the role of the delegates. For example a supervisor will eed to have good fault-fidig skills to check coditios o site, whereas a director will oly eed a overview of what checks the supervisor should be carryig out Where oly two or three operatives will be o site for the duratio of the job (without a floatig supervisor), oe perso should be actig i a supervisory capacity. The perso should have bee traied at a supervisory level ad have the ecessary skills ad authority to supervise the others Directors should kow about the licesig requiremets ad the implicatios of ot complyig with the stadards set out i the ACOPs ad asbestos legislatio. Assessmet 4.25 The cotet of traiig ad pace of delivery should be iflueced by a employee s previous kowledge ad experiece. A traiee s performace should be assessed at regular itervals so that the course istructor ca keep the employer iformed about his or her progress. A test, set by the course istructor, should idicate that the traiee has successfully completed the traiig programme. It will also be appropriate to assess performace i practical sessios, such as the fittig of RPE (see Module 25, Appedix 4.2) A traiee whose fial assessmet is usatisfactory, or who has ot completed all the core modules, should ot be permitted to work i areas where exposure is liable to exceed the relevat cotrol limit util additioal traiig has bee give ad he or she has achieved a satisfactory pass mark (see Assessmet of attaimet levels Appedix 4.3) As a employer it is importat to check that the traiig provider will assess delegates, as it is o loger acceptable for delegates to receive a traiig certificate for attedace oly. Delegates should be iformed of their pass mark ad should be give a copy of their traiig certificate. Delivery techiques 4.28 HSL s report cocluded that it is very importat to motivate delegates to participate i the traiig. It is particularly importat to remember that the majority of the delegates will ot be used to beig i a educatioal eviromet ad are more used to learig by doig. Ask the traiig provider which of the followig techiques they use to motivate delegates: variatio of delivery methods, eg videos, lecture style, exercise, practical; makig the traiig objectives relevat to delegates work ad role; ecouragig group discussio; providig feedback o progress by the meas of assessmet. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 60 of 181

60 Health ad Safety Competece of traiers 4.29 All traiig should be provided by istructors who are competet, ie they have adequate persoal practical experiece i the asbestos sector, theoretical kowledge of all relevat aspects of the work ad the ability to deliver effective traiig courses. There are o set traiig requiremets for traiers. There are, however, Natioal Vocatioal Qualificatios (NVQs) available i traiig. Traiers should be capable of idetifyig the most appropriate methods of presetatio, how to desig ad evaluate courses ad how to carry out the assessmet of delegate performace. Employers should make equiries about the traier s experiece ad relevat qualificatios. Stage 4: Checkig that appropriate traiig has bee delivered 4.30 Employers should have checks i place to esure that the correct traiig programmes have bee delivered ad that the right people have received the right traiig, ie that ew asbestos workers have covered the iitial modules ad have ot received refresher traiig aimed at experieced employees At the ed of a course the traiig provider should cofirm whether employees have passed the relevat modules. Employers should go o to check that ay specified additioal traiig objectives (ie outside the stadard modules) have bee met. If some traiig objectives have ot bee met, employers should review the iitial traiig eeds. It should be established with the traiig provider whether the delegate should go o a differet type of course ad/or the reasos why the objectives have ot bee covered i sufficiet depth. Employers should esure that employees traiig objectives have bee met durig the traiig programmes atteded. The desig ad cotet of courses should be checked o a regular basis, eg aually, to esure that they are still up to date ad take ay legislative chages ito accout. Stage 5: Record-keepig 4.32 Records eed to be kept i order to demostrate that the workforce has bee suitably traied ad that their traiig has bee kept up to date. Such iformatio will be required at asbestos licece iterviews, carried out by HSE ispectors, as part of the Asbestos Licece Assessmet Guide procedure Employees should be give a copy of their traiig certificate/record. Origials ca be kept cetrally ad copies set to idividual sites. Such iformatio should be carried to site to be checked by visitig Eforcig Authority Ispectors or to accompay the Costructio Skills Certificatio Scheme (CSCS) card. This card is a etry requiremet for larger sites maaged by members of the Mai Cotractors Group (MCG) ivolved i the CSCS scheme It is the log-term aim to have a idustry-wide, recogised idetity card for asbestos removal workers. Curretly, the differet traiig associatios ad idividual traiig providers create their ow certificate or idetity card. Employers should esure that ay such certificate or idetity card supplied by a traiig provider or by a ew employee has the followig: a uique umberig system; the card holder s Natioal Isurace umber; the perso s photograph; the date(s) of the traiig course(s) ad reewal date; the type of course(s) ad the modules passed; the ame, address ad cotact details of the traiig provider The materials used for the card or certificate should ot be easy to forge I order to build up evidece of worker competece, employers ca use logbooks to demostrate the type of work that the employee has bee carryig Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 61 of 181

61 Health ad Safety out ad to what stadard. The use of such logbooks would be useful for those employees tryig to obtai the NVQs i Removal of Asbestos Cotaiig Materials, Level 2. Adequate record-keepig is essetial for effective moitorig (see paragraphs ). Stage 6: Cosolidatio of skills ad kowledge 4.37 It is essetial for recetly traied employees, particularly those ew to asbestos work, to cosolidate their ewly acquired skills ad kowledge by puttig them to use o the job. Supervisors ad maagers will play a importat role i coachig these members of staff by reiforcig good work practices ad correctig ay bad oes. Where persistet problems occur, re-traiig may be required. It is importat to begi the cosolidatio process as soo as possible after traiig has bee provided, but certaily withi three moths. Some form of assessmet will be required to gauge how well the employee is performig. Logbooks ca be used to record examples of work doe which demostrate the applicatio of specific skills. Stage 7: Moitorig, auditig ad policy review Moitorig 4.38 To esure the effective implemetatio ad review of the policy, all aspects of the traiig programme should be moitored. Supervisors will play a importat part i the day-to-day moitorig, but formal moitorig should be the resposibility of seior maagemet. Directors or owers of the compay should take a overall iterest i ad resposibility for the traiig programme ad should moitor its effectiveess. The moitorig arragemets should be set out i the safety policy. Auditig 4.39 Traiig courses should be audited i some way to establish that they meet the course criteria set out i this guidace ad that syllabi have bee delivered effectively. Policy review 4.40 The traiig policy, like all health ad safety policies, should be reviewed o a regular basis. As aual refresher traiig is required, it may be appropriate to review whether the traiig policy is still relevat to busiess eeds o a aual basis. Further guidace o how to moitor ad review policies ca be foud i the HSE guidace booklet Successful health ad safety maagemet. 19 Further iformatio 4.41 For detailed guidace o syllabi, criteria ad assessmet, cotact ay of the traiig providers o the HSE list of traiig providers (see or cotact the ALU. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 62 of 181

62 Health ad Safety APPENDIX 4.1: ASBESTOS TRAINING MODULES 1-23 (SCAFFOLDERS ONLY): INITIAL TRAINING Module o Module 1 1A 1B 1C Title Types uses ad risks of ACMs Operatives Types of asbestos fibres characteristics, uses, idetificatio methods (itroductio), ature ad levels of risk for differet groups of ACMs; history of import, maufacture ad istallatio of differet ACMs; types of products that may cotai asbestos; likely locatios; previous treatmet methods coverig old asbestos applicatios; ACMs friability/coditios whe they will release fibres; recogitio ad eed for cotrol; emergecy ad remedial work Supervisors As for operative, ACMs kow how the presece of asbestos ca be cofirmed (bulk samplig ad aalysis) Maagers/directors ad SLHs As for supervisors Module 2 2A 2B 2C Health hazards of asbestos Operatives How fibres cause disease; types of asbestos-related diseases ad how related to exposure; medicals uder CAWR; eed for dust/fibre suppressio to cotrol exposure; eed for correct use/ maiteace of RPE; health effects of smokig ad risks of takig home asbestos-cotamiated equipmet/clothig etc Supervisors As operatives Maagers/directors ad SLHs As operatives plus outlie of legal resposibilities (CAWR); civil vs crimial law Module 3 3A 3B 3C Legislatio Operatives Duties of the idividual; key duties of the employer; overview of licesig framework; cotrol of exposure as low as reasoably practicable; overview of CAWR; requiremets of the ACOP ad associated guidace; overview of Waste Regulatios 20,21 ad Evirometal Protectio Act. 22 Actio levels ad cotrol limits Supervisors As operatives, but with emphasis o resposibilities of supervisor Maagers/directors ad SLHs As operatives, but with emphasis o maagemet resposibilities; kowledge of which work requires a licece, the types of isurace cover required ad sourcig of iformatio o ACMs Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 63 of 181

63 Health ad Safety Module 4 4A 4B 4C Site set up, maiteace ad dismatlig Operatives Set up: Need for pre-clea; vacuum cleaers; site layout, icludig citig of hygiee uit as close to eclosure as possible; optimal positioig of air/baglocks ad NPUs; explaatio of how NPUs work ad the sigificace of the voltmeter ad pressure gauges ad what chages i the gauge readigs mea; whe pre-filters should be chaged; strategy for calculatig air chages; coectio ad testig of hygiee uit; costructio of eclosures, air/baglocks icludig possible weather protectio; positioig of clear viewig paels; positioig ad wordig for warig otices ad barriers; how to delieate work areas ad trasit routes; smoke testig ad eed for witessig Maiteace: Daily ispectios of eclosure (start, middle ad ed of shift) ad immediate rectificatio of defects; strategy for NPUs to be kept ruig after strippig fiishes for the day Dismatlig: Oce clearace achieved, spray eclosure with sealat, bag ad seal vacuum cleaers, bag other equipmet, dismatle polythee ad dispose of as asbestos waste; fial ispectio of area oce eclosure ad all associated equipmet have bee removed Supervisors Recogise which ACMs are ot beig removed as agreed with cliet. As Operatives ad check certificates for hygiee uit NPU, gas test, clearace i shower ad dirty ed from previous job, NPUs ad vacuum cleaers; how to check for egative pressure i the eclosure; esure that viewig paels (or other viewig meas eg CCTV or webcams) are provided Maagers/directors ad SLHs As supervisors Module 5 5A 5B 5C Cotrolled strippig techiques Operatives Chapter 7 of this guide i detail, icludig priciples of fibre suppressio ad cotrol of exposure; equipmet use of, maiteace ad cleaig; wet ijectio ad sprayig techiques; wrap-adcut; glovebags; direct vacuumig; LEV (shadow vacuumig); vacuum trasfer; air maagemet; preparatio time ad testig of cotrols before removal; wettig aget selectio, preparatio ad use; COSHH requiremets; aticipated ad desired fibre levels ad compariso with RPE maximum exposure levels; persoal assessmet moitorig (priciples); access to persoal assessmet iformatio Supervisors As for operatives plus equipmet ispectios ad records, fault-fidig ad solutios. Moitorig for effectiveess of fibre cotrol techiques ad recordig iformatio Maagers/directors ad SLHs As for operatives ad supervisors, plus equipmet ad wettig aget selectio; maiteace ad traiig requiremets Module 6 6A 6B 6C Respiratory protective equipmet Operatives The circumstaces whe RPE must be wor which may iclude: ispectio of work area, buildig ad dismatlig eclosures, workig i eclosure, takig bags to skip; how to ispect, test ad wear respirator; eed for quatitative face-fit test, a good face seal ad the eed to be clea shave; correct storage, battery chargig ad keepig clea; strategy for chagig pre-filters ad mai filters Supervisors As for operatives Maagers/directors ad SLHs As for operatives Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 64 of 181

64 Health ad Safety Module 7 7A 7B 7C Persoal protective equipmet ad clothig Operatives The use of the appropriate PPE icludig: overalls, headgear, footwear ad gloves; employer requiremets to provide appropriate PPE ad employees obligatios to use it; care, wearig, cleaig, decotamiatio ad/or disposal of PPE; ot takig cotamiated PPE home; trasit overalls; whe ad where PPE should be wor; esure correct use ad maiteace of PPE Supervisors As for operatives plus PPE use durig trasit procedures; cotamiated clothig ad waste; keepig of relevat records Maagers/directors ad SLHs As for supervisors, plus kowledge of practical difficulties of wearig PPE, such as heat/cold ad laudry requiremets Module 8 8A 8B 8C Trasit procedures ad decotamiatio Operatives Persoal decotamiatio procedures for directly coected ad remote (trasit) DCUs ad airlocks icludig: PPE chagig ad disposal, showerig, colour codig of coveralls, RPE decotamiatio, cleaig, chargig ad storage; use of towels; chagig ad disposal of pre ad mai RPE filters; decotamiatio procedures where o eclosure or DCU is required (ope sites); commo problems with decotamiatio; cleaig of airlocks ad DCUs; emergecy decotamiatio i case of evacuatio or accidet; what should be i the DCU, ie mirror, soap/ shower gel Supervisors As for operatives, plus commo problems ad fault-fidig with decotamiatio; air moitorig results i DCUs; ispectio ad record-keepig; the importace of esurig that procedures are followed; makig time available to allow adequate showerig; DCU checks (see Box 8.1) Maagers, directors ad SLHs As supervisors, plus iterpretatio of ispectios ad audit results; the importace of esurig that adequate equipmet, materials ad resources are made available to put the procedures i place Module 9 9A 9B 9C Cleaig ad clearace air testig Operatives Cleaig ad clearace requiremets, icludig the eed for the four-stage clearace process ad associated certificate of reoccupatio; visual clealiess ad air testig requiremets; methods of cleaig for eclosures, hygiee facilities ad equipmet; re-cleaig i evet of air test failure; cleaig after eclosure dismatlig; cleaig i the evet of a emergecy or eclosure/equipmet damage Supervisors As for operatives; the requiremets of aalysts before clearace ispectio ad samplig Maagers/directors ad SLHs As for operatives ad supervisors Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 65 of 181

65 Health ad Safety Module 10 10A 10B 10C Plat ad equipmet (usig demostratio of equipmet) Operatives Equipmet compoets; equipmet use ad maiteace icludig: NPUs, Type H vacuums ad ijectio equipmet (RPE covered separately) Supervisors Equipmet compoets; equipmet use ad maiteace icludig: NPUs ad moitors, Type H vacuums ad ijectio equipmet; citig ad daily maiteace of the hygiee uit; recordkeepig (RPE covered separately) Maagers/directors ad SLHs Outlie of compoets, use ad maiteace of NPUs, Type H vacuums; use ad maiteace of ijectio equipmet; citig ad daily maiteace of hygiee uit; record-keepig (RPE covered separately): eed for ew ijectio equipmet to meet PAS 60 stadard. Module 11 11A 11B 11C Waste maagemet ad disposal Operatives Baggig, sealig ad cleaig; trasportatio through baglock ad airlock; storage of asbestos waste; correct loadig of skip/va Supervisors Outlie of Waste Regulatios; use of cosigmet otes; registratio of carriers; role ad powers of eviromet agecies; trasportatio of dagerous goods; baggig, sealig ad cleaig; trasportatio through baglock ad airlock; storage of asbestos waste; correct loadig of skip/va Maagers/directors ad SLHs As supervisors Module 12 12A 12B 12C Emergecy procedures Operatives What to do i the evet of major ad mior ijuries or illesses occurrig iside live eclosures; what to do i the evet of fire, or some other hazardous release such as toxic gas or radioactive dust occurrig iside or outside eclosure; what to do a if leak of asbestos is foud outside the eclosure; what to do if power o power-assisted respirator fails while iside live eclosure; what to do if the NPUs stop workig; what to do if there is complete loss of electrical power; what to do if loss of water supply to hygiee uit Supervisors As operative, but cofirmig the resposibility of the supervisor to esure that suitable emergecy procedures are i place to cope with the failure of ay cotrol measures or the ijury or ill health of a worker iside cotamiated areas Maagers/directors ad SLHs As operative ad to cofirm they are all i place ad appropriate to specific site ad circumstaces; assessig the competece of operatives ad supervisors, importace of auditig ad moitorig work activities; otificatio of asbestos work Module 13 13A 13B 13C No-asbestos hazards Operatives Site safety procedures; permit-to-work systems; etry ad exit i case of fire; locatio of possible site hazards; emergecy procedures i case of fire, electric shock, burs, hazardous substaces, solvets etc; care of ijured casualty; maual hadlig, oise, vibratio ad fallig object protectio, slips, trips ad falls, eg workig from scaffoldig Supervisors As operative, plus electrical checks for DCU (see Box 8.1) Maagers/directors ad SLHs As supervisors, except electrical checks Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 66 of 181

66 Health ad Safety Module 14 14A 14B Fault-fidig Operatives How to spot problems with wettig of ACMs, RPE, airlocks, eclosures ad hygiee uit Supervisors Work practices how to spot problems with wettig of ACMs, RPE, airlocks, eclosures ad hygiee uit; method statemets; RAs; sigs; record-keepig ad fault reportig procedures 14 C Maagers/directors ad SLHs As Supervisors Note: Maagers/directors eed a overview of fault-fidig while SLHs eed a far more detailed sessio at the level of a supervisor Module 15 15A 15B 15C Roles ad resposibilities Operatives To adhere to the priciples of their traiig; to work to the RA ad POW; whe work should be halted because it does ot match the POW; to work safely ad ot to put others at risk from their acts or omissios; to wear PPE ad RPE correctly ad to report ay defects; to uderstad why they should ot take short cuts Supervisors To esure everyoe complies with regulatios, ACOPs, guidace ad follows the RA ad POW. If the work method has to chage - work is stopped ad reassessed. The RA ad POW are ameded ad persoel iformed of the chages i writig; to esure all persoel are istructed, face-fitted ad have received a medical; all equipmet is ispected ad tested; all daily ispectios are carried out; all documetatio is available ad up to date; the importace of beig o site for key stages of the work ad their crucial role i directig the work ad moitorig stadards of work Maagers/directors ad SLHs As above ad to esure that all activities ad traiig meet the legal requiremets Module 16 16A 16B 16C Site ispectios ad record-keepig Operatives Purpose of site ispectios, site auditig ad record keepig; role of ispector/auditor; resposibilities of operatives; reportig faults ad other problems Supervisors As operative, plus criteria, for site ispectios; actios i evet of faults; record-keepig; scope ad ature of records, use of typical record ad reportig systems Maagers/directors ad SLHs As operative ad supervisor, plus retetio of data, icludig exposure records ad health surveillace; methods ad criteria; iterpretig ad moitorig records; fault-fidig ad solutios; data hadlig ad the eed for site audits Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 67 of 181

67 Health ad Safety Module 17 17A 17B 17C Maagemet systems ad moitorig Operatives Maiteace ad moitorig of cotrol measures; cotrollig exposure to asbestos; esurig that equipmet fuctios correctly; pre-start settig-up; barriers ad sigs; costructio ad testig of eclosures ad airlocks; site moitorig; use/testig of egative pressure equipmet ad vetilatio ad air maagemet systems; correct maiteace of all site equipmet - followig maufacturers operatig istructios, icludig the correct maiteace ad moitorig of the followig cotrol measures: eclosures, exteral services, NPUs, wet strip uits, mobile geerators, water supply, heatig appliaces, PPE, RPE, ay dust suppressio equipmet, tools ad DCUs Supervisors As for operatives, plus site supervisio ad record-keepig of work i progress; method statemets; POWs; moitorig ad auditig work i progress Maagers/directors ad SLHs As supervisors Module 18 18A 18B 18C RAs ad POWs Operatives Itroductio to RAs (kow what they are for) uderstadig the mai poits, right to see sigificat fidigs; requiremets to follow RAs ad risks/pealties if ot followed; the meaig of the cotrol limits ad actio levels Supervisors As operative, plus carryig out RAs ad developig a POW (istructio ad exercise); chages ad amedmets to RA/POW; seekig advice ad iformig of chages; otificatio to HSE whe chage is sigificat ad what is a sigificat chage Maagers/directors ad SLHs As operative ad supervisor, plus otificatio to eforcig authority, review of RA/POWs, recordkeepig ad storage of RA/POW Module 19 19A 19B Iformatio, istructio ad traiig Supervisors How to implemet ad moitor o-job traiig (cosolidatio); how to assess the competece of employees; the types of traiig available ad how to choose the right course; TNA i practice; recogisig the eed for additioal traiig whe ew equipmet or work methods are itroduced Maagers/directors ad SLHs As for supervisors Module 20 Scaffolders: Health risks ad avoidace of exposure 20 All levels How to avoid exposure whe workig ear asbestos; types of asbestos fibres - characteristics, uses, idetificatio methods (itroductio); ature ad levels of risk for differet groups of ACMs; types of products that may cotai asbestos; likely locatios; how fibres cause disease; types of asbestos-related diseases ad how they are related to exposure Module 21 Scaffolders: Use of RPE, PPE ad emergecy decotamiatio procedures 21 All levels How to recogise that exposure has occurred; how to deal with mior ad gross cotamiatio; decotamiatio procedures; what RPE ad PPE to wear ad whe Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 68 of 181

68 Health ad Safety Module 22 Scaffolders: Roles ad resposibilities All levels Legal resposibilities of idividuals, employer ad maagemet; the role of the asbestos removal compay ad SLH; the iformatio that should be shared betwee all parties Module 23 Scaffolders: Maagemet systems Scaffold supervisors/maagers/directors RA ad POW; itroductio to what eclosures are for ad how they are built; moitorig of site coditios; site set-up; emergecy procedures Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 69 of 181

69 Health ad Safety APPENDIX 4.2: ASBESTOS TRAINING MODULES 24-27: PRACTICAL TRAINING Module o Title Module 24 Decotamiatio ad trasit procedures The desig, coectio ad citig of a DCU; explaatio of prelimiary ad full decotamiatio procedures ad use of RPE ad PPE; practisig use of decotamiatio ad trasit procedures i a hygiee uit that is plumbed i ad fully operatioal ad mock airlock/eclosure Module 25 Use ad maiteace of RPE How to esure the RPE is suitable for the user; how to fit RPE o site; how to check faulty RPE ad what to do if a fault is foud; the compoets of each type of RPE; certificatio ad documetatio; suitable storage; requiremets of daily ad mothly ispectios Module 26 Costructio of eclosures ad airlocks Costructio of a eclosure o a pre-erected 50 mm x 50 mm timber framework usig 1000 gauge polythee sheetig, adhesive tape ad staples; costructio of a three-stage airlock system o a pre-erected 50 mm x 50 mm timber framework usig 1000 gauge polythee sheetig ad adhesive tape; costructio of a three-stage airlock system usig metal ad/or plastic framework; costructio of a proprietary airlock system, eg a trastet ; the use ad locatio of viewig paels; the use ad locatio of warig sigs; smoke testig to determie itegrity; the costructio ad locatio of baglocks Module 27 Use of cotrolled strippig techiques The coectio ad use of a ijectio kit to wet pipe isulatio, icludig the demostratio ad use of a effective eedle system eg PAS 60 equipmet they should be able to determie that eedles are the oly effective way to wet isulatio as a result of this sessio ad the importace of adjustable liquid flow rates; shadow or trace vacuumig practice the removal of a tile or duct pael usig this techique Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 70 of 181

70 Health ad Safety APPENDIX 4.3: COURSE CRITERIA FOR PEOPLE CARRYING OUT OR SUPERVISING ASBESTOS REMOVAL OR ANCILLARY WORK A4.3.1 The followig criteria were draw up after cosultatio with the asbestos traiig providers kow to HSE (see Courses should meet these criteria. Durig a licece applicatio or reewal iterview a ALPI will questio ay applicat s traiig that does ot meet these criteria. Course cotet A4.3.2 Modules for iitial traiig ca be foud i Appedices 4.1 ad 4.2. I usig these modules you are likely to achieve compliace with the traiig requiremets of Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace. 12 Courses should be role-specific, ie operatives ad supervisors should ot be mixed together to avoid the more experieced persoel becomig bored ad ew operatives beig afraid to ask questios. A4.3.3 There is o reaso why additioal modules caot be added to courses, but those listed i Appedices 4.1 ad 4.2 are the miimum required for each role. The umbers of the modules that have bee passed should be clearly stated o the traiig certificate or card. Duratio of courses A4.3.4 A day s traiig meas at least six hours, ot icludig breaks. Duratio: New operatives course: three days miimum (icludes oe day of practical sessios). New supervisors course: three days miimum (icludes oe day of practical sessios). Maagers ad directors course: two days miimum. Scaffolders course: 0.5 day miimum. Scaffoldig supervisors course: 0.5 day miimum (additioal to the 0.5 day scaffolders traiig). Maagers ad directors of scaffoldig compaies - oe day miimum. Supervisory licece holders course: 2-4 days (icludes oe day of practical sessios). People may be exempt from certai modules if they hold relevat BOHS qualificatios. A TNA should idetify the outstadig modules that should be covered i additio to these qualificatios. Refresher traiig for all roles: oe day miimum (except for scaffolders ad scaffold supervisors: 0.5 day). Tutor to delegate ratios A4.3.5 The HSL report recogised that there was a eed for a high tutor to delegate ratio for practical hads-o traiig, such as use of decotamiatio procedures. As a result, the followig maximum ratios have bee agreed for iitial courses: Theory-based sessios for all courses: 1 tutor to 12 delegates. Practical sessios: 1 tutor to 6 delegates. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 71 of 181

71 Health ad Safety As refresher traiig is maily classroom-based, the ratio of tutor to delegates ca be raised up to 15. Assessmet of attaimet levels A4.3.6 It is importat to kow what kowledge ad skills the delegate has before startig the course, so there ca be some measuremet of improvemet over the period of the course. You should provide the results of ay TNA to the traiig provider to assist them i adaptig the course to make it as relevat as possible to the delegates. There are various ways of assessig what the delegates have leart. Verbal feedback ca be provided to the delegates as the course progresses, especially durig practical sessios. I additio, it is expected that a test will be provided at the ed of the course. It is expected that the delegates should achieve 80% or more i the test to obtai a pass mark. Oral tests should be offered to people with learig difficulties. Special eeds should be idetified before the start of the course to adapt the traiig programme if ecessary. A4.3.7 Ay delegate who fails the test should have some meas of appealig agaist the result ad be allowed to retrai ad/or resit the test withi a agreed period of time. I the meatime, such a perso should ot be allowed to work o site i areas where it is foreseeable that the relevat cotrol limit will be exceeded. It is o loger acceptable to have a attedace-oly certificate. Practical sessios A4.3.8 There will be more of a practical bias o courses for ew operatives, ew supervisors, scaffolders ad SLHs because there are certai practical skills that eed to be acquired. Modules listed i Appedix 4.2 are of a practical ature. The term practical i this cotext meas that delegates are show how to do somethig ad are the required to practise what they have bee show to acquire a ew skill, eg fittig RPE. Such a practical sessio ca oly provide a simulatio of site coditios. Cosolidatio of skills o site is essetial. A4.3.9 The core subjects that must be provided i the form of a practical module (i accordace with the ACOP) 12 are: the use of decotamiatio facilities; the use ad fittig of RPE; the use of cotrolled strippig techiques (wet fibre suppressio techiques ad other cotrolled strippig methods, such as shadow vacuumig); costructio of eclosures ad airlocks; waste removal procedures (by demostratio). A Practical traiig should ot be carried out i live workig areas that may be cotamiated with asbestos. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 72 of 181

72 Health ad Safety APPENDIX 4.4: CARRYING OUT A TNA A4.4.1 The most importat step i choosig traiig is determiig what is eeded ad esurig that it is coducted as early as possible. Ofte, employers opt for too little, too late whe traiig their employees this leaves employees with icomplete or iappropriate skills. Coductig a TNA will allow employers to determie how may of their employees eed to be traied, ad what they eed to be traied i. A4.4.2 A full scale TNA is a log-term project ad will require the assistace of a experieced traiig cosultat who will use a combiatio of research techiques such as observatio, questioaires, iterviews ad focus groups. These techiques eable the ivestigatio of both the idividual eeds of the employees ad the orgaisatioal eeds of the compay. However, the followig four steps provide helpful iformatio that will allow you, as employers of asbestos removers, to determie the traiig eeds of your employees. This is particularly useful sice TNAs are required for all workers who are employed to work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB. Step 1 Perform a gap aalysis A4.4.3 This process will assess curret skills ad desired skills to establish the extet of the skills gap, if ay. Idetify the staff to be traied. What duties do the staff perform? Which of these ivolve hazards ad which require traiig? What is the experiece, educatio ad techical level of the traiees idetified? Have these traiees received traiig before? Does this previous traiig meet their skills? Is there legislatio which affects the traiig to be give? (All asbestos operatives ad acillary staff who work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig or AIB must have their traiig eeds assessed before startig work). What will the traiig accomplish? Step 2 Idetify causes of problems ad/or opportuities A4.4.4 It is ulikely that all the traiig eeds that emerge from the first step ca be addressed immediately. So, the eeds will have to be prioritised. Prioritisatio ca be assisted by askig the followig questios: Does the eed apply to all your employees or just those who work i particular areas? Does the eed apply to oe or several idividuals? Does this type of traiig ivolve some form of kowledge or skill that may be difficult for your employees to lear? Is there legislatio requirig the eed to be met? If so, the traiig will eed to be provided regardless of the umber of people it applies to, or the kowledge/ skill level of the traiig. Step 3 Evaluate curret traiig A4.4.5 Oce traiig eeds ad priorities have bee established, a traiig pla will have to be prepared. The curret traiig arragemets should be assessed. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 73 of 181

73 Health ad Safety A4.4.6 If there is a formal traiig departmet this will have to be evaluated to see if the eeds idetified by Step 1 are beig met. Eve if there is ot a formal traiig departmet, there are likely to be some employee traiig materials such as mauals ad guidace. These materials ca be itegrated ito ay ew traiig solutio. Review the procedures you already have i place, ad be prepared to adapt them to your ew traiig eeds. Step 4 Provide traiig ad coduct a evaluatio A4.4.7 Oce the eeds have bee prioritised ad the traiig provided, the TNA eeds to be evaluated by coductig the four steps agai. So, the TNA process is a cycle, which eeds to be cotiually addressed, as demostrated i Figure 4.1. A4.4.8 The above steps oly provide a guide to coductig a TNA. A full-scale TNA is likely to require assistace from a qualified traier ad will be more thorough. Figure 4.1 TNA flow chart Step 1: Perform a gap aalysis Step 2: Idetify causes of problems ad/or opportuities Step 3: Evaluate curret traiig Step 4: Provide traiig ad coduct a evaluatio Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 74 of 181

74 Health ad Safety Chapter 5: PPE for work with ACMs Summary RPE: RPE must be matched to the work, wearer ad level of exposure; wearers should be face-fit tested to esure they have the correct device; RPE should be kept clea, maitaied ad periodically tested. Coveralls: should be wor wheever there is a possibility of cotamiatio with asbestos fibres; ca be o-disposable or disposable; disposable should be Type 5 category 3. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 75 of 181

75 Health ad Safety Cotets Itroductio 77 RPE 77 Why should RPE be provided? 77 Whe should RPE be provided? 77 Cotrol measures to apply before resortig to RPE 77 Specific requiremets for RPE use 77 RPE ad CE-markig 78 How to select suitable RPE for employees 78 Expected exposure cocetratios 79 Protectio factors 79 Face mask fit testig 79 Qualitative fit test 80 Quatitative fit test 80 Care, maiteace ad testig of RPE 83 Lookig after RPE 83 Air quatity ad quality 84 RPE traiig for employees, icludig supervisors 84 Supervisio 84 Some commo misuses of RPE whe workig with asbestos 84 Coveralls 86 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 76 of 181

76 Health ad Safety Itroductio 5.1 This chapter explais PPE, i particular RPE, its provisio, use ad maiteace. RPE Why should RPE be provided? 5.2 Asbestos workers are potetially most at risk of developig asbestos-related diseases. Removal processes by their ature disturb ad release asbestos fibres. If the release is ucotrolled or poorly cotrolled, airbore fibre cocetratios ca be extremely high (eg >100 f/ml). Eve where effective cotrols have bee implemeted, airbore fibre levels ca still be i excess of the cotrol limit. That is why it is importat that everyoe who works with asbestos should take the strictest precautios to reduce exposure to asbestos fibres as low as is reasoably practicable. RPE plays a crucial part i the cotrol regime. Its mai purpose is to reduce worker exposure (ie the umber of fibres ihaled) whe fibre levels i the air aroud the worker are still sigificat ad caot be reduced further by other meas. Whe should RPE be provided? 5.3 CAWR requires employers to do all that is reasoably practicable to prevet exposure to asbestos fibres, or where prevetio is ot possible, to reduce exposure to the lowest possible level. RPE must be provided if, despite the precautios take, exposure to asbestos fibres is liable to exceed the cotrol limits laid dow i the Regulatios. The RPE must reduce the exposure as low as is reasoably practicable. You should ot use RPE as your oly cotrol measure as RPE ca oly reduce exposure, ot stop it You must reduce asbestos fibre cocetratios i air to a miimum before usig RPE Cotrol measures to apply before resortig to RPE 5.4 Exposure to asbestos should be preveted or reduced to as low as is reasoably practicable by egieerig cotrols before RPE is employed. Egieerig cotrols iclude: eclosure ad extractio of the work area; wet removal methods; wrap-ad-cut ad glovebag techiques; ad shadow vacuumig. These methods are described i detail i Chapter 7. Ucotrolled dry removal processes are uacceptable Specific requiremets for RPE use 5.5 The law states that RPE used at work must: be adequate ad provide the wearer with effective protectio; be suitable for the iteded use; be CE -marked; be selected, used ad maitaied by properly traied people; be correctly maitaied, examied ad tested; be correctly stored; ad have records kept of selectio, maiteace ad testig. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 77 of 181

77 Health ad Safety Adequate RPE is cosidered adequate if it ca provide the level of protectio required to reduce the exposure to comply with the law. Suitable RPE is cosidered suitable if it is adequate ad is matched to the wearer, the task ad the workig eviromet, such that the wearer ca work with miimum impedimet ad without additioal risks due to the protective equipmet. RPE ad CE-markig 5.6 The RPE provided for work with asbestos must be marked with a CE symbol. The CE-markig meas that the RPE meets miimum legal requiremets for its desig ad maufacture by coformig to a Europea Stadard. The CE-markig does ot idicate that it is automatically suitable for a particular type of use. How to select suitable RPE for employees 5.7 RPE eeds to be selected very carefully ad i cosultatio with employees. Employers should also discuss it with the safety represetative if there is oe. 5.8 The equipmet will eed to be matched to the type of work to be doe, icludig the workig eviromet, the wearer, other PPE i use ad the exposure cocetratios (expected or measured). This meas it will eed to: provide adequate protectio (ie reduces the wearer s exposure to asbestos fibres as low as is reasoably practicable, ad ayway to below the cotrol limits) durig the job i had ad i the specified workig eviromet (eg cofied area or at height); if fa-assisted, provide clea air at a flow rate ad duratio that coforms to the maufacturer s miimum specificatios; if air-fed, provide clea air at a flow rate that at least coforms to the miimum recommeded by the maufacturer; properly fit the wearer; be reasoably comfortable to wear; be properly maitaied; ad ot itroduce additioal hazards that may put the wearer s health ad safety at risk. Whe choosig RPE, employers will eed to cosider: the expected cocetratios of asbestos fibres i the air; the protectio factor values of differet types of RPE (see Tables 5.1 ad 5.2); the potetial for oxyge deficiecy ad/or the presece of other hazardous substaces (eg solvet vapours, carbo dioxide ad carbo mooxide) withi the work eviromet. Employers should be aware that particulate filters used for protectio agaist asbestos fibres will ot protect agaist oxyge deficiecy, gases or vapours. Work i oxyge-deficiet atmospheres must comply with the requiremets of the Cofied Spaces Regulatios 1997; 15 carbo mooxide ca be produced from petrol or diesel-powered heaters ad equipmet; the kid of work ivolved, eg more streuous jobs may eed a greater air supply; the temperatures at which people will be workig; the facial characteristics of the wearers (eg beards, sideburs, glasses etc); the medical fitess of the people eedig to wear the equipmet; employees eed to be physically ad metally fit to work wearig RPE (ad PPE), Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 78 of 181

78 Health ad Safety particularly iside a eclosure, as the CAWR medical examiatio is ot a fitess-for-work examiatio; the legth of time the perso will have to wear the equipmet; how comfortable it is ad whether people will wear it correctly for the required legth of time; whether the job ivolves extesive movemets, restrictios ad/or obstructios which eed to be overcome; the eed to commuicate verbally durig work; the effects of other PPE ad other accessories o RPE (eg umatched goggles may affect the face seal provided by the face mask); ad jewellery or other adormets (eg piercig) wor by the wearer, which may iterfere with the fit of the face mask. 5.9 More details o these aspects ca be foud i the HSE guidace Respiratory protective equipmet at work: A practical guide. 23 Expected exposure cocetratios 5.10 The level of expected exposure should be established i the RA. The results from previous air moitorig ca be used to assist the assessmet. Some data o the likely fibre cocetratios for a rage of asbestos jobs is give i Tables 1.1 ad 1.2. The data ca be used as a guide, but it does ot costitute a RA. Protectio factors 5.11 The expected exposure level is used to determie the miimum protectio factor required by the RPE. This parameter should be cosidered first i the selectio process Tables 5.1 ad 5.2 list various types of RPE ad the respective protectio factors (PFs). RPE with the highest PF should be cosidered iitially. The cosider whether this RPE is suited to the ature of the job, work-related factors, wearer s facial characteristics, medical fitess ad comfort. Usig this process, select the most suitable type of RPE for the job. The process is demostrated through a worked example i Table 5.3. The chose RPE must also be adequate for ay uexpected short-term high exposures. The reasos for selectig a particular type of RPE should be recorded i the RA I practice, asbestos workers are likely to wear oly a limited rage of RPE. A disposable type is likely to be used for various tasks icludig site pre-clea, site set-up, ispectio (four-stage clearace or iitial), eclosure dismatlig, waste hadlig outside the eclosure, DCU cleaig, ad scaffoldig erectio; ad a power-assisted full-face respirator will be wor whe etry ito a live eclosure occurs. I these situatios FFP3 disposable masks ad power-assisted full-face equipmet fitted with a P3 filter should be used respectively. However some people may prefer to use half-masks rather tha disposable equipmet, ad powered hoods or blouses or air-fed equipmet may be used i some circumstaces i place of power-assisted full-face masks (see paragraph 5.20). Face mask fit testig 5.14 The performace of tight-fittig face masks depeds o achievig a good cotact betwee the wearer s ski ad the face seal of the mask. As people s faces have a rage of shapes ad sizes it is ulikely that oe particular type, or size of face mask, will fit everyoe. Iadequate fit will sigificatly reduce the protectio provided to the wearer. To make sure that the selected face mask ca provide adequate protectio for the wearer, a fit test should be carried out. The test should be carried out as part of the iitial selectio of the RPE. There are two types of fit tests: qualitative ad quatitative fit tests (Note: fit tests should ot be cofused Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 79 of 181

79 Health ad Safety with the fit check, a procedure specified by the maufacturer which is used to verify that a good seal has bee obtaied each time the respirator is used (see paragraph 5.18)). Qualitative fit test 5.15 Qualitative fit testig is a simple pass/fail test based o the wearer s subjective assessmet of the leakage, via the face seal regio, of a test aget. These tests are relatively simple to perform ad are suitable for half-masks ad filterig facepiece (disposable) respirators. A qualitative fit test is ot suitable for fullface RPE. Examples of qualitative fit test methods: method based o bitter or sweet-tastig aerosol; method based o odour compouds. Quatitative fit test 5.16 Quatitative fit testig provides a umerical measure of the fit ad geerates a fit-factor umber. These tests give a objective measure of face fit. They require specialised equipmet ad are more sophisticated tha qualitative methods. These methods should be used for full-face RPE ad ca be used for half-masks ad disposable respirators. Examples of quatitative fit test methods: laboratory test chamber; particle coutig device Further details o RPE fit testig ca be foud i the documet Fit testig of respiratory protective equipmet facepieces. 24 This ca be dowloaded from the HSE website. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 80 of 181

80 Health ad Safety Table 5.1 Respirator selectio chart for protectio agaist asbestos i air PF Filterig half-mask BS EN 149 Valved filterig half-mask BS EN 405 Filterig half-masks without ihalatio valves BS EN 1827 Half-mask BS EN 140 ad filter BS EN 143 Full-face mask BS EN 136 ad filter BS EN 143 Powered hoods ad filter BS EN 146 BS EN Mask + P3 TH3 hoods, blouses + P3 20 FF P3 FF P3 FM P3 Mask + P3 TH2 All types of face pieces + P3 Powerassisted masks ad filter BS EN 147 BS EN TM3 full-face mask + P3 TM2 All types of face pieces + P3 Table 5.2 Breathig apparatus (BA) selectio chart for protectio agaist asbestos i air PF Fresh-air hose BA BS EN 138/269 Light-duty compressed airlie BA masks BS EN Light-duty compressed airlie BA hoods, helmets, visors BS EN 1835 Costat flow compressed airlie BA hood BS EN 270/271 Mask BS EN 139 Demad flow compressed airlie BA mask BS EN Positive demad fullface mask 200 Suit 40 Full-face mask Hood 20 LDM1 LDM2 LDM3 LDH3 Hood Blastig helmet Full-face mask LDH2 Half-mask Negative demad fullface mask Selfcotaied BA (SCBA) BS EN 137 Positive demad fullface mask Negative demad fullface mask Table 5.3 Worked example Work: Type of asbestos: Cotrol limits: Propsed type of removal: Amout to be removed: Likely residual fibre i cocetratio i air: Removal of asbestos isulatio from a boiler house Represetative samples take from the laggig to be removed ad the occupier s documetatio about it idicate that the laggig cotais chrysotile (white asbestos) oly 0.3 f/ml for 4-hour time weighted average (TWA) ad 0.9 f/ml for 10-mi TWA as prescribed i CAWR Well-coducted, cotrolled wet strippig usig maual tools. Represetative core samples take after the wettig process at a earlier job idicated that it is ulikely to hit a dry patch. Same procedure will be coducted to esure similar situatio i this work. Wettig to be doe usig ijectio eedles, wettig agets ad water 8 m 2 of asbestos-cotaiig laggig material Up to 1 f/ml (Table 1.1) ad this figure agrees with the exposure moitorig results obtaied durig similar work last moth Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 81 of 181

81 Health ad Safety Table 5.3 Worked example (cotiued) Work activity: RPE wearers: Other PPE: Protectio required: Selectio of suitable RPE: Have to work aroud ad i betwee pipes. Removal workers will have to pass i betwee pipes ad girders (both vertically ad sideways). Adequate time ad perso resources have bee plaed i for strippig, cleaig ad decotamiatio activities. The effort required moderate work. Workig o a cold plat. The work eviromet is ot a cofied space ad will cotai ormal levels of oxyge. No eed to use solvets, glues etc Clea shave except for oe perso who has beard; o uusual facial marks; o spectacle wearers Type 5, category 3 coverall (see paragraph 5.35) to protect agaist asbestos peetratio. Gloves ad safety boots i accordace with RA requiremets Miimum protectio required from suitable RPE to reduce exposures to the cotrol limit of 1/0.3 = 3.3 (ie likely residual fibre cocetratio i air divided by 4-hour TWA cotrol limit). This calculatio idicates that it would be possible to use devices with a PF of 4. However, the law requires that ihalatio exposure to asbestos fibres is reduced to the lowest level reasoably practicable. Therefore, it is ecessary to cosider devices which could offer the best possible protectio From Table 5.2 Types of RPE which offer highest PF (2000) are self-cotaied breathig apparatus (SCBA) with positive-demad full-face mask ad compressed airlie-breathig apparatus (CABA) with positive-demad full-face mask (a) SCBA is ot suitable because it will ot last for more tha 15 miutes of actual strippig work. Safe usable time for SCBA will iclude time required for decotamiatio ad exit to a safe area. SCBA would be too bulky to use i the likely restricted space; it will itroduce uecessary strai o the wearer ad may cause other safety-related accidets (b) I this situatio it is ot reasoably practicable to use CABA because air supply hoses ca become etagled durig use. This may itroduce trippig hazards ad may preset cosiderable secodary exposure problems durig discoectio to eter the decotamiatio area. Durig the decotamiatio of hoses, asbestos o hose protective coverigs may cotamiate the decotamiatio area. For these reasos it is cosidered that CABA is ot suitable for the work to be udertake (c) The ext choice of device is respirators. Respirators with the highest PFs (Table 5.1) are o-powered full-face mask with P3 filter(s), TH3 powered hoods ad TM3 power assisted devices with full-face masks ad P3 filter(s). A o-powered device would be ucomfortable ad would place demad o the user s lugs whe compared to a powered device. So a TM3 power-assisted respirator with full-face mask ad P3 filter(s) would be the choice for those without beards. This RPE, whe used i cojuctio with a suitable RPE programme, should reduce the exposure cocetratio to below 0.02 f/ ml. This cocetratio is ear the clearace level (d) All our wearers, except the perso with the beard, were quatitatively fit tested for a power-assisted respirator with full-face mask (TM3) model 123 made by ZZ Ltd. I this work situatio, the perso with the beard could be provided with a TH3 powered hood. If the power to the device fails completely durig use, the wearer should be able to exit the work area quickly ad without sigificat dager to life or health Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 82 of 181

82 Health ad Safety 5.18 To obtai adequate performace durig use, the selected RPE should be wor correctly every time. This meas that the user should carry out a fit check o every occasio that a mask is wor to esure that a good fit has bee obtaied. Beards, sideburs ad eve stubble or wearig glasses will affect the face seal of tight-fittig face masks which rely o a close cotact betwee face ad mask. Employees wearig RPE relyig o a tight face fit should be clea shave. The expected level of workplace protectio provided by suitable RPE is show by the PF values i Tables 5.1 ad A repeat fit test should be coducted where the wearer: is chagig to a differet model of RPE or differet sized face mask; loses or gais weight; udergoes ay substatial detal work; develops ay facial chages (scars, moles etc) aroud the face seal area; or if the compay s health ad safety policy requires it. It is recommeded that employers have a specific policy o frequecy of repeat fit testig, eg every oe or two years For workers who caot wear a tight-fittig facepiece, equipmet that does ot rely o a good face seal for protectio should be provided, eg powered or air-supplied hoods, ad powered or air-supplied blouses. For workers who ormally wear glasses, there are two further optios: wearig cotact leses iside a stadard full-face mask or to wear a full-face mask which permits the fixig of special frames iside the facepiece. Care, maiteace ad testig of RPE Lookig after RPE 5.21 The RPE must be checked to esure it is clea ad i good workig order before it is give to the wearer, ad before it goes back ito storage. Badly maitaied RPE will ot provide adequate protectio ad the wearer s health will be put at risk. Before use, checks, where appropriate, should be made o: the coditio of the head haress, ad the facepiece icludig seal ad visor; the coditio of the ihalatio ad exhalatio valves, where fitted. For example dirty, curled-up or cracked valves will ot perform properly ad will severely compromise the protectio provided; the coditio of ay threaded coectors ad seals; the coditio ad type of filter(s), that they are i-date ad fitted properly; the battery charge/coditio; the airflow rate for power-assisted ad powered respirators compared with the maufacturer s specificatio before the device is used; whether the RPE is complete ad correctly assembled; ad ay additioal tests i accordace with the maufacturer s istructios I additio to the pre-use checks detailed above, all RPE (except the disposable type) should be more thoroughly examied ad tested, by traied persoel, before it is issued to ay wearer for the first time ad at least oce a moth to make sure that it is workig properly to its desig specificatio. A record of ispectio, examiatio, maiteace ad defects remedied must be kept for five years. Oly proprietary spare parts should be used The maufacturer of RPE should give istructios o its cleaig ad maiteace. The procedures should be followed. After each use, RPE (except the disposable type) should be decotamiated, cleaed, disifected, ispected ad placed i suitable storage specifically provided for that purpose. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 83 of 181

83 Health ad Safety Air quatity ad quality 5.24 Where breathig apparatus is used, the flow rate ad pressure of the air supply should be checked at the start ad ed of each shift. Also, wearers should check these at regular itervals durig the shift. Air supplied to breathig apparatus (BA) should meet miimum quality requiremets. These are give i British Stadard BS EN The RPE or air compressor supplier should be able to advise o how to meet these requiremets. Do ot modify ay form of RPE without the kowledge ad coset of the maufacturer RPE traiig for employees, icludig supervisors 5.25 Employees should be give adequate istructio, iformatio ad traiig o the followig: how to fit ad use the RPE correctly; why they must wear the RPE correctly ad the importace of fit testig for the iitial selectio of suitable equipmet ad pre-use fit-checkig each time it is wor; why they should ever take off ad/or put dow RPE i a cotamiated area, except i a medical emergecy; how to recogise a reductio i air flow ad what to do if it happes; why a particular type of RPE has bee selected, ad what it ca ad caot do; the maufacturer s istructios o the use ad maiteace of the equipmet; how to clea cotamiated RPE whe leavig the work area; ad whe ot i use, where ad how to store the RPE Employees should receive regular refresher traiig (at least oce a year) o the use of RPE. It should ot be assumed that, because workers have wor RPE before, they will always use it properly. Supervisio 5.27 The competet supervisor should moitor the use of RPE to esure that it is wor properly. For istace, the supervisor must make sure that wearers ever: misuse equipmet (examples of misuse ad commo mistakes are listed below); or remove their RPE i a cotamiated area ot eve for a momet, except i a emergecy (eg medical, accidetal damage to RPE) It should be stadard practice for supervisors ad wearers to check that the RPE is i good workig order (before wearig it) ad that it is beig wor correctly. Some commo misuses of RPE whe workig with asbestos 5.29 The examples below idicate some of the very serious misuses of RPE. Misuses of this kid will always result i reduced protectio ad uecessary, ad prevetable, exposures to asbestos fibres. These misuses ivalidate the suitability of RPE ad costitute a failure to comply with CAWR. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 84 of 181

84 Health ad Safety Figure 5.1 Misuse of RPE Figure 5.2 Misuse of RPE All types of RPE Wearig of disposable respirators, half ad full-face masks by people with facial hair which prevets a adequate seal beig achieved. Wearig safety goggles or spectacles which are ot compatible with the disposable respirator or a half-mask. Icompatible goggles will prevet a adequate seal beig achieved. Failig to esure that the RPE fits the wearer. Workig i a cotamiated area while the respirator is left hagig aroud the eck. Usig the RPE if it is dirty, damaged or icomplete. Failig to properly maitai the RPE. Leavig the mask lyig aroud i the workplace dust will get iside ad the wearer will breathe it i the ext time it is put o. Wearig the coverall without the hood i positio (see Figure 5.1). Disposable respirators Wearig the respirator upside dow. Failig to adjust the ose clip to obtai a good face-fit ad face seal. Not usig the two head straps correctly. Workig i a cotamiated area while the respirator is left hagig aroud the eck or placed o top of the head. RPE with full-face masks Failig to adequately tighte all the head haress straps. Wearig ordiary spectacles with a full-face mask. There are special frames which ca be fitted iside the mask which do ot iterfere with the face seal. Wearig the head haress over the hood of the coverall this ca cause slippage of the mask ad loss of the face seal (see Figure 5.2). Failig to esure that the correct filter is fitted i the filter housig, or that seals/ O-rigs are i place ad correctly seated. Failig to esure that filters are preset i their housig. Failig to tighte the breathig hose to the face mask ad filter housig. Failig to test the airflow. Failig to replace wor ad distorted masks. Failig to test the voltage ad capacity of batteries, ad to replace iadequate oes. Keepig workig if the fa stops or the flow rate falls leave the work area immediately. Usig filters ot approved for the device. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 85 of 181

85 Health ad Safety Coveralls 5.30 Coveralls should be wor wheever a RA idicates there is a possibility of cotamiatio with asbestos fibres. Therefore they should be wor durig: preparatio of the work area icludig pre-clea ad costructio of the eclosure (uless the preparatio work does ot ivolve ay potetial for asbestos cotact or cotamiatio); the preparatio ad use of cotrolled strippig equipmet; ay work ivolvig the removal or repair of asbestos; the four-stage clearace; ad the dismatlig of the eclosure ad residual clea up Coveralls may also be eeded for other activities, where the potetial for cotamiatio exists, eg ispectig roof voids or udercrofts whe preparig teders No-disposable (eg cotto) ad disposable coveralls ca be used. Disposable coveralls ted to be more popular as there are few laudries ow acceptig asbestos-cotamiated items for washig. It is also easier to double bag disposable overalls ad dispose of them as asbestos waste, either o site, where there are facilities, or at base. Cotto coveralls should be decotamiated i a specialist laudry after use (see paragraph 8.43) Disposable overalls vary sigificatly i quality ad, although they are geerally oly used for oe shift or less, it is importat that good quality disposable overalls are used. Poor quality overalls: tear easily, allowig cotamiatio of the operative s body; ad allow permeatio of fibre through the itact material Cotamiatio iside the coverall icreases the potetial for operator exposure ad further spread of asbestos. Disposable overalls should therefore be selected that are robust eough ad large eough to allow free movemet throughout the eclosure. It is good practice to wear oe size too big, as this ca reduce rippig ad tearig at the seams A Type 5, category 3 disposable coverall will provide such protectio. Type 5 relates to draft stadard BS EN ISO , 26 ad category 3 (CE complex; risk of serious or mortal dager) is i accordace with the Persoal Protective Equipmet (PPE) Regulatios The coveralls should have elasticated cuffs or be sealed with tape. I additio, coveralls should be wor i such a way as to reduce the igress of dust iside the garmet. The igress poits are at the head ad feet. The coverall hood should be wor over the straps of the RPE ad the coverall legs should be wor over footwear, ie do ot tuck legs ito the boots as dust ad debris will get i at the top. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 86 of 181

86 Health ad Safety Chapter 6: Eclosures for work with ACMs Summary The plaed work area, immediate surroudig area ad waste/trasit routes should be checked to see whether a pre-clea is eeded. Eclosures Are required uless the level of risk is likely to be low, the locatio is remote, or a eclosure is ot practical. Should be costructed of 1000 gauge polythee. Should be coected directly to the DCU where possible. Should be placed uder egative pressure. Should have viewig paels (size at least 600 mm x 300 mm). Should have a sacrificial floorig. May require additioal protectio, eg for weather protectio, or be fireretardat. Airlocks ad baglocks Should be of a appropriate size for the umber of persoel ad amout of equipmet (dimesios at least 1 m x 1 m x 2 m (height)). Should have a viewig pael o the ier stage (size at least 600 mm x 300 mm). NPUs Should provide a slight egative pressure of 5 Pa. Should provide a costat flow of fresh air through the eclosure. Should be sufficiet i quatity ad placed correctly to prevet dead spots ad short-circuitig. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 87 of 181

87 Health ad Safety Cotets Itroductio 89 Defiitio ad use 89 Whe is a eclosure required? 89 Prelimiary plaig 91 Eclosure desig ad mai features 91 Eclosure size 91 Sealig the eclosure 92 Eclosure extractio (egative pressure) 93 Eclosure access 93 Viewig paels 96 Occupied buildigs 96 Securig exteral eclosures 97 Site preparatio ad costructio of eclosures 97 Site preparatio ad pre-clea 97 Costructio of the eclosure 98 Air extractio equipmet 100 Testig, moitorig ad maiteace 105 Visual ispectio 105 Smoke testig 106 Differetial pressure moitors 106 Viewig paels 107 Air moitorig 107 Testig ad maitaiig air extractio equipmet 107 Dismatlig ad disposal 108 Emergecy procedures 109 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 88 of 181

88 Health ad Safety Itroductio Figure 6.1 Eclosure with three-stage airlock 6.1 Eclosures are a fudametal compoet i the cotrol of asbestos materials durig removal work. This chapter explais the fuctio ad purpose of eclosures ad gives practical advice o their desig, costructio ad use durig work with asbestos. Eclosures are ormally required to: prevet the spread of asbestos (CAWR, regulatio 15); ad prevet the exposure of other people (employees ad others) (CAWR, regulatio 10) who may be affected by the work. Defiitio ad use Figure 6.2 Work without a eclosure 6.2 A eclosure is a physical barrier employed aroud the asbestos work area which will cotai asbestos dust ad waste arisig from the work ad which will also prevet the spread of asbestos materials to the surroudig eviromet. It is desiged to prevet the spread of airbore fibres ad dust ad also to prevet the spread of surface cotamiatio durig all the activities associated with asbestos removal, icludig waste hadlig ad baggig, ad cleaig. 6.3 Access to the eclosure is regulated through etrace ad exit opeigs (kow as airlocks, see Figure 6.1). The airlocks are a essetial feature of the eclosure, allowig the cotrolled movemet of persoel, waste ad equipmet i ad out of the work area ad also eablig the decotamiatio of persoel, equipmet ad waste items o exitig the uit. Airlocks are also used for chagig, where trasitig procedures are employed (see paragraphs ). The eclosure ad airlocks should be airtight ad uder mechaical extractio vetilatio. 6.4 Eclosures by desig ad fuctio will lead to icreased amouts of dust ad debris iside the area. Ayoe eterig or workig iside a eclosure must wear suitable protective clothig ad RPE, ad must thoroughly decotamiate themselves o leavig the eclosure. Further iformatio o persoal protectio ad decotamiatio procedures is give i Chapters 5 ad 8 respectively. Whe is a eclosure required? 6.5 Work o the most hazardous forms of asbestos (ie those which require a licece to work o: asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatigs ad AIB will ormally require a eclosure. These ACMs iclude asbestos thermal isulatio (such as boiler ad pipe isulatio, ad sprayed asbestos applied for fire protectio, aticodesatio ad acoustic cotrol), ad AIB products such as ceilig tiles or paels or boards cotaiig asbestos. The eclosure will be required irrespective of the ature of work locatio (such as i buildigs, ships ad other structures) or the size of the premises. Eclosures are eeded to cotrol the spread of airbore or surface cotamiatio. Wheever this is likely, a eclosure is eeded 6.6 Eclosures are also ecessary i situatios where, although the work may have primary cotrols (eg glove bags), the cosequeces of a cotrol failure would be sigificat i terms of cotamiatio or risk, so there eeds to be secodary cotaimet. This meas that a eclosure will be required i most situatios, but there will be some exceptios, icludig for ACMs which ormally require a licece (see paragraphs ). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 89 of 181

89 Health ad Safety 6.7 Eclosures are ot geerally required for work with o-licesed asbestos products, such as cemet materials, eg corrugated roofig sheets ad buildig paels (see Figure 6.2). Asbestos cemet items ormally preset lower risks. Precautios for work with these materials are described i the HSE guidace booklet Workig with asbestos cemet. 3 However, there may be occasios whe a eclosure is eeded for asbestos cemet. If the asbestos cemet is extesive ad difficult to remove, resultig i much breakage ad debris, or the work is close to occupied or sesitive areas, the a eclosure may be eeded. 6.8 Eclosures would also ot be ecessary for licesed products i certai circumstaces. For example where there are practical difficulties i costructig a effective eclosure or the locatio is very remote. I additio, a eclosure will ot be required for mior work with licesable materials, eg certai types of short duratio or low risk work where a asbestos licece is ot eeded. Details o these types of activities ad the ecessary precautios are give i the HSE guidace booklet Asbestos essetials task maual: Task guidace sheets for the buildig maiteace ad allied trades. 2 Asbestos essetials is primarily targeted at tradespeople carryig out oe-off jobs. If licesed asbestos removal cotractors carry out similar oe-off tasks, these procedures are appropriate. However, if the work areas are larger or the task is repetitive, a eclosure will be required. A eclosure would also ot ormally be required i dealig with mior cotamiatio situatios where the asbestos is oly preset as loose debris or dust. A eclosure would also ot be expected i exteral situatios ivolvig buildig rubble, soil or cotamiated lad. 6.9 The scearios where a eclosure may ot be required ca be summarised as follows. These will be determied i the RA for the work, takig ito accout the likely risks, ad the practicalities ad costs ivolved. Eclosures may ot be required if: the level of risk is low because the operatios are very small scale ad of short duratio. Whe cosiderig the level of risk you should cosider the potetial for fibre release ad the spread of surface cotamiatio; the locatio is extremely remote, where the risk to employed people or members of the public is egligible; the work is at height ad a eclosure is ot practical due to the height or complexity of the structure (eg pipework i the ope air at high level), or its exposure to severe weather coditios; it is a situatio where there are practical difficulties i obtaiig a effective seal o the structures, eg soffits aroud buildig roofs; cleaig up mior cotamiatio or exteral cotamiatio. Remoteess by itself is ot a reaso to justify the absece of a eclosure 6.10 If a eclosure is ot a reasoably practicable optio, remember that a key compoet i the cotrol of asbestos ad i the cotrolled movemet of persoel, equipmet ad waste will be abset. The absece eeds to be compesated for ad alterative arragemets employed. I such cases, the boudaries of the work area should be clearly marked by suitable warig otices ad by physical obstructios such as ropes or barriers. Such segregatio measures should be placed at a distace away from the work ad ot immediately ext to it. I additio, i the absece of a eclosure, particular emphasis has to be placed o work methods ad procedures which miimise dust geeratio ad prevet the spread of cotamiatio. Reassurace air samplig may also be required. There will still eed to be arragemets to regulate the movemet of persoel equipmet ad waste from the desigated work area ad to carry out prelimiary decotamiatio procedures ad waste baggig. Full decotamiatio facilities (ie a hygiee uit) will Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 90 of 181

90 Health ad Safety be ecessary i most cases (the exceptios are likely to be Asbestos essetials 2 scearios ad cleaig up cotamiatio). A certificate of reoccupatio will also be required i most situatios (agai with similar exceptios) although clearace air moitorig will ot be ecessary i exteral locatios (see paragraph 6.67). Prelimiary plaig 6.11 The eclosure is a key feature i the cotrol of asbestos durig removal work. It has to be desiged properly ad it has to operate effectively for the duratio of the work. These are matters to be cosidered i the very early stages of work plaig ad they should form part of the RA process. The eclosure will be deployed i may differet situatios ad coditios so, while there are may commo features of the eclosure, irrespective of where it is used, it has to be desiged specifically for the particular circumstaces of the idividual job. The factors to be cosidered for all uses are as follows: clearace of the work area; removal of mobile items; the eed for a pre-clea; the size ad shape of the work area; the eclosure will be as airtight as possible; plat is switched off (eg boilers) after liaiso with the cliet; there will be sufficiet ad uiform egative pressure (without short circuitig) withi the eclosure ad airlocks; there will be sufficiet air movemet through the eclosure; there will be safe ad easy access for persoel, equipmet ad waste; the eclosure will be robust for the coditios; security ad prevetio of damage; provisio of viewig paels; actios to take i a emergecy; the eed for fire prevetio materials (eg fireproof polythee) There are other matters which may have to be cosidered i some situatios, such as: work i occupied buildigs; securig exteral eclosures. Eclosure desig ad mai features 6.13 A eclosure typically cosists of the items i Figure 6.3. Eclosure size 6.14 The eclosure should be desiged aroud the locatio of the asbestos to be removed ad the access requiremets. It should be big eough for the work activity ad there should be reasoable workig space. The dimesios should take accout of the umber of workers ivolved ad the size ad shape of the items or materials to be removed ad the eed for ay plat or equipmet to be used. Items to cosider iclude legths of pipework, ad plat such as scissor lifts or platforms. The eclosure should ot be oversized, as it icreases the spread of asbestos ad the size of the area to be cleaed. It also icreases the vetilatio requiremet Eclosures may either make use of parts of the existig buildig structure or be self-supportig temporary structures purpose built aroud the asbestos workig area. Existig rooms or walls, ceiligs ad floors ca be used where possible to provide part or all of a eclosure. The surfaces of the eclosure, irrespective of the compositio, should be smooth ad impervious. If ay existig surface is usuitable, eg it is rough, damaged or friable, it should be pre-cleaed ad the Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 91 of 181

91 Health ad Safety lied with a material such as polythee sheetig. The itegrity of the eclosure must also be maitaied as work progresses. For example whe AIB ceilig tiles are removed opeig the ceilig void. The void will become part of the eclosure. It will eed to be smoke tested ad the area volume icluded i the vetilatio calculatio. It may be possible to seal such areas as work progresses. However these areas will eed to be cleaed ad subject to clearace procedures. Sealig the eclosure 6.16 The eclosure should be effectively sealed ad as airtight as possible. All leaks should be idetified ad sealed. Sealig should be udertake at all joits ad corers, particularly i purpose-built structures ad at all widows, doors, vetilatio grilles, airbricks, ilets, exhausts as ecessary. Particular attetio should be paid to closig ay gaps or holes aroud pipes, ducts, coduits, structural or other items (icludig iside cupboards or uits) that pass through to adjoiig rooms or floors. Opeigs should be sealed usig a combiatio of materials such as tape, proprietary sealig compouds (eg expadig foam) (see Figure 6.4) ad impervious sheetig. Foam should be trimmed to size after settig. If complete sealig is difficult to obtai, the additioal cotrols should be employed. These ca iclude mii-eclosures withi large eclosures, glove bags ad ehaced egative pressure. Figure 6.3 Schematic diagram of the mai elemets of a eclosure Eclosure Airlock Viewig paels NPU NPU Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 92 of 181

92 Health ad Safety Figure 6.4 A eclosure sealed with expadig foam Note: The use of certai foams ad adhesives i very cofied spaces, o hot pipework or close to the breathig zoe may cause high cocetratios of harmful vapours ad should be avoided. The use of ay sealat or adhesive should be cosidered i a RA to establish the risks to health ad the appropriate cotrols ad protective equipmet. Also if some foams were to remai after completio of the work, it may have implicatios for fire regulatios. The eclosure should be costructed before ay work o the ACMs, icludig placig of ijectio eedles, is carried out Eclosure extractio (egative pressure) 6.17 There should be sufficiet egative pressure (ie mechaical extract vetilatio) withi the eclosure ad the pressure should be as uiform as possible throughout the uit. Air extractio should ot be see as a alterative to a well-sealed eclosure. Its fuctios are to provide additioal cotrol if there are accidetal leaks ad to cotrol air movemet durig persoel ad waste trasfers to ad from the eclosure. Figure 6.5 A NPU 6.18 The pressure differetial will deped ot oly o the extracted air rate from the eclosure, but also o the physical size ad shape of the structure, the extet of leakage (ie the effectiveess of the sealig) ad exteral weather coditios, eg a chage i wid directio ca positively pressurise a eclosure. Where large extesive plat or log stretches of pipework are to be stripped of asbestos, it may be appropriate to sub-divide the space ito a umber of smaller eclosures, rather tha to treat it as a sigle uit. It may be difficult to achieve good egative pressure for extremely large eclosures (eg those used i power statios), although the NPUs (see Figure 6.5) will help to achieve some airflow ear work areas, eve if ot providig good egative pressure Also, where the work area is complex or cosists of a series of rooms (eg i office blocks or hotels) there will be potetial difficulties i achievig a uiform egative pressure. Agai, i these cases there should be several smaller eclosures. I some situatios, it will be beeficial to have smaller workig eclosures built aroud the specific items to be stripped. I situatios where egative pressure is difficult to achieve, over-extractio may compesate but the extractio level should ot damage the itegrity of the eclosure (see paragraph 6.47). I additio, if strippig ivolves opeig up other parts or sectios of the premises, eg i removal of ceilig tiles or dividig walls, the vetilatio rate should be calculated o the basis of the fial eclosure volume, ie the iitial area ad the ceilig void. Air movemet is discussed i more detail i paragraphs Figure 6.6 DCU attached directly to a eclosure 6.20 Air movemet i the eclosure should be desiged to esure that there is uiform airflow as far as possible i all areas. NPUs ad supplemetary air ilets should be located to achieve good flow ad to avoid dead spots (see paragraph 6.42). Air movemet should be checked durig the smoke test (ie checkig that smoke is cleared efficietly from all areas of the eclosure) ad by usig smoke tubes ad/or differetial pressure moitors. Eclosure access 6.21 All eclosures should have meas of access for persoel, plat ad equipmet, ad the removal of asbestos waste. Opeigs for these purposes eed to be costructed i a maer which prevets asbestos dust escapig ito the geeral eviromet. Asbestos workers should eter the eclosure from the hygiee facility, which should be attached via a short iterveig space or tuel to the eclosure wherever practicable. This is show i Figure 6.6. This is the preferred arragemet. Where the hygiee facility caot be positioed close to the eclosure, a trasitig system is required. Trasitig systems are much more complex ad should be avoided where possible. However there will be may Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 93 of 181

93 Health ad Safety Figure 6.7 A airlock used i trasitig occasios whe their use is ecessary. I trasitig systems, workers will eter the eclosure via a three-stage airlock. The airlock is show i Figure 6.7. Iformatio o the procedures for trasitig ad for usig hygiee facilities is give i Chapter Eclosures should be desiged ad costructed with separate arragemets for the removal of asbestos waste. A system of airlocks (called baglocks) similar to the trasit facilities ca be used for the removal of waste asbestos from the eclosure. The desig of the baglock system is show i Figure 6.8. I those circumstaces where a separate airlock ad baglock system caot be employed, a hybrid arragemet should be used. The desig of the hybrid system will deped o whether the hygiee uit is coected directly to the eclosure or whether a three-stage airlock is ivolved (ie trasitig). The various optios are show i Figures 6.9 ad The arragemets ad procedures for cleaig, labellig ad trasferrig waste bags are described i Figure 6.8 ad Box 7.6. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 94 of 181

94 Health ad Safety Figure 6.8 Typical desig of three-stage baglock for removal of waste from a eclosure To outside Double bagged waste stored here, awaitig removal Bags put ito secod bags, excess air removed, ad agai cleaed exterally Bags cleaed exterally by wipig dow Eclosure (Bags filled i eclosure ad sealed) NB If separate baglocks ad airlocks are used, ormally oly oe should be ope ad i use at ay time Figure 6.9 Airlock/baglock arragemet where the eclosure is directly attached to the DCU ad there is limited space Hygiee uit Clea Shower Dirty Tuel Oe stage Eclosure NPU Baglock Figure 6.10(a) Airlock/baglock arragemet where trasitig is ivolved ad there is limited space Threestage airlock Eclosure NPU Three-stage baglock Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 95 of 181

95 Health ad Safety Figure 6.10(b) Airlock/baglock arragemet where trasitig is ivolved ad there is sufficiet space Threestage airlock Eclosure NPU Threestage baglock Asbestos waste bags should ot be take through the hygiee facility Figure 6.11 Viewig pael Viewig paels 6.23 Suitable clear perspex viewig paels must be icluded i the walls of the eclosure so the site supervisor ca see what is goig o iside without havig to eter (see Figure 6.11). This helps esure that the method detailed i the POW is beig followed. The umber ad locatio of these paels will deped o the locatio, size ad complexity of the eclosure (see paragraph 6.37). Viewig paels should be employed i the ier stage of airlock ad baglocks. Where viewig paels are impractical, orgaisatios should use alterative methods to observe ad moitor progress withi the eclosure. Camera (eg CCTV) ad computer webcam systems ca be used. Miiature colour cameras/trasmitters are ow available ad ca be liked to a receiver ad moitor or TV. Hard-wired systems are also available. Cameras ca be placed i appropriate locatios. The types of circumstaces where camera systems should be used iclude udergroud locatios, multiple-floor buildigs, existig buildigs where paels caot be istalled, eclosures where work locatio is obscured or remote from the viewig paels. Cameras should be protected for ease of cleaig (eg sheeted over). Occupied buildigs 6.24 If other parts of the buildig are to be occupied durig asbestos removal the particular care ad attetio will be eeded to esure that the work does ot preset ay risk to the buildig occupats. Additioal safeguards ad checks will be required. Visual ispectios ad airbore samplig outside the eclosure will be ecessary to cofirm the effectiveess of the cotrol regime (see paragraph 6.56 ad Box 6.1). It will also be ecessary to idetify ad prevet or resolve ay additioal hazards itroduced by the eclosure, eg if it obscures or blocks ay fire exits. Where this is uavoidable, alterative arragemets should be made ad clearly commuicated to the buildig occupats ad the asbestos removal workers. Fire alarms should be able to be heard from iside the eclosure. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 96 of 181

96 Health ad Safety 6.25 It will also be ecessary to esure that occupacy or operatio of ay processes or buildig services does ot adversely affect the performace of the eclosure. Checks should be made to esure that mechaical air movemet withi the buildig does ot compromise the egative pressure iside the eclosure, ad also that process emissios are ot draw ito the eclosure. For example movemet of lifts will cause chages i air pressure. The effects of ay buildig processes ad the impact of air coditioig, locatio of lift shafts or air heatig systems also eed to be cosidered. Take care to esure that existig vetilatio systems are ot cotamiated, eg through iappropriate sitig of NPU discharges ear to vetilatio itakes. Securig exteral eclosures 6.26 Eclosures must always be properly secured to prevet topplig or fallig over. This is particularly relevat for exteral uits which are subject to the vagaries of the weather. Eclosures should be securely attached to the buildig itself or oto scaffoldig. Cosider the security of the eclosure to esure uauthorised persoel do ot eter. Site preparatio ad costructio of eclosures Site preparatio ad pre-clea 6.27 Before ay work starts (icludig erectig the eclosure), the DCU should be set up ad operatioal. A assessmet should have bee completed to establish the PPE ad RPE required for the iitial preparatio work ad costructio of the eclosure. The proposed work area should be ispected ad checked to prepare for the removal work. The mai purpose of the ispectio is to idetify the eed for a pre-clea, prepare the site for work (eg by sheetig or removig items, ie a soft strip ), ad to deal with matters which may cause difficulties i obtaiig clearace certificatio (eg remaiig ACMs, wet floors etc). The site pre-work ispectio should be performed i the areas where clearace will be required, ie the plaed eclosure area, the relevat surroudig places such as trasit ad waste routes, ad the area immediately ext to where the eclosure will be located If there is ay evidece of mior ACM debris or dust the a pre-clea should be udertake (but ote 6.30 ad 6.31 regardig sigificat cotamiatio). All the loose material should be cleaed up before the eclosure is costructed. The pre-clea should be udertake usig appropriate dust suppressio ad cotrol measures, icludig vacuumig with a type H vacuum cleaer, surface wipig, temporary ecapsulatio with polyviyl acetate (PVA), tape or clig film, spray wettig ad baggig. It is also advisable to carry out a pre-clea if there is o-asbestos dust ad debris preset. This material ca be disposed of as ormal waste. Otherwise oce the work starts, the material will be cosidered as asbestos ad will have to be removed as hazardous waste (see paragraphs ). A pre-work visual site ispectio should be carried out to determie the eed for a pre-clea of the area to be eclosed ad immediate surroudig areas 6.29 The work area should be free from items of plat, equipmet ad furiture as far as possible. All mobile or portable items should be removed before the eclosure is costructed. Ay items remaiig, eg plat or electrical equipmet should also be pre-cleaed ad the protected or covered with polythee sheetig ad securely taped to complete the seal to prevet cotamiatio. If there are boilers, or similar plat icorporatig flues, iside the eclosure, the flues should be sealed to prevet the spread of asbestos. The iclusio of live operatig plat withi the eclosure will oly be allowed i exceptioal circumstaces Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 97 of 181

97 Health ad Safety (see paragraphs ). However, if its iclusio is uavoidable, other factors, eg combustio air requiremets o active boilers will eed to be cosidered. Similarly, floor surfaces or areas which may be difficult to decotamiate (eg earth floors, behid ad below radiators ad pipes) or will geerate dust durig cleaig (eg cocrete) should be pre-cleaed ad the protected. Costructio of the eclosure 6.30 The eclosure should be desiged ad costructed so that asbestos materials are ot disturbed util it is complete. This is particularly importat where there is extesive cotamiatio of the floor ad other surfaces. The hygiee uit should be set up ad fully operatioal before work starts. This icludes ay work ivolved with erectig the eclosure ad pre-cleaig asbestos or suspect asbestos cotamiatio 6.31 I situatios where the work is beig udertake i premises where there is sigificat cotamiatio (eg due to a icidet) ad the eclosure caot be built to ecompass the material, the the loose visible asbestos dust ad debris ad other items should be removed before the eclosure is costructed. The pre-clea should be doe usig appropriate dust suppressio ad cotrol measures (see paragraph 6.28) Costructio ad compositio of the eclosure will deped o various factors, icludig the extet of use of the existig buildig structure, the duratio of the job ad the locatio of the work. Where it is possible ad feasible, the existig parts of a buildig may be used. This ca have beefits i time ad possibly i reducig the potetial for leaks. All opeigs (vets, doors, widows, holes etc) will have to be sealed. However, usig a existig buildig may preset practical issues i terms of sitig vetilatio plat ad airlocks, ad i the provisio of viewig paels The most widely used form of eclosure is a self-supportig temporary uit built to accommodate the work area. These cosist of a frame to which sheetig material is securely fixed. Polythee sheetig is oe of the most widely used materials for eclosures, providig a flexible, impervious ad easily erected barrier. It eeds to be thick eough to withstad the wear ad tear of the job. For most situatios, opaque sheetig of omial 1000 gauge (250 micros) should be sufficiet. Where there are fire hazards, eg i power statios or from process plat, orage fire-retardat polythee should be used. I exposed locatios, polythee sheetig may ot have sufficiet stregth, so alterative materials such as polyviyl chloride (PVC) sheet reiforced with wove ylo mesh ca be cosidered. Where solid barriers are eeded, suitable paels or woode board ca be used, lied iterally with polythee sheetig The most widely used method of supportig the sheetig material is by timber framework. The size of the timbers used i the supportig framework will vary depedig o their usupported legth, but they eed to be of such dimesios to provide adequate fixig ad support for the sheetig material. Timber width of 50 mm x 50 mm should be sufficiet for iteral work. Timber should also be clea. The sheetig should be secured to the timber usig staples, tape ad spray tack. Scaffold frameworks with iterally fixed scaffold boards may also be used if they are rigidly coected to the structure or properly desiged to be free-stadig. Proprietary desiged frameworks of metal or plastic pipe, agle, chael etc, ca also be used. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 98 of 181

98 Health ad Safety 6.35 If a scaffold framework with iterally fixed boards is used, the sheetig material should be fixed to the iside of the supportig framework. Where a timber framework is used, the sheetig ca be attached to either side of the timber. But, ote the followig poits: if it is attached to the outside, asbestos fibres may be retaied o or behid the framework, so it eeds to be either protected agaist cotact with asbestos (eg by tapig up the timber/sheetig jois) or the framework ad its iterface with the sheetig scrupulously decotamiated after use; If the polythee sheetig is attached to the iside of the timber, it will eed reiforcig, as this is a iheretly weaker attachmet uder egative pressure. More timber should be used i the framework ad there should be a greater frequecy of staples; the staples should be taped over (usig fabric tape) ad there should be cotiuous use of fabric tape at the timber/polythee cotact. This arragemet elimiates the potetial for dust ad debris to be trapped betwee the timber ad sheetig All joits i the sheetig material eed to be adequately sealed. Where adhesive tape is used to seal joits o polythee sheetig, it is preferable to apply it to both sides of the joit. Viyl tape is suitable where a eclosure is oly expected to be used for a relatively short period, but if eclosures are to be left i positio for a loger period, fabric-based tape (eg 75 mm width polycloth) is more effective The eclosure should cotai a sufficiet umber of viewig paels (ad/ or CCTV or webcam systems) to allow all parts of the eclosure to be visible from the outside. The clear plastic paels should be iserted ito the sheetig durig costructio. Paels should be taped o both sides. Pael size should be at least 600 mm x 300 mm uless it is impractical ad the paels should be located at a coveiet height for viewig (eg about 1.5 m from the floor surface). The airlocks ad baglocks should be at least 1 m x 1 m x 2 m (height) Figure 6.12 Flap arragemets for airlocks 6.38 Airlocks ad baglocks should be as big as possible to allow the ecessary chagig, cleaig ad trasfer activities for workers ad waste items ad bags. The airlocks ad baglocks should be at least 1 m x 1 m x 2 m (height). This is a miimum size. They will have to be bigger i situatios where larger items of waste, such as sectios of pipig, ductig or board, are beig removed. Where space is restricted i oe directio, eg alog a corridor, the airlocks ad baglocks should be exteded i the other directio (eg 0.8 m x 2 m x 2 m). Separate airlocks ad baglocks should be used where space allows Airlocks eed to be costructed with access opeigs betwee each compartmet which prevets asbestos dust passig from oe compartmet to the ext. This is usually achieved by cuttig vertical slits i the sheetig ad by fixig polythee sheets across the opeig (see Figure 6.12). This vertically shaped opeig is the reiforced at the top. The vertical sheet eeds to be placed o the eclosure side of the partitio with a adequate overlap so that air ca move iwards but outward air movemet is restricted. Smoke testig will demostrate that this is effective. The bottom of the ier flaps should be weighted dow to improve cotrol of airflow by the additio of a timber or metal bar, or a legth of chai which allows flexibility i all directios. As airlock flaps are used frequetly, they should be made from heavy gauge material such as omial 1000 gauge sheetig. Various proprietary desigs of airlock are available, but some types do ot permit the flow of a adequate supply of replacemet air. Where these desigs are used, separate meas of providig replacemet air may be eeded (see paragraph 6.42). A adequate supply of replacemet air ito the eclosure is essetial (see Figure 6.14). The outer compartmet should be fitted with a further vertical sheet (a Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 99 of 181

99 Health ad Safety security sheet o the outside) which is used to cover over the etrace at the ed of the shift. It should be taped back oto the roof area whe the airlock is beig used The floors of eclosures eed to be covered i a impervious material uless the existig floor, o which the eclosure is erected, has a impervious surface which ca be thoroughly cleaed after asbestos removal work is completed. Floor coverigs may become slippery. If polythee is used, it ca be covered with hardboard, or similar material, to miimise this risk. But, where hardboard or similar materials are used, they eed to be disposed of as asbestos waste. The floor of the eclosure should be covered i a impervious layer Air extractio equipmet 6.41 Whatever the type of eclosure, it is importat to remember that o costructio method will give a absolutely airtight seal ad that some degree of leakage will always be preset. For this reaso, mechaical extract vetilatio eeds to be applied to maitai the air pressure iside the eclosure slightly below atmospheric pressure (kow as egative pressure). This esures that the airflow through ay leaks i the eclosure will be iwards rather tha outwards, so that asbestos dust is cotaied withi the eclosure. It is ecessary to supply sufficiet make-up air to replace the extracted air. This is ormally achieved by allowig air to eter the eclosure i a cotrolled maer through the airlocks. I this way, the vetilatio of the eclosure is regulated ad a supply of clea air for the asbestos workers is assured The locatio of the air extractio uit (also called the NPU) eeds to be cosidered to esure effective airflow maagemet through the eclosure ad airlocks. I priciple the NPU should be located opposite the airlocks. The ideal positio is show i Figure However the exact locatio will deped o several factors, icludig the layout ad shape of the eclosure ad the accessibility or suitability of walls for sitig equipmet. Examples of good ad poor airflow maagemet are give i Figures 6.14 ad The airlock aloe may supply sufficiet fresh air for a small or simple eclosure, but for larger or complex premises, additioal air ilets may be required. I such circumstaces, egieerig or vetilatio advice should be sought. These air ilets should have filtratio (pre-filter) i them ad be sealed if the eclosure is left overight with the NPUs tured off. The locatio of these ilets also eeds to be properly cosidered to esure airflow maagemet is ot udermied or short-circuited. To esure sufficiet air distributio withi the eclosure, it may also be ecessary to duct the exhaust air from further iside the eclosure. This is particularly importat if the airlock ad extract uit are to be sited close to oe aother The NPU should ormally be located outside the eclosure with oly the pre-filter visible from the iside. However, this will deped o access ad available space. If flexible ductig is required iside the eclosure betwee the mai HEPA filter uit ad the pre-filter, it may become damaged, allowig the pre-filter to be bypassed. I such circumstaces, this flexible hosig should be protected ad regularly ispected. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 100 of 181

100 Health ad Safety Figure 6.13 Ideal NPU positio Threestage airlock NPU Air flow Eclosure Threestage baglock Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 101 of 181

101 Health ad Safety Figure 6.14 Examples of good airflow maagemet i differet shaped buildigs NPU Additioal trukig No access to wall Threestage airlock Threestage baglock Eclosure No NPU access to wall Air flow NPU Additioal trukig NPU No NPU access to wall Threestage airlock Air flow Threestage baglock Eclosure Eclosure NPU Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 102 of 181

102 Health ad Safety Figure 6.15 Example of poor airflow maagemet NPU Threestage airlock Air flow Eclosure Threestage baglock NPU 6.44 Extract vetilatio should be provided by a purpose-built uit icorporatig a fa ad suitable filters. The mai characteristics of a good extract vetilatio system (see Figure 6.16) are: Adequate filtratio. The system eeds to icorporate a high-efficiecy (HEPA) filter of at least % efficiecy whe tested i accordace with BS 3928: 1969 or the Dioctyl phthalate (DOP) test. The filter eeds to be istalled o the egative pressure side of the fa ad well sealed aroud its edges to prevet leakage of cotamiated air. The HEPA filter will be the fial stage of filtratio. Their high efficiecy capability meas that large quatities of dust should be avoided. Therefore to prolog its workig life, other filter(s) should be icorporated ito the system. A coarse pre-filter should be fitted before the HEPA filter ad it may also be worthwhile fittig a secod high efficiecy filter. The machie is the tested as a whole to show that as a uit it has at least % efficiecy. Adequate fa performace. The fa is required to ru for exteded periods of time. It also eeds to be capable of achievig its rated airflow agaist the resistace flow preseted by the filters (which will become icreasigly dirty ad partially blocked), ad ay discharge ductig istalled ad possibly from wid pressures if dischargig outside. The use of ductig ca cause cosiderable losses i airflow, typically m 3 /s ( CFM) per 6-metre legth. Ductig legth must therefore be take ito accout i calculatig the required vetilatio rate. Maufacturers ca advise o specific airflow losses liked to ductig type ad dimesios (legth ad diameter). I practice this usually meas that a cetrifugal fa should be used. Fa sizes usually rage from m 3 /s ( CFM). Robust costructio. The system eeds to be desiged for cotiuous operatio ad should be costructed of materials of sufficiet stregth to withstad the wear ad tear of ormal usage, icludig frequet trasportatio ad a degree of rough hadlig. Reverse flow damper. A damper or other device eeds to be icorporated i the extract system to prevet reverse flow as a result of fa failure or adverse wid coditios. Reverse flow would put the eclosure uder positive pressure with respect to atmosphere, resultig i the outward leakage of ufiltered air. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 103 of 181

103 Health ad Safety Idicatio of flow. A maometer or similar device should be fitted to NPUs to idicate that the system is providig a adequate airflow. A audible or visual warig of low airflow (eg due to filter blockage) is also recommeded. Low airflow is whe the airflow drops below the ormal or specified output of the uit (which is liked to the miimum air chage rate specified for the eclosure, eg 8 air chages per hour (see paragraph 6.47)). The maometer readig should be checked as part of a visual ispectio at the start of each shift (see Box 6.1). Discharge ductig. The cotamiated air from the extract systems should be discharged to a safe locatio i the outside atmosphere. Ductig should discharge i a safe place away from air itakes, widows, occupied areas, etc, ad preferably away from the sides of buildigs or other obstructios where back pressure could occur i high wids. The dimesios (legth ad diameter) of the ductig used will be depedet o the locatio ad type of extractor used, especially the diameter of the exhaust outlet pipe. Figure 6.16 Extractio vetilatio uit, showig typical costructio features Pre-filter HEPA filter (sadwiched betwee pre-filter ad fa casig) Cotrol uit with switches, warig lights ad pressure gauge Sealig tape Polythee sheetig formig eclosure No-retur flap Coectio for flexible draiage ductig Cetrifugal fa (a) Geeral view Polythee sheetig Polythee sheetig (b) Method of istallatio (Note: Pre-filter should be replaceable from iside eclosure) (c) Essetial compoets of extract uit (Note: Compoets may be separated by flexible ductig at A or B i some desigs) Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 104 of 181

104 Health ad Safety 6.45 It is ofte ecessary to replace pre-filters durig the course of a job. It is recommeded that strippig operatios stop while this is doe, to prevet overloadig the HEPA filter. The pre-filters eed to be accessible from iside the eclosure without disturbig the HEPA filter, ad whe the pre-filter is to be removed or replaced, the fa eeds to be tured off (work should also stop). Replacemet of the fial high efficiecy filter is more complex ad will require special precautios. The ormal practice would be to remove the NPU from the eclosure ad istall a replacemet. Filter replacemet would subsequetly be carried out by a specialist cotractor uder cotrolled (ie vetilated) coditios i their premises. There should be strict procedures for the work ad it should be udertake by competet traied persoel wearig adequate PPE. After replacemet of the HEPA filter, the NPU should be DOP tested to esure the equipmet performace is satisfactory, ie that the filter is correctly istalled ad sealed The level of egative pressure withi the eclosure is depedet o several factors, particularly the extract flow rate ad the extet of leakage from the uit. Calculatio of the vetilatio rate must take accout of the volume of the eclosure ad the volume of the airlock ad baglock. It must also iclude additioal allowaces for reduced airflow due to the filters ad ductig ad due to exteral iflueces (wid pressures). The vetilatio rate selected will oly be a guide to the egative pressure withi the eclosure as the actual pressure will deped o the extet of leakage ito the eclosure. The degree of egative pressure eeds to be assessed usig a combiatio of methods icludig moitorig (see paragraph 6.53), visual observatio of flow coditios ad the use of idicators such as smoke tubes The exact vetilatio requiremets for each eclosure will have to be determied o a idividual job basis (based o eclosure size/volumes, buildig layout etc). However, while extract system flow rates caot be specified i detail, experiece has show that i may cases a flow rate of about 0.2 m 3 /s for each 100 m 3 of eclosed volume (100 ft 3 /mi per 1000 ft 3 ) appear to give a satisfactory performace. This is equivalet to approximately 8 air chages per hour i the eclosure. Where there are difficulties i obtaiig a effective seal, it may be ecessary to overextract to compesate. Extractio rates should ot be excessive, causig damage to the itegrity of the eclosure (eg collapsig i o itself). The above rates may ot be appropriate for large eclosures. I very large eclosures, such as power statios, the maiteace of iteral egative pressure may be impracticable. I may cases more effective extractio ca be achieved by subdividig work areas ito smaller uits (see paragraph 6.19). Testig, moitorig ad maiteace 6.48 The resposibility for moitorig ad maiteace of the eclosure ca be allocated to a omiated, traied ad competet perso, ad there eeds to be a system devised which sets out the procedure ad frequecy of ispectio. The results of the visual ispectio, moitorig ad maiteace eed to be recorded i a log book. The amed perso should also be resposible for those duties. It is recommeded that maagemet ispect the log book at frequet itervals. There are several tests ad checks which should be carried out. Visual ispectio 6.49 Before asbestos work starts, a thorough visual ispectio of the eclosure is required to esure that it has bee costructed correctly ad that it is effectively sealed. Particular attetio eeds to be paid to seals, airlocks, joits, ad the fittig of sheetig aroud pipes, pipe trays, coduits, etc. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 105 of 181

105 Health ad Safety Figure 6.17 A eclosure beig smoke tested Smoke testig 6.50 The eclosure should be tested by releasig smoke from a smoke geerator iside the eclosure with the air extractio equipmet switched off (see Figure 6.17). Escapig smoke idicates leaks which eed to be dealt with, as far as possible Oce the eclosure is full of smoke, all exteral areas should be checked for the presece of smoke. This should iclude the floors above ad below as appropriate ad ay foreseeable locatios that smoke could emerge, icludig less obvious locatios, eg by passig through cavity walls. Major leaks may be apparet but ot always. I certai circumstaces, smoke may take some time to emerge, eg i complex buildigs, or where eclosure walls have itricate or multiple foldig ad pleatig. The visual check should be coducted over a sufficiet time period. Mior leaks will ot always be obvious. These mior leaks ca still result i the sigificat cotamiatio of adjacet areas. The easiest way to check for smoke released from mior leaks is to shie a torch beam alog the area beig checked (see Figure 6.18). Mior releases of smoke will be show up across the beam of light. Where the source of the mior leak caot be traced, reliace may have to be placed o the eclosure s air movemet (see paragraph 6.47) Oce the smoke has bee cleared ad ay leaks elimiated, the eclosure eeds to be tested with the air extractio equipmet ruig. The airlock flaps will be lifted by the airflow through the system ad the eclosure walls will bow iwards idicatig slight egative pressure iside the eclosure, esurig that ay residual leaks are iwards. I ay evet, air will eed to flow through the eclosure purgig the airlocks, establishig circulatio withi the eclosure ad allowig correct fuctioig of the air extractio equipmet. Additioal leak testig ca be performed exterally usig smoke tubes, while the air extractio equipmet is ruig, ad otig ay smoke sucked iside. Smoke tube testig should be carried out aroud particular seals ad jois to esure they are effective. Such small amouts of smoke will ot adversely affect the HEPA filter. Oly whe the itegrity of the eclosure ad extractio equipmet is prove, ca asbestos removal work begi. Differetial pressure moitors 6.53 The relative pressure i the eclosure ca be moitored usig differetial pressure moitors. These istrumets provide a cotiuous idicatio of the egative pressure (relative to atmospheric pressure) withi the eclosure. A pressure differece of about 5 pascals or above (0.5 mm water gauge) is usually sufficiet to esure that there is ot et outward movemet of air from a eclosure withi a buildig. However air pressure withi the eclosure may ot be uiform ad ca be subject to exteral iflueces. I particular outside wid pressure (ie strog wids) ca affect the air pressure withi the eclosure through direct impact o the eclosure side (icludig floor ad ceilig) or through draughts from ope doors ad widows i the buildig. So, cosiderable care is eeded whe usig differetial pressure moitors, as misleadig results ca be obtaied. Users should be properly traied. Moitorig results should always be used i cojuctio with other idicators of the correct fuctioig of NPUs, ie satisfactory smoke tests, tautess of eclosure walls ad positio of airlock flaps A thorough visual ispectio of the eclosure should be carried out at the start of each workig shift to check for ay breaches ad to establish that the iteral egative pressure is maitaied (ie the sides of the eclosure are draw i). The NPU pressure gauge should be checked to esure there is sufficiet airflow. It is also recommeded that tests with smoke tubes or differetial pressure moitors be carried out at frequet itervals. Daily checks should be performed where the eclosure is located i a occupied buildig. The results of the visual ispectio, moitorig ad maiteace eed to be recorded i a log book. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 106 of 181

106 Health ad Safety Figure 6.18 A torch beig used to fid smoke leaks Viewig paels 6.55 Viewig paels should be checked frequetly ad cleaed as ecessary to esure clear views of the iside of the eclosure. Paels ca be wiped dow as required. Airbore dust will readily adhere to the perspex surface ad will provide a idicator of the extet of dust geeratio withi the eclosure. If they eed to be cleaed regularly, this suggests limited effectiveess of the cotrolled strippig techiques. Air moitorig 6.56 Air moitorig should be carried out periodically to cofirm that the eclosure, airlocks ad air extractio equipmet are workig effectively ad o asbestos has spread outside. Moitorig should be performed oce work starts ad the periodically to demostrate cotiued effectiveess of the system. Air moitorig i the viciity of the NPU discharge outlet(s) is ecessary where it vets iside the buildig. This is particularly importat if it has bee ecessary to replace the NPU durig the operatio. Daily moitorig should be performed where the eclosure is located i a occupied buildig. However moitorig should ever be see as a substitute for frequet thorough visual ispectio of the eclosure. The requiremet for moitorig ad its extet will deped o the ature of the work ad locatio. More attetio eeds to be give to occupied or sesitive areas ad less to uoccupied or remote locatios. Full details o airbore samplig for asbestos is give i Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures. 8 Testig ad maitaiig air extractio equipmet 6.57 Curret procedures for the operatio ad maiteace of air extractio plat eed to be clearly set out, ad the users give adequate istructio o how to operate the system correctly. The system eeds to be correctly istalled ad checked by a competet perso before use; i particular, it is importat that the equipmet is checked to esure that it is i good coditio ad has bee properly assembled. A maiteace schedule eeds to be formulated ad carefully followed, ad clear istructios give o the actio to take if the uit breaks dow or fails to achieve specified performace, eg work should stop ad the equipmet be replaced Thorough examiatio ad testig of air extractio equipmet must be carried out at least every six moths by a traied ad competet perso. This ormally ivolves thorough decotamiatio ad dismatlig of the equipmet, a visual examiatio of compoet parts to establish that they are i efficiet workig order ad i good repair, ad the chagig of all filters (uless there is o sigificat loss of airflow). The performace of the uit should be checked after it has bee reassembled to establish that airflow through the uit ad pressure drop across the HEPA filter meet the maufacturer s specificatio. Where the airflow has dropped below its desig capacity (eg a 2000 CFM uit is oly achievig 1500 CFM), this should be clearly marked o the uit itself ad the lower figure used i vetilatio calculatios. Air moitorig i the viciity of the exhausted air may also prove useful i establishig that the equipmet is fuctioig correctly i practice followig the thorough examiatio. However, if it passes the required % efficiecy, this may ot be ecessary. A record of ispectio, thorough examiatio, routie maiteace ad ay defects remedied must be kept available for ispectio The extractio system eeds to be tured o before work starts, ad be left ruig cotiuously throughout the strippig work, icludig times whe persoel are ot o site. If it is ot reasoably practicable to leave the system ruig cotiuously outside ormal work days, it ca be left o durig breaks ad for a sufficiet period at the ed of each shift to clear the eclosure of airbore dust (at least oe hour). O such occasios, access poits to the eclosure should be closed ad sealed. Automatic time-delay switches may be used for this purpose. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 107 of 181

107 Health ad Safety The extractio uit eeds to be tured o ad off from outside the eclosure, ad the switches should be clearly idetified. Whe persoel are ot o site, reasoable steps eed to be take to prevet the eclosure beig tampered with. Box 6.1 Eclosure checks Visual ispectio ad smoke test before work starts. Visual ispectio before each shift, icludig checkig the NPU pressure gauge. Additioal checks with smoke tubes ad pressure testig iside the eclosure (daily if the buildig is occupied). Air samplig: Occupied buildigs: daily: i the viciity of the eclosure; weak spots (eg sealed joits); airlocks ad NPU discharge poit(s). Other situatios: soo after work starts ad the periodically: locatios as above. Dismatlig ad disposal 6.60 Whe asbestos removal work has bee completed, the eclosure or work area must be cleaed, ispected ad tested i accordace with the requiremets of the four-stage clearace procedures (CAWR, regulatio 16). The clearace procedures will be differet where there is o eclosure (see paragraph 6.57). Guidace o site clearace preparatio ad four-stage clearace procedures is give i paragraphs If the clearace air test result is satisfactory, the eclosure should be carefully dismatled. Followig dismatlig, stage 4 of the four-stage clearace procedure ca be coducted, ie the site of the work area should be visually ispected to esure that o asbestos waste or debris was hidde by the eclosure or released durig its dismatlig. If ay cotamiatio is foud durig the dismatlig operatios, further cleaig must be carried out ad the process of visual ispectio ad air samplig repeated There is still potetial for exposure to asbestos fibres durig dismatlig of the eclosure. Fibres ca be released from the surface of polythee sheets or from trapped locatios i or uder sheetig (eg folds ad pleats) or hardboard. Therefore suitable PPE should be wor ad safe systems of work employed. The PPE should cosist of ormal coveralls ad half-masks (eg disposable FFP3 respirators). All polythee sheetig should be sprayed with PVA sealat before removal. This will miimise the release of fibres adherig to the surface through static electricity. The sheetig should be carefully removed from the framework, rolled or folded eatly ad placed i waste bags. Polythee sheetig should ot be reused due to its potetial cotamiatio ad loss of itegrity due to puctuatig by staples. The sheetig should be disposed of as asbestos waste The NPU should be checked to esure that it is firmly sealed. It ca go directly to the ext job or, if ecessary, be take to a suitable decotamiatio workshop for maiteace. Equipmet must ot be set to firms, maufacturers, etc, for maiteace uless they have decotamiatio facilities or the equipmet has first bee thoroughly decotamiated. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 108 of 181

108 Health ad Safety 6.64 There may be occasios after the work has bee completed ad the certificate of reoccupatio has bee issued that some additioal airbore samplig will be desirable or appropriate. This reassurace samplig is ot part of the formal clearace procedure but would be udertake i situatios where it is possible that some residual asbestos may remai ad testig is required to esure that it presets o risk. These types of situatios would iclude: where suspect asbestos has bee trapped i iaccessible crevices ad, although permaet sealig has bee performed, checkig is desirable to cofirm that it has bee effective; or where complex items of plat, electrical equipmet, or porous brickwork had bee sheeted over iside the eclosure, ad checkig is required to cofirm that o asbestos peetrated the sheetig. With good plaig ad careful work practices these situatios should be avoided. Reassurace samplig is ulikely to be routie ad is ot a substitute for ay part of the clearace procedure Problems arisig from cleaig access equipmet used i the eclosure ca ofte be miimised if sufficiet plaig has take place before the equipmet is take ito the eclosure. The eds of scaffold tubes should be capped ad, where possible, the scaffold boards covered with polythee to esure effective cleaig ca be carried out. However boards used iside a eclosure for access to plat at high level may create a slippig hazard if covered with polythee. It may be overcome by usig additioal boardig, eg plywood. I such cases, the risk eeds to be carefully cosidered before a decisio is made Mobile equipmet workig platforms (MEWPs) (eg scissor lifts) ca be used iside eclosures, provided that adequate arragemets are made to protect the equipmet ad for decotamiatio. Workig parts (egie, hydraulic equipmet etc) should be protected usig properly desiged robust sheetig (fabric material) which exteds ad cotracts with adjustmet of the platform height. Sheetig should exted as close as possible to floor or groud level ad have provisio to allow dispersio of exhaust gases (if appropriate) (see Figure 6.19). All exposed items (ie sheetig, lower parts of the equipmet such as wheels ad bodywork, ad the workig platform itself), should be decotamiated ad cleaed before site clearace. MEWPs should be ispected as part of the four-stage clearace procedure. Sheetig should be treated with PVA before removal ad the be disposed of as asbestos waste Where there is o eclosure, site clearace will follow most of the ormal process, but there will be some importat differeces. There should be a prelimiary check of site coditio ad job completeess, ad a thorough visual ispectio. The eed for air moitorig will deped o the circumstaces of the work. For example, if the work has bee located outside the clearace air moitorig will ot be expected. The fial visual ispectio will take place after all equipmet ad ay other items, such as partial eclosures or protective sheetig, have bee removed. Emergecy procedures 6.68 The risk of a accidet occurrig i a eclosure durig asbestos removal is always a possibility, eg from workig at heights i difficult or cofied areas. Accordigly, emergecy procedures for the evacuatio of ill or ijured persoel eed to be built ito the plaig stage ad detailed i the writte assessmet. This is ow required uder CAWR, regulatio 14. Persoel eed to be traied to deal with the emergecy. It may be ecessary to remove the victim s respirator at a early stage. Decotamiatio should be carried out as far as possible. Employees should vacuum themselves, ad the victim, ad spoge dow RPE ad boots. However evacuatio of the seriously ill or ijured employee should ot be delayed by over-elaborate attempts to decotamiate the casualty. If the victim ca be moved, work colleagues Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 109 of 181

109 Health ad Safety ca move them outside. If ecessary, etry/exit may be made by slittig the walls of the eclosure. All persoel should decotamiate themselves i the hygiee facility agai where possible. I some situatios it may be ecessary for the casualty to be treated iside the eclosure Arragemets for cotactig the emergecy services should be established. Iformatio should be made available to the relevat accidet ad emergecy services to eable those services to prepare their ow respose procedures ad precautioary measures for asbestos ad other hazards. Spare disposable protective clothig ad disposable RPE should be kept available for persoel who have to eter the eclosure ad who do ot have their ow equipmet, eg ambulace persoel or paramedics As asbestos persoel work i may differet premises ad buildigs, it is importat that they are familiar with procedures ad arragemets i the evet of fire. Such matters should be covered as part of the site iductio process. Workers should be iformed of the ature of the fire alarms or systems ad with the meas of escape from the eclosure ad the area i which it is situated. This will be particularly importat if the eclosure (or ideed hygiee facility) is located i a relatively iaccessible part of the premises, or if the escape route is awkward or legthy. If escape becomes ecessary, evacuatio from the premises should be the overwhelmig priority. Escape should ot be delayed by udergoig decotamiatio. I additio, RPE should be removed iside the eclosure if it ihibits or impedes escape. After reachig a safe area, PPE ad RPE should be decotamiated as far as possible. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 110 of 181

110 Health ad Safety Chapter 7: Cotrolled techiques for the removal ad repair of ACMs, icludig waste disposal Summary Wettig solutios Water o its ow is ot adequate to wet asbestos fibres. Ijectio Needles should be sufficiet to wet all areas of the ACM. Needles should be evely spaced. Needles should peetrate the full depth of the ACM. Wettig should be through cotrolled capillary actio ad ot forced delivery. ACMs, whe wet, should be doughy i cosistecy. New equipmet should comply with PAS 60. Sprayig Oly wets the outer surface, although icreased wettig ca be achieved with several sprays over a umber of hours. Is ot suitable for thick pipe isulatio or sprayed coatigs. Ca be used for may types of dust suppressio (eg whe dry spots are foud, debris etc). Dry strippig with cotrol at source This techique icludes wrap-ad-cut, glovebags, shadow vacuumig, direct removal by vacuum systems ad ehaced air maagemet. Is used where wet strippig is ot possible or to supplemet wet strippig techiques to further ehace cotrol. Waste disposal Ay asbestos waste should be packaged, labelled ad trasferred appropriately. Fial clearace Fial cleaace should be performed by a perso who is: l competet to do so; l idepedet of the cotractors carryig out the work. Fial clearace should be carried out i four stages: l Stage 1: Prelimiary check of site coditio ad job completeess; l Stage 2: A thorough visual ispectio iside the eclosure/work area; l Stage 3: Clearace air moitorig; l Stage 4: Fial assessmet post-eclosure/work area dismatlig. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 111 of 181

111 Health ad Safety Cotets Itroductio 113 HSE research 114 Choosig a asbestos strippig techique 115 Does the ACM eed to be removed? 115 Asbestos strippig techiques 116 Basic guidelies 116 Cotrolled wet strippig 118 Dry strippig with cotrol at source 125 Asbestos strippig situatios to avoid 130 Ucotrolled dry strippig 130 High-pressure water jettig 130 Power tools 130 Hot workig 130 Site cleaig ad preparatio for four-stage clearace 133 Disposal of asbestos waste 134 What is asbestos waste? 134 How to package ad label waste 135 Trasfer of waste to sealed skip or vehicle 137 Storage of asbestos waste 138 Trasfer for disposal 138 Carriage of dagerous goods requiremets 138 Site assessmet for reoccupatio (Four-stage clearace procedure) 139 Stage 1: Prelimiary check of site coditio ad job completeess 140 Stage 2: A thorough visual ispectio iside the eclosure/work area 144 Stage 3: Clearace idicator air samplig for the certificate of reoccupatio 148 Stage 4: Fial assessmet post-eclosure/work area dismatlig 150 Appedix 7.1: Labellig requiremets for plastic bags/sacks cotaiig asbestos waste 152 Appedix 7.2: Asbestos waste flow charts 153 Appedix 7.3: Asbestos waste tremcard iformatio 155 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 112 of 181

112 Health ad Safety Itroductio 7.1 This chapter covers the followig topic areas: geeral guidace o cotrolled asbestos removal techiques; the four-stage clearace procedure; cleaig ad disposal of asbestos waste. Box 7.1 The publicly available specificatios (PASs) for equipmet used i work with ACMs Equipmet used for the cotrolled removal of ACMs icludes cotrolled strippig equipmet, type H vacuum cleaers, NPUs, ad DCUs. Whatever equipmet is selected for use, it should be of a stadard sufficiet to esure compliace with CAWR. Employers of licesed asbestos removal operatives should esure that ay equipmet they hire or purchase is capable of performig to the stadards required. For example wet strippig equipmet ca oly be deemed to be cotrolled strippig equipmet, if it is able to thoroughly wet all areas of the asbestos isulatio. Oe way of esurig that the equipmet you hire or purchase is fit for purpose is to oly use equipmet that meets PAS 60. Full details o PAS 60 are give below: PAS 60 Equipmet used i the cotrolled removal of asbestos cotaiig materials has three parts, each costitutig a idividual specificatio or code of practice: Part 1 (PAS 60/1): Cotrolled wettig of asbestos cotaiig materials - Specificatio. This specificatio icludes sectios o desig, istructios for istallatio ad use, labellig ad coformity markig with a aex o flow measuremets from eedles. It does ot however iclude iformatio o wettig fluids ad wettability. Part 2 (PAS 60/2): Negative pressure uits - Specificatio. This is similar to Part 1 i that it icludes sectios o desig, istructios etc but has two aexes o airflow testig ad reportig. It should help address the issue of defiig airflow capacity. Part 3 (PAS 60/3): Operatio, cleaig ad maiteace of type H vacuum cleaers - Code of practice. This documet is differet. It is a code of practice o traiig, operatio, cleaig, maiteace ad record-keepig for type H vacuum cleaers. It cotais a requiremet to have a filtratio test certificate for the etire vacuum cleaer ad ot just for the HEPA filter. It also has similar requiremets for filtratio testig to those i PAS 60/2. Licesed cotractors will be expected to esure that ay ew equipmet they buy coforms to the relevat PAS specificatio. Equipmet that coforms to PAS 60/1 ad 60/2 will be clearly labelled ad should be easy to idetify. As far as maufacturers are cocered, it will be i their iterests to esure that they are able to supply their cliets with equipmet, which coforms to the relevat PAS specificatio. Cotractors will be able to comply with PAS 60/3 by puttig i place ad implemetig a regime, which fulfils the requiremets of the code of practice for type H vacuum cleaers. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 113 of 181

113 Health ad Safety Figure 7.1 Ucotrolled dry strippig 7.2 This chapter revises ad replaces the HSE guidace Cotrolled asbestos strippig techiques. It gives practical advice o techiques for the safe removal of ACMs, covered by the Asbestos (Licesig) Regulatios 1983 (as ameded), 1 ie asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad AIB. It does ot cover the followig: the safe removal of ACMs ot covered by the Asbestos (Licesig) Regulatios 1983 (as ameded). 1 However, guidace o o-licesed work is give i Asbestos essetials. There are two publicatios, A itroductio to asbestos essetials 13 ad Asbestos essetials task maual, 2 both available from HSE Books. Detailed guidace o workig with asbestos cemet is give i the HSE guidace Workig with asbestos cemet; 3 work clearig lad cotamiated with asbestos. However, some of the priciples discussed here ca be applied to work o cotamiated lad; safe meas of access, demolitio, use of ladders ad scaffoldig etc. Guidace o safety o costructio sites ca be foud i the HSE costructio iformatio sheets CIS49 28 ad CIS10, 29 ad i the HSE guidace Health ad safety i roof work. 30 HSE research 7.3 The guidace give i this documet takes accout of the fidigs of HSEsposored research o: exposures experieced durig dry strippig of asbestos; exposures experieced durig cotrolled wet strippig of asbestos; the workplace effectiveess of RPE. 7.4 Several coclusios have emerged from this research, icludig: ucotrolled dry strippig of asbestos must ot take place as it exposes asbestos strippig workers to very high cocetratios of asbestos fibres, levels well i excess of the protectio provided by RPE (see Figure 7.1). Note that ucotrolled dry strippig meas the removal of asbestos while i a dry state ad usig direct actio o the asbestos (ie power tools, axes, hammers etc). It does ot iclude the use of acceptable cotrolled techiques, eg uscrewig tiles or boards with shadow vacuumig; cotrolled wet strippig techiques ca miimise the release of asbestos fibres ad help to cotai the spread of cotamiatio; improved rates of wettig are achieved by the use of wettig agets; a combiatio of cotrolled strippig techiques is ofte eeded for effective cotrol; cotrolled strippig techiques require disciplied work practices; RPE should ot be relied upo as the sole way of cotrollig exposure durig asbestos strippig; the effective workplace protectio provided by RPE has bee foud to be much lower tha whe it is measured i laboratory tests; the strippig of asbestos from live heatig systems ad other hot eviromets leads to icreased fibre levels ad reduced performace of RPE, ad the potetial for heat stress. It ca oly be carried out i exceptioal, fully justifiable circumstaces, after completio of a adequate RA. 7.5 These fidigs emphasise the importace of regulatio 10 of CAWR. This regulatio requires employers to prevet exposure of their employees to asbestos, or where this is ot reasoably practicable to reduce it to the lowest level reasoably practicable by measures other tha usig RPE. Ucotrolled removal of asbestos ca result i exposures of 1000 f/ml Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 114 of 181

114 Health ad Safety Cotrolled removal of asbestos ca result i exposures less tha 1 f/ml, ad eve less tha 0.01 f/ml Choosig a asbestos strippig techique Does the ACM eed to be removed? 7.6 Before makig ay decisios about how the ACM should be removed ad the cotrol techiques to adopt, first cosider whether the ACM eeds to be removed (this has bee discussed i more detail i paragraphs ). 7.7 Where the decisio is made to remove ACM, the licesed asbestos removal cotractor eeds to cosider a umber of matters before decidig o the strippig techique, or combiatio of techiques, to use (these should be detailed i the assessmet ad POW). These matters iclude: the eed to miimise the amout of fibres geerated at the poit where asbestos is beig stripped. Power tools should be avoided where possible ad the asbestos should ot be dry whe worked o, with the exceptio of, eg electric screwdrivers used to uscrew AIB paels; the type of ACM, eg: where there is a impervious cemet layer o pipe laggig which will resist wettig; where laggig such as blakets is better wetted usig sprays rather tha ijectio; where AIB is fixed by differet methods (eg screws, ails, clips or glue); the surface oto which the asbestos has bee applied. For example a sprayed coatig may have bee applied oto a bitumious layer o structural steel work. This will make the removal of residual asbestos difficult; the locatio of the ACM ad the ature of the work area; the eed to prevet the escape of asbestos fibres from the eclosure to the geeral eviromet. The use of cotrolled strippig techiques will miimise the cocetratio of asbestos fibres withi the eclosure ad make their cotaimet easier. Further guidace o the desig ad costructio of eclosures is give i Chapter I additio to the requiremet to reduce exposure to asbestos as low as reasoably practicable, the licesed cotractor also eeds to cosider the coditios uder which the work will be carried out. Such coditios iclude where: the presece of live electrical equipmet will prevet, or restrict, the use of cotrolled wet strippig; the presece of chemicals may preset a direct risk to the workers or prevet the use of cotrolled wet strippig techiques; the use of wettig agets may create a risk of slips. This is particularly importat whe workig at height. 7.9 ACMs should ot be removed or repaired i hot eviromets. This applies to work o, or adjacet to, hot plat ad to circumstaces or coditios where the eclosure is likely to reach very high temperatures for other reasos. Eclosures will get hotter as isulatio from live pipework is removed. If, i extreme circumstaces, the asbestos has to be removed or repaired while the plat, or adjacet plat is o, a assessmet of the associated risks should be carried out ad the methods to reduce the risk of heat stress established (see paragraphs ). Do ot work o ACMs o or adjacet to hot plat Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 115 of 181

115 Health ad Safety 7.10 These factors should be cosidered i co-operatio with the cliet to esure that the work is carried out as safely as possible. Liaiso with the cliet or the cliet s agets is ecessary to esure that all the factors, which might ifluece the safety of the work, have bee take ito accout i the assessmet ad POW. Figure 7.2 Wrap-ad-cut Asbestos strippig techiques Basic guidelies 7.11 The primary objective i asbestos removal work is to prevet or miimise fibre release, ie remove the asbestos i a safe maer. This should always be the mai priority. So the choice of strippig method ad the work methods eed to be carefully cosidered to make sure that the most appropriate techiques are employed. The chose strippig method (or combiatio of methods) should disturb the ACM as little as possible ad the ACM should be treated or cotrolled to prevet fibre release There are a umber of cotrolled strippig techiques which ca be used to miimise the release of fibres durig asbestos removal. These ca be divided ito the followig two broad categories: Figure 7.3 Ijectio cotrolled wet strippig (paragraphs ); dry strippig with cotrol at source (paragraphs ). The strippig method should disturb the fibres as little as possible 7.13 The type of method (or combiatio of methods) used i asbestos strippig will deped o a umber of factors. These factors iclude: Figure 7.4 A low pressure spray the type of asbestos product, eg laggig, sprayed coatig, board; the thickess of the ACM; the presece ad ature of ay coatig o the ACM; the type ad ature of ay fixig, eg ailed, screwed; miscellaeous factors, eg whether pipework is redudat, the material is damaged, accessibility, etc Paragraphs provide a guide to the types of strippig methods that ca be used for ACMs (the methods are discussed more fully i paragraphs ): Basic guidelies: Laggig ad sprayed coatigs (usually foud o boilers, pipework, structural beams ad colums) Is the pipework or vessel redudat? If yes, the wrap-ad-cut may be appropriate (see Figure 7.2). Is the material relatively thick (greater tha 1 cm) ad covered with a coatig which ca be puctured by ijectio eedles, eg ecapsulated sprayed coatigs? If yes, the low pressure ijectio ca be used (see Figure 7.3). Is the material damaged? If yes, the wrap i polythee ad tape up to prevet loss of fluid. Iject through the polythee. Is the material usealed ad relatively thi, for example upaited sprayed coatigs less tha 1 cm thick? If yes, the cotrolled low pressure sprays ca be used (see Figure 7.4). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 116 of 181

116 Health ad Safety Figure 7.5 Shadow vacuumig durig uscrewig of board Is there a impermeable layer which caot be puctured by ijectio eedles, eg pipe laggig with a hard cemet coatig? If yes, the ijectio holes ca be prepared by usig: had drills ad shadow vacuumig (this is where the ozzle, fitted with a suitable attachmet, of a type H (BS 5415) 31 vacuum cleaer is held as close as possible to the source of fibre release throughout the task (see Figure 7.5)); drillig usig a low-speed drill with a cowl aroud the bit ad fitted with LEV (see Figure 7.6); or drillig through a viscous medium such as wallpaper paste or shavig foam (see Figure 7.7). Figure 7.6 Drillig usig a low-speed drill with cowl ad fitted with LEV Figure 7.7 Textured coatig beig drilled through paste Basic guidelies: Boards ad tiles Is oe surface upaited ad accessible? If yes, the vacuumig ad the use of cotrolled low pressure sprays o the upaited surfaces, followed by shadow vacuumig durig uscrewig, are appropriate. Repeated wettig over approximately 24 hours ca wet the board to a soggy cardboard cosistecy ad reduce the eed for shadow vacuumig. Is the upaited surface iaccessible? If yes, the shadow vacuumig while uscrewig is appropriate, with vacuumig of the exposed ad upaited surfaces followed by the use of cotrolled low-pressure sprays. Are both surfaces paited? If yes, the shadow vacuumig while uscrewig is appropriate. If the boards are ailed, take great care to miimise breakage durig removal. Sprayig of upaited surfaces should be used as described above. To remove the board, the area of the ail should be stregtheed with the use of heavyduty tape ad the board carefully eased away from the wall usig a crow bar (or similar). Oce the ail has bee exposed betwee the board ad timber, this ca, where possible, be cut. Alteratively, if the boards ca t be easily lifted without breakig, the scribig ad breakig ca be used. This should oly be used if other, safer methods will ot work as there ca be sigificat fibre release. Wettig ad shadow vacuumig should also be used to miimise fibre release. Magets ca be used to locate screws or ails which have bee obscured due to paitig or other coatig. If the ails or screws caot be easily foud or if boards are glued, methods based o the above should be applied. There will be may ad varied situatios, however, the priciples should be to avoid breakage as far as reasoably practicable, keep exposed surfaces wet ad use shadow vacuumig whe workig o the AIB. This may ivolve pait strippers, breakig boards etc, but the RA should show that the most appropriate method has bee chose that reduces exposure as far as is reasoably practicable. Wettig of the AIB surface, particularly the upper surfaces of ceilig tiles, ca be achieved usig log (up to 2 metres) metal tubes with holes alog their legth. The metal tubes ca be laid o the surface of the AIB ad the wettig aget fed through i a cotrolled maer. Basic guidelies: Additioal good practice 7.15 I additio to the use of cotrolled strippig techiques, there are other elemets of good workig practice which are eeded to cotrol exposure. The selectio ad use of tools ad equipmet ca greatly affect exposure levels; abrasive power ad peumatic tools i particular ca create high fibre cocetratios. Every effort should be made to avoid the use of such tools, ie power tools should be avoided. Maual tools should be used with shadow vacuumig where possible. However, where the use of abrasive power ad peumatic tools is uavoidable, they should be used at the lowest effective speed with additioal cotrol measures such as LEV. Examples iclude a cowl Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 117 of 181

117 Health ad Safety fitted with extractio located aroud a drill bit (the cowl should be fitted with a sprig so that it remais i cotact with the surface of the material as the drill bit peetrates) or shadow vacuumig. It is essetial that every worker receives adequate traiig (where idetified as a traiig eed, icludig refresher traiig), i the use of cotrolled strippig techiques, ad that there is adequate site supervisio. More detailed traiig will be required for site supervisors. Good cotrol techiques ca be made worthless by poor work practices, resultig from a lack of traiig ad supervisio. Chapter 4 o traiig provides guidace for traiig operatives ad supervisors for work with asbestos isulatio ad coatigs. The use of cotrolled strippig techiques does ot remove the eed for close supervisio ad checkig that the stadards of cotrol ad work methods are beig maitaied. Viewig paels provided i eclosures allow supervisors to check that operators are followig istructios ad takig the ecessary precautios. If PVC is used for viewig paels, it will attract airbore fibres ad therefore its visible dustiess will be a idicatio of the effectiveess of the wettig. Maiteace of cotrol equipmet is essetial to esure it cotiues to operate effectively. Good waste cotrol measures eed to be used, icludig clearig away waste material as work progresses While some cotrolled strippig methods (eg multi-poit ijectio) ca, i priciple, achieve more cotrol tha others, the whole rage of cotrolled techiques may eed to be cosidered for a particular job. A combiatio or series of approaches may be eeded for effective cotrol i differet aspects or phases of the work, eg the use of had or low-powered sprays to dampe asbestos durig the removal of metal claddig from laggig. Cotrolled wet strippig Wettig agets 7.17 Asbestos fibres ca be effectively suppressed if the material is properly ad uiformly soaked or wetted with a liquid. Some materials ca be wetted aturally with water (eg chrysotile). These are described as hydrophilic. Other materials such as crocidolite ad amosite are hydrophobic ad ted to repel water due to a high surface tesio. However, the wettig property of water ca be improved through the use of surface actig chemicals (or surfactats, but commoly called wettig agets or detergets). Wettig agets icrease the affiity of water to solid materials eablig them to be more readily wetted. Crocidolite ad amosite ca be effectively wetted with water cotaiig a wettig aget. I additio, wettig agets should also be used with chrysotile products as amphibole asbestos ad other hydrophobic materials may be preset (eg calcium silicate), ad the wettig aget will speed up ad improve the efficiecy of the wettig process. Water o its ow will ot adequately wet asbestos fibres 7.18 Wettig agets ca be applied by ijectio or sprayig, ad are supplied either ready for use or requirig further dilutio. Dilutio ca be typically betwee 10:1 ad 15:1, accordig to the maufacturer s recommedatios. Some wettig agets ca ease removal by looseig the bidig agets withi the ACM. Priciples for cotrolled wettig 7.19 To achieve effective cotrolled wettig, several basic rules ad priciples eed to be uderstood. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 118 of 181

118 Health ad Safety Figure 7.8 Good practice: Wet ijectio o a large pipe Figure 7.9 Good practice: Wet ijectio o pipework The objective is to wet the material all the way through. Dry or partially wet patches will lead to high fibre levels. The wettig aget should be applied at a rate at which it ca be absorbed by the asbestos. Excessive supply rates will lead to loss of wettig aget ad icomplete wettig. Wettig is ot a istataeous process. Sufficiet time should be allowed for the wettig aget to thoroughly peetrate the ACM. The time take will deped o the type of ACM beig ijected. More porous ad less dese materials, such as sprayed asbestos coatigs, become saturated much more quickly tha deser ad less porous materials such as had applied ad high calcium silicate pipe laggig. It is therefore importat that the workers carryig out the wettig ad their supervisors have sufficiet traiig ad experiece to judge whe it is safe to begi removal. Some materials may be removed after oly 3-4 hours soakig, while others may require up to 24 hours. Avoid over-wettig to prevet the wettig aget seepig out of cracks i the asbestos ad presetig a slip hazard. It ca also cause a slurry which ca be difficult to deal with. Wrappig ay damaged pipe laggig (eg with clig film) ca collect ay wettig aget (ad asbestos debris), which may seep out. Alteratively drip trays or troughs ca be placed uder the pipework, although these ca be difficult to positio to collect the leaks. The degree of peetratio ad wettig should be checked by visual examiatio before attemptig removal. With some ACMs, there is a visible colour chage whe adequate wettig has bee achieved. Laggig should be of a dough-like cosistecy whe adequately wetted. The use of dyes i the wettig aget may also assist examiatio. Small samples take to determie the degree of peetratio ad wettig should be from areas remote from the pump or towards the last group of eedles. Durig such testig, shadow vacuumig should be used ad if ay exposed dry patches are foud, they should be sprayed immediately ad the re-ijected. Good wettig: Complete wettig of the asbestos coatig or laggig. The asbestos is wet to a doughy cosistecy. Exposure levels are cotrolled to less tha 1 f/ml. Poor wettig (causes: pressure too high, wrog eedles, or eedles poorly positioed): Areas of the asbestos coatig or laggig are completely dry. Areas of the asbestos coatig or laggig are sodde, with the asbestos fallig off uder its ow weight. Exposure levels are 100 f/ml ad higher. Cotrolled wettig usig ijectio 7.20 Ijectio techiques ca be used whe the outer surface of the ACM is sealed, covered or coated ad the ski will prevet loss of fluid (eg see Figures 7.8 ad 7.9). Ijectio systems come i two basic forms: multi-poit ad sigle poit. Multi-poit systems have a umber of eedles coected together ad are coected to a commo ijectio pump. Hedgehogs (where the eedles are grouped together o a flat board) are appropriate for flat surfaces, such as sprayed coatigs o ceiligs or beams or laggig o flat plat (see Figure 7.10). Alteratively a strig of eedles, usually set cm apart ad liked by tubig from the ijectio pump ca be wrapped aroud the item cotaiig asbestos (see Figure 7.11). The eedles i this system ca be fitted with idividual flow cotrol values which allows adjustmet to esure the appropriate volume of fluid is delivered to each eedle. The strig-of-eedle system is extremely flexible ad has a much greater rage of applicatio tha hedgehogs. The latter system is also less practical ad requires repeated placig of the uit o the ACM, icreasig the potetial for dry spots ad wettig time. Sigle-poit ijectio systems such as eedle gus have very limited applicatio. Their mai use is iaccessible areas, where it is difficult to set up a multi- Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 119 of 181

119 Health ad Safety poit uit. Sigle-poit ijectio systems should ever be used i place of multi-poit systems Ijectio eedles are available i may sizes ad desigs. The specificatio of the eedle will deped o the characteristics of the ACM, particularly thickess, shape ad coditio. Thi coatigs or isulatio (1 cm or less) require eedles with holes at the tip, or log, agled eedles. This allows the eedle to be pushed ito ad flat with the thi coatig (see Figure 7.10). These agled eedles help the lateral movemet of the wettig aget. Thick coatigs or isulatio require log eedles with holes alog their legth, sufficiet to peetrate the full depth of the isulatio. The holes should face the substrate. Figure 7.10 Needle board (hedgehog) multi-poit ijectio system ad agled eedles for use o thi layers of asbestos, eg a sprayed coatig Structure (cocrete - steel - wood) Asbestos cotaiig material, eg a sprayed coatig Needle board (hedgehog) Agled eedles Figure 7.11 Cotrolled multi-poit ijectio delivery through a etwork of fie eedles Ijectio eedles Asbestos laggig Pipe wall 7.22 Oce the eedles have bee selected, cosider carefully where to place them. There are a few simple guidelies to follow: ijectio should be carried out i a methodical maer. If the eedles are placed too far apart, dry patches will occur; the greater the umber of eedles, the more likely it is that uiform peetratio will be achieved; where reasoably practicable, the wettig aget should be applied from the top so gravity helps it move through the asbestos; horizotal pipes should have eedles ruig alog the top of the pipe, spaced cm apart (see Figures 7.8 ad 7.9), allowig the wettig solutio to diffuse dow from the top of the laggig; large diameter pipes may eed additioal rus of eedles, agai towards the top of the horizotal pipe; vertical pipes should have eedles placed horizotally aroud the top of the pipe, allowig wettig solutio to diffuse as a wet bad dow the laggig. They Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 120 of 181

120 Health ad Safety should ot spiral dow the pipe, but be i horizotal plaes; tall vertical pipes may eed additioal horizotal rigs of eedles every 1-2 metres. Figure 7.12 Wettig solutio diffusig/floodig from eedles 7.23 Wet ijectio techiques must be operated at low pressure to esure that there is cotrolled ad uiform wettig of the ACM. Wettig takes place through capillary actio, but gravity will assist dowward peetratio. The wettig aget should be delivered at less tha 3.4 bar (50 psi) pressure (eedles with idepedet flow values will allow much better cotrol of fluid delivery). If higher pressure is used, it will force the wettig aget alog the paths of least resistace (eg through cracks ad fractures), leadig to itermittet wettig Where laggig is covered by a cemet-like layer (typically 6 mm thick), it may prove impossible to carry out ijectio without some preparatory work. Holes ca be carefully drilled i the cemet layer to allow access of the eedles. Drillig ca be a dusty procedure, so had drills or a low speed drill should be used. The use of itegral LEV ca achieve additioal cotrol, eg cowls, by shadow vacuumig or by drillig through a viscous medium, such as wallpaper paste or shavig foam Pipe ad vessel laggig may be covered i metal claddig, which will eed to be carefully removed to expose the laggig material before ijectio. It may be possible to carry this out with miimal disturbace to the uderlyig laggig. However, if the uderlyig laggig is likely to be damaged, airless sprays ad shadow vacuumig ca be used as a effective way of cotrollig fibre release, while the claddig is carefully removed. But, if the casig ca be drilled, full wettig should be carried out first Where the asbestos is damaged, ijectio may result i the material beig disturbed or breakig off. If the damage is relatively slight, this ca be avoided by the liberal use of sprayed wettig aget. If there is the potetial for the asbestos to fall off the pipework or vessel, it ca be wrapped i a impervious material such as polythee sheetig or clig film, taped ad the carefully ijected Take care whe there is a suspicio that the isulatio is damaged with iteral crackig, or there are materials of varyig porosity (eg where repairs have bee made). These ca result i areas of isulatio which are difficult to wet as the fluid takes the lie of least resistace. Where cracks are obvious, careful positioig of eedles ca esure the fluid reaches all areas. Where materials of variable porosity are evidet, varyig flow rates ca help. However, such problems may ot be obvious ad care should be take whe assessig the wetess of all the isulatio before removal. Where crackig is evidet, the isulatio should be wrapped to cotai the fluid (takig), eg where damage is below the ijectio height, wrappig will be eeded to esure full wettig. Remember that poor wettig ca be o better tha ucotrolled dry strippig, ad very high exposures will result 7.28 Uless the assessmet of the work shows that ijectio ca be carried out without disturbig the ACM (or debris associated with it), the eclosure should be completed ad smoke tested before carryig out ay preparatory work or ijectio. It is up to the licesed cotractor to prove that the method will esure cotrol, ad they must cosider the potetial for fibre release from problems such as overwetted asbestos fallig ad dryig out PPE icludig RPE should be used whe ijectig. See paragraphs 5.13 ad Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 121 of 181

121 Health ad Safety 7.30 Asbestos strippig workers should receive specific ad detailed traiig i the use of cotrolled strippig techiques, ad i the problems which may be ecoutered. Figure 7.13 Sprayig AIB Box 7.2 Cotrolled wettig usig ijectio: Key poits Esure eedles are correct for the ACM beig removed. Multi-poit systems should be used. Needles should usually be cm apart. Needles should be positioed so that wettig aget ca flow by capillary actio to all areas. Dry patches should be avoided. Low pressure ijectio (3.4 bar (50 psi)) should be used. Needles with itegral flow cotrol valves aid wettig. Do t over-wet, a doughy cosistecy is about right. Allow sufficiet wettig time. The equipmet will eed proper maiteace, testig ad checkig. Cotrolled wettig by sprayig 7.31 This techique ca be used for applicatios where ijectio is iappropriate, due to the physical ature of the material (eg too hard, usealed, etc). Sprayig will geerally wet the outer surface ad peetrate oly very thi porous materials. However, peetratio ad wettig ca be exteded by icreasig the umber of sprayigs ad allowig sufficiet soak time. Sprayig ca also be used to prepare surfaces before ijectio or removal. I summary, spray wettig ca be used i the followig applicatios: where the ACM is usealed ad porous, eg thi, sprayed coatigs; where the ACM is thi (less tha 1 cm thick); the preparatio of ACMs for removal, eg before the ijectio of damaged pipe laggig; the removal of AIB; asbestos textiles, icludig blakets ad rope seals; i cojuctio with glovebags; the removal of asbestos debris; work o asbestos cemet. This is dealt with i Workig with asbestos cemet The ature of the work beig carried out ad the volume of asbestos ivolved will determie the method of applicatio. For relatively small applicatios, such as the preparatio for ijectio or removal of AIB tiles (see Figure 7.13), operators ca use had-pressurised ad operated sprayig equipmet, similar to that used i gardeig. For more extesive applicatios, such as a usealed sprayed coatig, a low-pressure sprayig machie (less tha 3.4 bar (50 psi)) (eg airless spray system) or multi-poit tubes ca apply the wettig aget (see Figures 7.14 ad 7.15) The objective is to achieve thorough wettig of the ACM without disturbig it or producig a excessive quatity of ru-off The method of applicatio will vary depedig o the type of material. Examples iclude: Applicatio o usealed sprayed coatigs: sprayig should be carried out with care over a defied area, usig a wide-agled ad fie spray. The spray should be moved cotiuously back ad forward across the surface, avoidig disturbace. The umber of sprayig passes required will deped o the material. Take care durig the iitial wettig to avoid disturbace of fibres. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 122 of 181

122 Health ad Safety Figure 7.14 Multi-poit spray system Applicatio o upaited AIB boards ad tiles: if the boards or tiles are upaited o both surfaces, or a upaited surface is readily accessible, they should be first vacuumed clea to remove all deposits of dust ad debris ad the sprayed as described i the previous sub-paragraph. Oce they are thoroughly wet, they ca be carefully removed by uscrewig ad shadow vacuumig. A maget ca be used to locate the screws or ails if hidde by pait. Where the upaited surface is ot accessible, as is ofte the case with ceilig tiles, a sigle tile should be uscrewed usig shadow vacuumig, the the upaited top surface vacuumed ad sprayed. Oce access is available to the upper surfaces of the surroudig boards or tiles, they ca be vacuumed clea ad sprayed before removal, as outlied previously. Applicatio durig preparatory work for ijectio: as previously outlied, sprayig ca be used where the asbestos is slightly damaged ad ijectio may result i the material beig disturbed. Fibre release ca be miimised by the careful, but liberal use of sprayed wettig aget o the damaged areas durig ijectio. Applicatio o isulatig blakets, ropes, quilt, etc: wettig agets sprayed over all accessible surfaces ca be effective i miimisig fibre release durig removal (ijectio is ot appropriate for this type of material). Applicatio o hard surfaces (for example, Kees cemet ad bulldog coatigs): these coatigs may be too hard to iject, ad impermeable to the spray applicatio of wettig agets. Oe method of removal is by drillig uder cotrolled coditios followed by ijectio (see paragraph 7.24). Alteratively, this type of material ca be removed by careful crackig while applyig a fie spray. Oce cracks appear, the spray ca be directed alog them to aid wettig. The material should the be carefully removed without further breakage. Shadow vacuumig ca also be used i some circumstaces. Because this type of material will ot readily soak up the wettig aget, there is likely to be some spillig of the aget. Polythee sheetig or a suitable cotaier should be placed beeath the sprayig poit to collect ay spillage. Applicatio durig the use of glovebags: glovebags ca be used to remove sectios of pipe laggig. Although the asbestos is cotaied withi the glovebag, the use of sprayed wettig aget durig strippig ca achieve additioal cotrol. The lace of a garde-type spray ca be iserted through a purpose-desiged access poit ad ay gaps sealed. It is importat to avoid over-usig a wettig aget as this may put a added strai o the glovebag. Glovebags are discussed i more detail i paragraphs The time required for adequate soakig depeds o the type of ACM ad the purpose behid the applicatio of the wettig aget. For example if it is beig used to suppress fibre release durig preparatio for ijectio, oly a few miutes may be ecessary. Dese material may eed to be left to soak overight. Care should be take to avoid over-wettig as this ca result i some materials, such as AIB ceilig tiles, collapsig. Wet strippig i large idustrial premises 7.36 Substatial amouts of asbestos laggig ca be ecoutered i older, larger, heavier idustrial premises ad power statios. For example laggig i the boiler houses ca be 1 m or more thick. These types of situatios preset certai challeges i obtaiig effective cotrol. The boiler houses may be large ad complex with may passig pipes. Cosequetly, it may be difficult to obtai good eclosure. The size ad complexity ofte meas that a complete seal caot be obtaied ad that egative pressure will ot be achieved. The quatity ad thickess of the asbestos laggig ca make effective wettig difficult. Large quatities of asbestos waste ad slurry may eed to be hadled. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 123 of 181

123 Health ad Safety Figure 7.15 Sprayig thi coatig Whichever approach is take, every effort should be made to esure that the laggig is as uiformly wetted as possible before strippig. The size of the job should ot be used as a reaso for reducig the level of cotrol 7.37 Where the buildig is redudat ad ready for demolitio, the relatively few people preset i adjacet areas makes the job slightly easier. The buildig ca be sealed off (i sectios if appropriate) ad local smoke testig carried out. This the allows the use of cotrolled wet strippig techiques, which ca be sufficiet to cotrol exposure ad the spread of asbestos fibres. Leak air samplig ca be used to cofirm that cotrol is adequate Where there are people workig i adjacet areas or it is difficult to achieve a adequate seal, additioal precautios may be ecessary. Smaller eclosures, withi the mai eclosure, ca be built aroud the items to be stripped, ad the put uder egative pressure to provide a additioal barrier to the mai eclosure Whichever approach is take, every effort should be made to esure that the laggig is as uiformly wetted as possible before strippig. The size of the job should ot be used as a reaso for reducig the level of cotrol. The large quatity of asbestos which eeds to be removed ca result i very high exposures, if cotrolled strippig techiques are ot employed. The followig techique ca be used: The thickess of the material will ofte prevet wettig beig achieved i oe attempt. Wettig should be udertake progressively. After ay preparatio work (eg removig ay metal claddig), the laggig ca be ijected usig the logest eedles available, or liberally sprayed with a wettig aget, ad allowed to soak. Wettig aget will oly permeate the outer layer of the laggig. Oce the outer material is wetted, it should be carefully removed util a reductio i the degree of wettig is oticed. The uderlyig laggig ca the be ijected or sprayed agai, ad the process repeated. Over time eve the thickest laggig ca be wetted i this way. The progressive removal of thick laggig will require more plaig ad orgaisatio. Differet areas should be able to be worked o simultaeously. Oe group of workers ca wet a area of laggig, ad a secod group ca subsequetly strip the material while the first group prepares a ew area. This system should maximise the speed of the work. Close supervisio is required to esure the correct use of cotrolled strippig techiques Some problems associated with wet strippig techiques 7.40 Wet strippig is ot appropriate i some circumstaces, because its use may itroduce additioal hazards, eg: i the presece of live electrical equipmet that caot be isolated or effectively sealed from water, although dielectric fluids ca be used; where there is a uavoidable risk of cotact betwee water ad chemicals which may geerate toxic or fire risks There are also situatios where the use of wettig agets ca cause problems, but these should ot prevet the use of wet strippig techiques, eg: where wet work would lead to the discolouratio of the fabric of the buildig, particularly where dyes are added to the wettig aget. The use of polythee sheetig o susceptible surfaces ca prevet this; Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 124 of 181

124 Health ad Safety Figure 7.16 Wrap-ad-cut where wettig agets may cause ski problems. The maufacturer s or supplier s material safety data sheet should be cosulted o the precautios to take; where a slip hazard may be itroduced by spillage of the wettig solutio. This ca be reduced by placig drip trays or troughs uder the area beig treated, but these ca be difficult to positio to adequately collect the leaks. Alteratively, o-slip floorig could be used (ad disposed of as asbestos waste). Ay spills should be removed; if there are freezig weather coditios. Wettig agets ca be treated to allow for this. Liquids are also available that work at up to 240 o C, although hot work should be avoided. Dry strippig with cotrol at source 7.42 There may be some situatios where it is ot possible to use wet strippig techiques. I these circumstaces, other methods should be used to cotrol asbestos at source. Ideed, alterative techiques may be preferable i some cases. It is also worth otig that vetilated eclosures do ot provide cotrol at source. They do ot regulate fibre release at the poit of removal. Their primary purpose is to reduce the spread of asbestos. Wrap-ad-cut 7.43 I some circumstaces it may be more appropriate to use the wrap-adcut method (see Figure 7.16) rather tha cotrolled wet strippig, eg the removal of redudat pipework ad vessels. Wrap-ad-cut is effective, as it elimiates the eed for wholesale disturbace of the laggig. Cosequetly, the potetial for fibre geeratio is much reduced. Wrap-ad-cut is particularly suitable for pipework of small diameter (150 mm or less). If the laggig is damaged, wrappig ad cuttig ca disturb ad release fibres. Additioal precautios will therefore be required (see paragraph 7.47). The RA should also cosider maual hadlig risks durig the removal of pipework/vessels This techique requires the lagged pipework or vessels to be securely wrapped i polythee sheetig before beig cut out ad disposed of as asbestos waste. The eed for additioal precautios such as eclosures, NPUs etc, should be determied i the assessmet of work. Wrap-ad-cut does ot completely elimiate asbestos disturbace or release ad, i may cases, fibre release will occur, eg i preparatio work, where small sectios of laggig have to be removed to allow cuttig of the exposed pipework, or from disturbace of damaged areas of laggig. I geeral terms, eclosures are required whe the wrap-ad-cut work is iside buildigs, but may ot be ecessary whe the work is exteral ad remote. Therefore, full cosideratio eeds to be give o where wrap-adcut ca be used ad o the eed for a eclosure. Due to the potetial for fibre release, eclosures will be likely i most cases. Chapter 6 provides further guidace o eclosure desig ad costructio Wrap-ad-cut is oly suitable for lagged pipework or plat i certai circumstaces: the items are redudat or are to be replaced; the items are maageable i size; the cotets of the items have bee removed; the items have bee cleaed, where ecessary, to remove residual hazardous materials It is importat to oly use this techique o maageable items. The hadlig of large or awkwardly shaped items of plat ca result i ijury or the rippig of the polythee sheetig. Also, it is worth otig that certai disposal sites may ot accept wrapped items with large voids i them, eg a large calorifier. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 125 of 181

125 Health ad Safety 7.47 The laggig should geerally be i soud coditio. If it is damaged, wrappig ad cuttig ca disturb ad release fibres. Additioal precautios will therefore be required. The followig methods, i isolatio or combiatio, should be used to miimise fibre release. The laggig ca be carefully treated with a peetratig ecapsulat which will bid the fibres together. If the laggig is badly damaged, the possibility of fibre release durig applicatio will also eed to be cosidered. The laggig ca be wetted usig ijectio or sprayig with a wettig aget. Small areas of damage, adjacet to the area to be wrapped ad cut, ca be sealed with polythee sheetig ad tape, ad the worked o usig localised sprayig or shadow vacuumig. Where there are several areas of damage alog a legth of pipework, the etire ru ca be dampeed usig sprays ad wrapped i polythee sheetig. Wrapped items too large to pass through the baglock should remai i the work area util the four-stage clearace has bee completed ad the eclosure removed. The items will be subject to the four-stage clearace process The pipework or plat should be divided off ito maageable sectios. For example pipework should be examied for suitable breaks i the laggig where flages could be ubolted or pipe hagers removed, or the bare pipe cut, but without disturbig the asbestos. Where such breaks do ot occur aturally, or if they are ot at coveiet positios, short sectios of laggig will have to be removed. The size of the sectios will also eed to take accout of the baglock exit arragemets ad the dimesios of the skip. Removal of the asbestos will require cotrol at source. The wet ijectio techique ca be used (see paragraphs ). Glovebag systems ca also be useful for strippig short sectios of pipework. Details are give i paragraphs Take care to esure sufficiet laggig is removed to allow cuttig/burig to take place, without disturbig the remaiig asbestos. Oce the pipe is ready for dividig or cuttig, the laggig should be wrapped with heavy-duty polythee ad the eds of the sectios securely taped or otherwise sealed. The items should be labelled Pipework ca be cut usig a umber of methods. Hacksaws ca be used for very small diameter pipes. Abrasive cut-off wheels ad flame-cuttig techiques ca be used o larger diameter pipework. I such situatios, take care to avoid damagig the wrapped eds of the laggig. At least cm of exposed pipework is required to reduce this risk. Where gridig wheels or flame cuttig are used, the pipework should be wrapped i flame-retardat polythee sheetig (care should be take whe usig oxyacetylee or oxypropae cutters, as this sheetig is ot resistat to these). Vibratio from the use of tools may also loose asbestos o the remaiig pipework. The wrapped sectios of pipework should be carefully supported durig cuttig ad/or uboltig, eg by sheet metal bads at slig attachmet poits. The pipework sectios should be trasferred to the skip as soo as reasoably practicable. Full PPE (icludig RPE) must be wor while this method of work is i use. Glovebags 7.50 There are a umber of proprietary glovebags, made of strog clear plastic materials, that are desiged to allow strippig activities iside the bag by exteral operators usig itegral plastic gloves. The top part of a glovebag fits aroud the item to be stripped while the bottom part acts as storage for tools ad asbestos waste. There are also versios available for removig ceilig tiles ad sectios of sprayed asbestos coatig. Figures show glovebags beig used to remove a sprayed coatig iside a traditioal eclosure. It is importat to ote, however, that glovebags have certai drawbacks which prevet them from substitutig for eclosures i may applicatios. The mai cocer is that there is Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 126 of 181

126 Health ad Safety Figure 7.17 A sprayed asbestos coatig beig removed usig a specialised glovebag withi a traditioal eclosure (the dark area is where the asbestos has bee removed) o way to prevet asbestos spreadig if there is a bag failure, eg through puctures or from a seal failure Commercially available glovebags vary i stregth of material (resistace to tears ad puctures) ad i desig detail. Where reasoably practicable, the followig desig features should be cosidered whe purchasig glovebags, to esure that they ca be used safely: they should be made from a material which does ot tear; they should have shoulders of sufficiet dimesio to allow the glovebag to be effectively sealed to the pipe or vessel; they should have iteral zips to allow the waste to be isolated at the bottom. This allows the top of the bag to be purged o completio of the work, miimisig the release of fibres whe the bag is removed; they should have a etry port for isertig a spray ozzle to wet the asbestos or a vacuum cleaer ozzle to create egative pressure ad so purge the top of the bag o completio of the work. Figure 7.18 A glovebag desiged for the removal of sprayed asbestos coatigs. Note the gloveports, waste chute ad vacuum ozzle used for cleaig ad providig slight egative pressure Maufacturers should be cosulted about the rage ad specificatio of bags which are available. They should help select the most appropriate desig for the plaed work ad provide iformatio o how to use them safely Eclosures will usually be eeded eve whe glovebags are beig used. Glovebags ca oly be used without a eclosure where the assessmet shows miimal risks to other people if the glovebag leaks or fails. This may be the case where the site is remote from other workers, eg rus of ope-air pipework i a chemical works where the prevailig weather coditios could make buildig ad maitaiig a eclosure impractical. However, you should ote that there is still the potetial for relatively low cocetratios of fibre to leak out from the glovebag durig use, especially through small holes. Cosequetly, the work area still eeds to be segregated. Glovebags should ot be used i occupied areas without additioal precautios, such as eclosures ad NPUs Where it is plaed to use glovebags, the assessmet carried out uder regulatio 6 of CAWR eeds to address the followig requiremets: specific traiig is eeded i the use of glovebags; the work area is well-defied; moveable items such as furiture are removed; ledges ad other surfaces are covered i polythee sheetig; the glovebag should completely cover the sectio of pipe or other structure beig worked o; asbestos debris o earby surfaces ca be dealt with safely; the glovebag is smoke-tested, eg by the use of a smoke tube; the operators wear suitable PPE, as determied by the assessmet; where reasoably practicable, the work is carried out with the glovebag uder slight egative pressure; wet strippig techiques, usig wettig agets, are applied whe reasoably practicable; the glovebag is oly used oce ad ot reused; the glovebag is ot moved, ie slid alog pipes; the glovebag is ot used for jobs requirig more tha two glovebags, uless the assessmet shows that this is safe for the job i had; the glovebag eeds two operators to use it safely; cotigecy plas, ad equipmet for spillages ad clea-up, are i place. Where the assessmet shows that these requiremets caot be met, the use of glovebags is ot appropriate. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 127 of 181

127 Health ad Safety 7.54 A variety of tools ca be used iside the glovebag. A safe system of removig the tools from the glovebag, without compromisig the glovebag s itegrity, should be draw up. For example, the tools ca be held i oe had withi the glove of the glovebag, which is the pulled out. The glove ca the be twisted to eclose the tools i a pouch. The twisted poit ca the be sealed at two poits several cetimetres apart. A cut ca the be made betwee the two poits, leavig the tools i the glove ad the elbow or shoulder of the glove sealed to prevet ay escape of fibres. The glove pouch ca be placed i the ext glovebag for use or i a cotaier of water for cleaig There is wider scope for such bags as a supplemetary measure iside eclosures. Where, i exceptioal circumstaces, cotrolled wet strippig caot be used, the spread of dust ca be largely elimiated by carryig out all the primary removal usig glovebags withi the eclosure. They may also have a role i fial cleaig, where there are residues which prove hard to remove. The glovebag versios for overhead removal of ceilig tiles ad sprayed asbestos coatigs are also likely to be useful. Direct removal by vacuum systems 7.56 Direct vacuum removal uses a combiatio of removig ad vacuumig away asbestos material at source, by purpose-desiged vacuum equipmet. However, this method does ot remove the eed for a eclosure ad other precautios. It is oe method of removig loose asbestos which has bee blow i dry as thermal or oise isulatio, ad where wettig could cause the asbestos to bod to the uderlyig surface Waste asbestos is draw from the strippig positio to a remote collectio uit by meas of a vacuum trasfer duct. This has the advatage that it cosiderably reduces the maual hadlig of waste, thereby savig time ad expese, especially o large-scale jobs. Also, if adequate precautios are take, the overall exposure is reduced Where this type of system is adopted, the assessmet ad POW should clearly idetify the precautios to use ad the procedures to follow i the evet of problems such as blocked ductig, etc By its ature, this techique caot be carried out with the asbestos wet. However, it ca provide a equivalet level of cotrol to that provided by cotrolled wet strippig, if the equipmet is well-maitaied ad operated. Ay residual material that remais after vacuumig ca be wetted with a sprayed wettig aget, ad the removed The techique has the disadvatage that a rapidly movig stream of dry asbestos material has to be trasported, the asbestos material isolated ad bagged. If the baggig uit is remote from the removal eclosure, it should be housed i a separate vetilated eclosure at egative pressure to prevet leaks, ad treated as part of the strippig operatio. Exhaust air should be filtered to a high stadard before discharge (ie HEPA filtratio). Sice the waste material from the filters is also dry, rigorous precautios are required durig disposal Because the baggig uit is hadlig quatities of dry loose asbestos movig at speed, there is the potetial for high exposures if a leak occurs. Cosequetly, the assessmet of the work uder regulatio 6 of CAWR should also address work i the eclosure cotaiig the baggig uit. This eclosure ormally eeds to be costructed to the same stadard as the strippig eclosure; it should be smoke-tested ad have egative pressure applied. The umber of workers i the eclosure, ad the time spet i there, should be kept to a miimum. They should be issued with suitable PPE ad RPE, as determied by the Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 128 of 181

128 Health ad Safety assessmet. This protective equipmet will ormally be of the same high stadard as issued to the workers i the strippig eclosure. They should also follow the same decotamiatio procedures. Oce the work is complete ad the eclosure cleaed, it will be icluded i the four-stage clearace procedure (see paragraphs ) If the trasfer ductig becomes blocked, it should be securely capped at both eds ad draw ito the strippig eclosure, where it ca be opeed ad cleared. Cosideratio ad care are required whe cappig the ed ext to the vacuum equipmet. It is importat that where the ductig passes through the wall of the eclosure, ay opeig is immediately sealed. Where this is the case, work should be stopped ad sufficiet time allowed for the eclosure to be purged before drawig the ductig i. Ehaced air maagemet 7.63 Ehaced air maagemet ca be used for ay type of strippig work. It is particularly helpful whe cotrolled wettig or other cotrolled strippig techiques caot be used. Because strippig may be carried out dry, with the potetial for high exposures, it is very importat to carefully pla ad closely moitor the job. Oly compaies ad idividuals who have had specific traiig should use the techique With the techique, air is itroduced by a blower uit close to the area of work ad the the air is extracted at a higher rate to maitai egative pressure. The blower should be fitted with a maometer to detect chages i the egative pressure. If the egative pressure falls below a pre-determied level, the blower should automatically shut off ad a i-built valve close, so that the pressure i the eclosure, relative to outside, caot become positive To effectively reduce the exposure i the strippig area, the blower ad egative pressure outlet poits should be located close to the active work area ad opposite each other, to draw the cotamiated air away from the frot of the worker. Push-pull of air idepedet of the eclosure egative pressure will improve cotrol. However, the blower should ot be located so close that it actively disperses the asbestos fibres, so makig capture by the exhaust difficult. If the blower ad egative pressure ilet poits are too far from the active work area or located icorrectly, cotrol of exposure will ot be achieved. As the work progresses, the blower ad egative pressure ilet poits will eed to be repositioed to esure optimum efficiecy. The workers should always try to be located to the side of the blower uit Because this is a complex system to operate ad requires costat moitorig, it is maily applicable whe there are problems usig other cotrolled strippig techiques. Where possible, the cotrolled strippig techiques previously described should be the first choice. Adoptig ehaced air maagemet does ot exclude the use of other cotrolled strippig techiques Where other cotrolled techiques are used but the assessmet idicates that high exposures may still occur, ehaced air maagemet ca be oe way of providig additioal cotrol. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 129 of 181

129 Health ad Safety Asbestos strippig situatios to avoid Ucotrolled dry strippig 7.68 The term ucotrolled dry strippig is applied to strippig ACM i its dry state withi a eclosure, but without ay direct cotrols to reduce exposure. Airbore asbestos fibre cocetratios i these situatios will be excessively high (up to f/ml for sprayed coatigs) ad will result i sigificat asbestos exposure eve whe strippers are wearig their ormal high performace RPE. The RPE is uable to provide adequate protectio for these fibre levels. I additio worker exposure will ot be reduced to ay extet through the air extractio i the eclosure. Ucotrolled dry strippig is uacceptable ad uecessary. It must ever take place. Some form of cotrol is always available whether it is direct cotrol at source (eg wet strippig or shadow vacuumig) or other specialised techiques, such as glovebags or ehaced air maagemet. High-pressure water jettig 7.69 High-pressure water jettig has bee used to remove asbestos from cocrete floors, beams, ad colums. It is a highly specialised techique which removes ACMs usig water jets ormally operatig at pressures of about 138 bar (2000 psi) or above. This techique has a umber of disadvatages, icludig: asbestos fibres are physically uable to absorb the water; a vast amout of virtually umaageable slurry cotaiig free asbestos fibres is produced; the slurry ca be difficult to cotai which leads to the spread of asbestos; the jet ca cause serious ijury; a mist of fie water droplets is formed which will wet the filters i RPE. This may affect the protectio provided by the RPE, eg through icreased breathig resistace or decreased airflow High-pressure water jettig is ot cotrolled wet strippig, ad it should oly be used i exceptioal circumstaces ad with specialist advice. Power tools 7.71 Power tools have the potetial to geerate extremely high levels of asbestos fibres. There are umerous types of tools icludig drills, chisels, screwdrivers, saders ad disc cutters/agle-griders. Where possible, their use o ACMs should be avoided ad preferece give to maual equipmet, as it geerally produces much lower dust levels. However, it is recogised that it may be ecessary to use power tools i some circumstaces. I these situatios, the emphasis should still be o miimisig fibre release. The tools should be used at their lowest possible settig ad i cojuctio with other cotrol measures, such as shadow vacuumig ad dust suppressio materials (eg foams ad pastes). I additio there may be occasios where more aggressive removal techiques are required, eg to remove residual mior amouts of textured coatigs. Dust suppressio (eg airless sprays) should be employed. Disc cutters ad saders should ot be used to cut through or remove ACMs. Hot workig 7.72 The most likely source of heat will be from hot plat (eg boilers, calorifiers, pipework etc) either beig worked o directly or located earby. However, hot eviromets may arise from other sources, particularly due to weather coditios. High air temperatures ad/or situatios where there is direct sulight (eg exposed eclosures) ca cause elevated thermal coditios Workig i hot coditios ca cause a umber of ill health effects ragig i severity, but icludig acute ad potetially fatal coditios such as heat stroke. The rage of effects is summarised i Box 7.3. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 130 of 181

130 Health ad Safety 7.74 Hot workig ad asbestos removal are almost icompatible activities. There are fudametal issues which make asbestos ad hot workig extremely difficult to maage ad cotrol. I particular, the various precautios eeded to protect workers from exposure to asbestos dust ad to prevet its spread ca result i a greatly icreased thermal health risk. For example: PPE, RPE ad eclosures all serve to prevet ad restrict heat dissipatio, ad the PPE ad RPE icreases sweatig ad ihibits body coolig. Also, the implemetatio of a successful heat stress cotrol regime (eg work/rest breaks, access to driks etc) is impeded i asbestos eclosures, due to the complex etry ad exit/decotamiatio procedures I additio to the heat stress issues, hot work ca also lead to deterioratio i asbestos cotrol. For example: wettig of ACMs, particularly isulatio o hot pipes, is more difficult to obtai; the itegrity of the eclosure ca be difficult to maitai as high temperatures ad radiat heat softe polythee sheetig ad weake joits ad seams; ad i the evet of a failure i the eclosure, strog covective currets ca escape causig sigificat cotamiatio of the surroudig area Therefore, hot work with asbestos is to be avoided where possible. All aveues should be explored to remove the heat source. Wherever possible hot plat should be shut dow or tured off ad allowed to cool before asbestos removal work begis. I may cases cotractors ad their cliets have foud that this is the quickest ad most cost-effective way of dealig with the potetial heat stress problems which ca arise whe asbestos removal work is attempted o hot plat Hot work will oly be permittable i exceptioal ad fully justifiable circumstaces ad, as it must be otified o the FOD ASB5 form (see Appedix 3.1), it is likely to be challeged durig otificatio. Work will oly be allowed after a adequate RA has bee performed (see paragraph 7.78) ad where the thermal risks have bee miimised i a well-plaed ad properly desiged cotrol regime (see paragraph 7.80). Where hot work is beig cosidered, cotractors may eed to take specialised advice from a occupatioal hygieist or other cosultat. Cotractors may also wish to discuss the matter with the eforcig authority before proceedig The RA will eed to be thorough ad comprehesive. It will eed to cover all the factors which affect heat stress. These iclude: workig eviromet ad coditios: air temperature, radiat heat, humidity, air movemet, umber/extet/locatio of heat sources, size/shape of premises etc; work rate: physical ature of the job; worker/persoal factors: age, fitess, health status etc Every effort should be made to prevet the eed for hot workig. Work should be scheduled to be doe durig plat shutdow or aual holiday or i the eveig or overight whe hot coditios are due to the climate. Where work arises at short otice through icidets or emergecies, the short-term remedial actio should be take as far as possible (eg by makig temporary repairs or ecapsulatio) util the work ca be icorporated ito a programmed plat shutdow ad carried out with the plat cold Where hot work is uavoidable the the thermal risks should be miimised through a well-plaed ad properly desiged regime which should be based o the followig: Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 131 of 181

131 Health ad Safety miimisig heat sources: stoppig all boilers ad other process plat or equipmet operatig as far as possible ad operatig others at miimum temperatures, eg where there are two boilers, switch oe off ad operate the other at the lowest settig ad the reverse the arragemet; miimisig heat spread: through the use of temporary isulatio (sacrificial laggig) to cover hot surfaces as they are stripped of existig isulatio ad through shieldig radiat surfaces with low emissivity material or erectio of radiat heat barriers; effective air maagemet i the eclosure: employmet of higher vetilatio rates; removal of air at high level; locatio of the supply ad extract vets to esure a positive rate of air chage at the workig positio; positive coolig i the eclosure: by drawig make-up from outside the heataffected area or by the use of a air coditioig uit; localised coolig: the use of free-stadig fas withi the eclosure to provide local air movemet at the workig positio (Note: care must be take to avoid excessive air currets i the eclosure as they could cause disturbace of dust ad could adversely affect the itegrity of the eclosure); regulatig the legth of exposure through job rotatio: it may be possible to rotate workers so that idividual time spet i the hot area is miimised; implemetig periodic rest breaks ad rest facilities i cooler coditios (the work/rest ratio would deped o the coditios); prevetig dehydratio: providig cool water i the rest facility ad ecouragig workers to drik it i small amouts before work, durig breaks ad after work; providig traiig: coverig the risks of heat stress associated with the work, symptoms to look out for, safe workig practices ad emergecy procedures; providig adequate supervisio: particular attetio should be paid to esure that the cotrol regime is implemeted ad that it cotiues to operate satisfactorily for the duratio of the work. Work/rest regimes should be strictly eforced; moitorig the thermal coditios ad the health of workers: advice should be sought from occupatioal health professioals o a health moitorig regime. Box 7.3: Health effects from workig at high temperatures Burs: caused by cotact with hot surfaces or by radiat heat. Superficial effects: swellig of feet ad akles, heat rash. Faitig: due to a reductio i blood pressure to the brai. This ca be serious if the perso is held upright or ijured i a fall. Muscle cramps, ausea, vomitig: due to salt depletio caused by excessive sweatig. Heat exhaustio: caused by dehydratio due to excessive loss of sweat. Symptoms iclude: fatigue, giddiess, ausea, headache, breathig difficulties, extreme thirst, muscle cramps. Heat stroke: a acute ad potetially fatal coditio caused by a rise i body core temperature above 40 o C. The coditio may occur suddely with o warig or may be preceded by headache, dizziess, cofusio, faitess, restlessess or vomitig. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 132 of 181

132 Health ad Safety Site cleaig ad preparatio for four-stage clearace Figure 7.19 A Type H vacuum cleaer 7.81 Regulatio 16 of CAWR places a duty to esure that the work areas ad work equipmet are kept i a clea state ad are thoroughly cleaed. Employers should therefore use work methods ad equipmet which prevet or miimise the build-up of asbestos debris ad waste o floors ad surfaces i the work area. Where possible, the ACM should be placed directly ito waste bags as it is removed. This is the most efficiet arragemet ad elimiates extra hadlig. I other situatios employers must make sure that ay asbestos dust ad debris is cleaed up ad removed regularly to prevet it accumulatig ad dryig out where wet removal techiques have bee used. There should be frequet cleaig throughout the work period ad a clea at the ed of each shift. Cotrolled wettig (eg usig airless or light sprays) should be used to keep residues damp, particularly before baggig Cleaig methods should ot create dust. Brushes or brooms should ot be used for cleaig. Dust ad debris should be dampeed dow as ecessary before cleaig. Waste should be cleaed up usig a combiatio of methods. Waste should be vacuumed up as far as possible. Type H vacuum cleaers which are desiged to the British Stadard (BS 5415) 31 (the vacuumig specificatio for hazardous dusts) are the type which should be used with asbestos (but ote paragraph 7.83). This equipmet is fitted with a HEPA filter ad is desiged for dust-free disposal. Type H vacuum cleaers come with a rage of attachmets (brushes, arrow ad broad slots) which allow their use o may types of surfaces ad materials. Domestic or geeral purpose vacuum cleaers do ot meet the required specificatio ad should ot be used. Pieces of debris ca be cleaed up usig rakes ad shovels. Damp clothes ad wipes should be used for additioal cleaig of surfaces The type H vacuum cleaer should ot be used o very wet material. Excessive liquid will damage the HEPA filter. Such material should be collected usig rakes ad shovels. However there may be occasios where there is a sigificat spillage of liquid or water. I these situatios vacuum cleaers suitable for wet use ca be employed, but oly i a strictly cotrolled matter. The vacuum cleaer will eed immediate cleaig ad decotamiatio after use. I additio, arragemets should be made for safe removal ad disposal of the filter Oce the removal of the asbestos has bee completed ad all the waste ad other o-essetial items (tools, equipmet, materials, etc) have bee removed, the eclosure (ie work area) icludig airlocks ad baglocks, is ready for the fial clea ad preparatio for the four-stage clearace procedure. At this poit, the pre-filters o the air extractio equipmet should be replaced with ew filters. The whole work area icludig all surfaces ad items should be thoroughly cleaed usig dustless methods. Fie dust will have settled or become attached to every possible surface i the work area. This icludes floors, walls, all sides of sheeted items, high-level surfaces, pipes, ductwork, cables, udersides of items (pipes, ledges), behid ad below plat, equipmet ad other furishigs ad fittigs (this list is ot exhaustive). Every surface should be cleaed. Complete cleaig will be more easily achieved if it is carried out i a methodical ad systematic maer. The type H vacuum cleaer should be used for the iitial clea, with appropriate use made of the differet attachmets. The brush head attachmet is particularly useful for ueve ad rouded surfaces. Surfaces should the be wiped as ecessary with damp cloths or wipes to esure all fie settled dust has bee removed At this poit sheetig or boardig which has bee used to protect ay equipmet, plat or other items or to protect surfaces, icludig sacrificial floorig, should be removed. It is acceptable, ideed sesible, to spray this sheetig with a adhesive sealat, eg PVA, before removal to reduce the potetial for release Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 133 of 181

133 Health ad Safety of residual fie settled dust. However, the use of the spray must be strictly limited to this sheetig ad extreme care should be take to prevet the spread of sealat oto other surfaces which would ihibit the issuig of the certificate of reoccupatio. After removal of the protective sheetig, the uderlyig surfaces should be checked for ay dust or debris which may have peetrated or settled o to them. The surfaces should be cleaed as appropriate Fially the cotractor should carry out a thorough visual ispectio to esure that there has bee complete removal of the ACM as plaed ad that the work area has bee properly cleaed of visible debris ad fie settled dust. All oessetial items should be removed from the work area. The oly remaiig items should be ay wrapped waste that could ot be removed through the baglock system, a type H vacuum cleaer ad wipes ad waste bags which may be ecessary for additioal cleaig as directed by the aalyst ad ay equipmet required by the aalyst to perform the four-stage clearace procedure (eg ladders). A type H vacuum cleaer ad buckets for decotamiatio should also remai i or aroud the airlock. Eough time should the be left to allow the work area to completely dry before the four-stage clearace procedure is carried out. Disposal of asbestos waste What is asbestos waste? 7.87 CAWR defies asbestos waste as beig ay amphibole or chrysotile product that has bee removed from its origial place of use. Therefore ay asbestos product or material that has bee removed from its origial locatio should be treated as asbestos waste. This icludes debris, dust ad associated rubble ad other mixtures where asbestos products are preset. I Eglad ad Wales, the revised waste regulatios 20 classify asbestos waste as hazardous waste. I Scotlad, asbestos waste is referred to as special waste ad is defied i practice as >0.1% asbestos (w/w). 21 If there is ay doubt about about the presece of asbestos i waste, it should always be treated as hazardous or special waste Asbestos samples are ot cosidered to be hazardous or special waste by the Eviromet Agecy (EA) or the Scottish Eviromet Protectio Agecy (SEPA) util there is a itetio to discard them. Samples should still be labelled i accordace with Schedule 2 of CAWR (see paragraph 7.91) There are various other items that should be treated as asbestos waste. These iclude all eclosure buildig materials (such as timber ad sheetig) ad ay items that have bee preset (ad uprotected) iside cotamiated areas ad caot or will ot be cleaed (icludig tools ad equipmet). Asbestos waste items also iclude all disposable PPE used i the eclosure, trasit ad waste routes ad i the hygiee uit. It also icludes ay disposable or discarded items used i cleaig ad decotamiatio such as cloths, wipes ad towels. Waste water from the buckets i airlocks should be disposed of through the filtered draiage system i the shower of the hygiee uit I Eglad ad Wales, premises that geerate >200 kg of hazardous waste i a 12 moth period have to be registered with the EA. This should be checked before work starts. Where <200 kg of hazardous waste is geerated from each premises, cotractors ca register as a mobile service. Cotractors may also eed to apply for a waste processig licece ( mobile plat licece ) from the relevat eviromet agecy (EA or SEPA) if removig ACMs from cotamiated lad. I additio the EA or SEPA should be cotacted for advice if it is iteded to reuse demolitio rubble that is cotamiated with ACMs. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 134 of 181

134 Health ad Safety Box 7.4 UN-approved asbestos waste packagig It is the cosigor s duty to esure that dagerous substaces are properly packaged ad labelled. UN-approved packages have bee subjected to tests to esure their suitability to withstad the hadlig associated with road trasport. They will usually eed to be used i double layers (eg red bag iside clear bag) ad have specified meas of closure (eg by PVC tape or swa eckig ad tapig). These details should be obtaied from the supplier. Typically, approval details will be marked i the followig way: u 5H4/Yx/S/**/GB/abcd 5H4 is the code for plastic film bags Y idicates suitability for packig group II ad III substaces (covers both relevat UN umbers) x represets the maximum weight of cotets i kg S meas use for solids oly ** last digits of year of maufacture GB is the coutry of certificatio (could be aother coutry. Symbols match those for cars) abcd represets the certificate umber The bags should also be marked with the asbestos symbol (see Appedix 7.1) ad the CDG hazard placard show i Figure Box 7.5 Exemptios to the requiremet for UN packagig Special Exemptio 168 This exemptio applies whe asbestos fibres are either boded or cotaied i such a way that o fibres ca become airbore i trasit, amely: whole asbestos cemet sheets that are trasported i a sealed skip; articles with a asbestos compoet that caot create airbore fibres i trasit, eg a sealed fuse box cotaiig asbestos rope or machiery with a sealed gasket; boded materials such as bitumious floor tiles cotaiig asbestos. The limited quatity (LQ) exemptios There are also specific exemptios from UN packagig requiremets for small quatities of asbestos (less tha1 kg amphibole ad less tha 6 kg chrysotile). The exemptios allow asbestos to be carried i alterative fit for purpose packagig. How to package ad label waste 7.91 Asbestos waste is subject to labellig ad packagig requiremets i accordace with Schedule 2 of CAWR ad the Carriage of Dagerous Goods ad Use of Trasportable Pressure Equipmet Regulatios 2004 (CDG). 32 CAWR requires asbestos items to be cotaied i sealed cotaiers which should bear the asbestos warig label, show i Appedix 7.1. I additio, CDG requires all forms of asbestos to be cotaied i UN-approved packagig (as detailed i Box 7.4) uless they fall withi the exemptios listed i Box 7.5. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 135 of 181

135 Health ad Safety Figure 7.20 UN-approved bags 7.92 I most cases, asbestos waste from licesed removal work will ot qualify for the exemptios from CDG requiremets. Therefore the waste should be double bagged usig UN-approved packagig ad placed i a sealed skip, freight cotaier or locked vehicle. Stadard practice is to use red ier bags ad clear outer bags. The red bag cotais the asbestos warig label. Bags should ot be over-filled or cotai sharp objects which may pierce the material. Approved packagig is available for up to 2 toes i capacity The followig protocol should be followed for baggig (or wrappig): esure that the waste material has bee dampeed dow (i the case of AIB) or is wet (a doughy cosistecy for laggig materials); use waste bags directly beeath the work, ad cotaimet sheets where these do ot create other hazards; esure that there are sufficiet suitable UN-approved bags ad/or polythee sheetig ad meas to seal the packages before work starts (see Figure 7.20); place the waste carefully ito a red waste bag ad seal with strog tape. Wipe dow the red bag, place iside a clear asbestos waste bag ad seal ad clea i the same maer; if wrappig a large object which caot fit ito the asbestos waste bags, esure that the item is wrapped i two layers of strog polythee ad that a red asbestos waste bag or prited label (with the same iformatio as the bag) is securely attached to the package to idicate that it is asbestos waste. The item must the be placed i a lockable skip or freight cotaier; esure that the specific waste decotamiatio procedures are followed. The procedures for cleaig waste bags or other wrapped waste are described i Box 7.6; esure that the waste bags are trasported to the skip or vehicle via the dedicated waste route; do ot take waste packages through the hygiee facilities; make sure that your emergecy procedures iclude a system for clearig up ay spillages that occur whe a waste bag bursts or becomes puctured either o site or i trasit; asbestos-cotamiated rubble or soil should ot be carried loose i a skip. This type of waste should be placed i large UN-approved bags (eg 2-toe) ad the placed i a lockable skip or freight cotaier. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 136 of 181

136 Health ad Safety Box 7.6: Procedures for removig asbestos waste from the eclosure (see also Figure 6.8) Waste bags (ad wrapped items) must be decotamiated before they are removed from the eclosure. Decotamiatio will take place i the baglock system which forms part of the eclosure. I most situatios (trasitig ad o-trasitig), it should be performed i a three-stage baglock. The procedure should be as follows: the sealed waste bag (usually red ad labelled) should be placed i the ier stage of the three-stage baglock; the bag should be wiped dow ad trasferred ito the middle stage of the baglock; the bag should be placed i a secod bag (usually trasparet), sealed ad wiped dow; the double-bagged waste should be placed i the outer stage of the threestage baglock; the waste should be collected from the outer stage by the outside worker ad trasferred to the waste skip. Appropriate PPE should be wor by the outside worker (see paragraph 5.13). Where there is isufficiet space for a dedicate three-stage baglock, the decotamiatio should be carried out i the alterative baglock arragemet. The desig of the baglock will deped o the circumstaces, eg trasitig, otrasitig. Details are give i paragraph Trasfer of waste to sealed skip or vehicle 7.94 Bags should ot be overfilled. Oce the waste packages are outside the baglock they should ot be left uatteded. All such waste should be kept secure. The best way to esure this is to have a worker permaetly based o the outside of the eclosure who does ot eed to decotamiate to take the waste to the skip or vehicle used for disposal. The skip or trasport vehicle should be as close as possible to the eclosure to reduce the risk of the spread of cotamiatio ad the potetial for musculoskeletal ijuries. The followig key poits should be observed i relatio to this part of the process: the outside worker should wear appropriate PPE (ie RPE (eg FFP3), coveralls, gloves ad footwear ad wet weather gear, if ecessary) whe hadlig waste; keep the skip or vehicle locked; esure the skip or vehicle is as close to the eclosure as possible; do ot locate the skip or vehicle close to a sesitive area, eg i the middle of a school playgroud; esure that there are o sharp objects placed i the skip. A sealed bulkhead should be provided i vehicles used to trasfer waste to separate passegers from waste materials. Tools ad other equipmet should also be segregated to prevet bags etc beig ruptured durig trasit; waste packages should ot be throw ito the skip or vehicle. The route to the skip should be delieated, as this will form part of the clearace test at the ed of the job; if there is o employee available o the outside of the eclosure to trasfer waste to the skip or vehicle, the the perso puttig the waste through the baglock will have to carry out primary decotamiatio before takig the waste to the skip or vehicle (see Chapter 8 for details of persoal decotamiatio). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 137 of 181

137 Health ad Safety Storage of asbestos waste 7.95 Asbestos waste ca oly be stored uder the followig circumstaces: o site i a locked skip or locked vehicle; at a waste maagemet facility, licesed or permitted by EA or SEPA. Uder o circumstaces should asbestos waste be stored i a eclosure, airlock or the hygiee facilities Trasfer for disposal 7.96 Compaies trasportig waste should esure that they comply with the relevat legislatio ad the guidace issued by EA ad SEPA i relatio to registerig as a waste carrier ad maitaiig a auditable trail to show where the waste came from ad its disposal poit. All skips or freight cotaiers holdig asbestos waste should carry the asbestos symbol as show i Appedix All loads should be made secure. It is good practice to have skips or freight cotaiers that are regularly used for asbestos waste to be used exclusively for that purpose. HSE does ot require them to be lied although they should be cleaed out to remove all visible debris oce they have delivered their load to the licesed tip. Waste water from this process should be filtered ad ay residue should be disposed of as asbestos waste If a package or bag bursts durig trasit i a vehicle, sealed skip or freight cotaier, the vehicle, cotaier or skip will eed to be cleaed out ad visibly ispected before it ca be reused. A vehicle would also require a disturbed air test to be carried out. Carriage of dagerous goods requiremets The dagerous goods safety advisor 7.99 If a cotractor is loadig or trasportig more tha 333 kg of crocidolite or amosite (ie blue or brow) asbestos or 1000 kg of chrysotile (white) asbestos waste to which the CDG regulatios apply, the a suitably traied trasport of dagerous goods advisor will have to be appoited. The advisor should help to draw up procedures to load ad/or trasport waste, liaise with other safety advisors ad write reports about ay icidets ivolvig the trasport of the waste. This will apply to cotractors who are registered waste carriers ad trasport waste i their ow vehicle or who provide their ow skip ad skip lorry to trasport waste to a licesed tip. If the work is sub-cotracted to a registered waste carrier ad the cotractor oly puts the packages ito a sealed skip, a trasport of dagerous goods advisor will ot be required. Trasport rules The CDG regulatios require all fibrous waste to be trasported uder the coditios set out i the flowchart i Appedix 7.2 which is also summarised below: where the maximum weight of the vehicle exceeds 3.5 toes, the driver trasportig the waste will eed to have a dagerous goods Vocatioal Traiig Certificate (see Are you ivolved i the carriage of dagerous goods by road or rail?); 33 the vehicle will eed to have suitable fire extiguishers; a Tremcard (ie istructios i writig) (the iformatio to be provided is listed i Appedix 7.3) should be carried i the vehicle cab; orage paels should be displayed o the frot ad rear of the vehicle ad hazard placards (as show i Figure 7.21) o all four sides of ay skip loaded oto the vehicle; where the vehicle weight is less tha 3.5 toes ad more tha 333 kg of crocidolite or amosite (ie blue or brow) asbestos or more tha 1000 kg of Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 138 of 181

138 Health ad Safety Figure 7.21 CDG hazard placard chrysotile (white) asbestos is beig carried, orage paels ad hazard placards have to be displayed but the driver will ot eed dagerous goods traiig; where the vehicle s maximum weight is less tha 3.5 toes, ad less tha 333 kg of amphibole ad less tha 1000 kg of chrysotile asbestos are carried, orage paels ad hazard placards do ot have to be displayed. 9 Eviromet Agecies requiremets The Evirometal Protectio Act 22 requires that a registered waste carrier is used for all costructio ad demolitio waste. The earest office of EA or SEPA should be cotacted for further details of their admiistrative requiremets. A list of regioal offices ca be foud o the agecies websites: ad The key poits for asbestos waste are give i Box 7.7. Site assessmet for reoccupatio (Four-stage clearace procedure) Followig asbestos removal, the premises must be assessed to determie whether they are thoroughly clea ad fit for reoccupatio (or, as appropriate, demolitio). Oce the licesed cotractor is satisfied that the area is clea ad ready for future use, the area should be assessed by a idepedet orgaisatio which is accredited by UKAS as complyig with ISO All air measuremets should comply with the ISO stadard. If this assessmet of the workplace is passed as satisfactory, the a certificate of reoccupatio is issued. The certificate is issued to the cotractor ad, as appropriate, to the cliet where the latter has egaged the aalyst The clearace certificatio process is a vital compoet i asbestos removal work. The issue of a certificate of reoccupatio by a impartial ad competet orgaisatio provides the crucial reassurace ad security to the subsequet buildig users. The multi-stage certificatio process is desiged to allow the ispectio ad assessmet to be performed i a structured, systematic ad cosistet maer. The cotractor should ot arrage for the site clearace certificatio procedure to start util satisfied that the area is clea ad dry. Box 7.7 Waste: Key poits Make sure that waste is properly bagged ad/or wrapped with the appropriate UN-approved markigs. Waste bags or packages should be removed through the baglock. Positio the skip, cotaier or vehicle as close to the eclosure as possible. Esure that o sharp objects ca burst bags or packages durig trasit. Esure that the skip, cotaier or vehicle is kept locked. All waste should be take to a licesed or permitted waste maagemet facility by a registered waste carrier ad cosiged appropriately. A waste processig licece may be eeded for some waste maagemet activities. I Eglad ad Wales the premises of asbestos waste geeratio must be registered as a hazardous waste producer with the EA before the waste is trasported. You may require a trasport of a dagerous goods advisor if you load ad/or trasport asbestos waste to which the CDG regulatios apply. You ca oly store asbestos waste o site i a locked skip, cotaier or vehicle or at a waste trasfer statio. Esure that you have emergecy procedures for clearig up ay burst bags or packages. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 139 of 181

139 Health ad Safety The aalyst ad the cotractor eed to co-operate ad support each other durig this process. Each also eeds to uderstad the respective roles ad resposibilities. It is the resposibility of the cotractor to thoroughly ad diligetly clea up the work area. The aalyst s role is to provide idepedet verificatio that the area is clea ad suitable for subsequet use. It is ot the aalyst s role to oversee the fial clea of the area. It is the aalyst s role durig clearace certificatio to direct the cotractor to those matters which require attetio to esure successful completio of the process. The aalyst should allow sufficiet time for clearace certificatio to be performed There are four stages to the site certificatio for reoccupatio procedure: Stage 1: Prelimiary check of site coditio ad job completeess; Stage 2: A thorough visual ispectio iside the eclosure/work area; Stage 3: Air moitorig; Stage 4: Fial assessmet post-eclosure/work area dismatlig. Stage 1: Prelimiary check of site coditio ad job completeess Iitially the aalyst eeds to establish with the cotractor the scope of the work that has bee carried out. This must be doe by examiig the cotractors POW. 7 (Full iformatio o cotractors plas of work is give i paragraphs ). Regulatio 7(2) of CAWR 7 states that the POW should be kept at the premises util the work is completed. Paragraph 38 of Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace 12 states that the POW should be brought to the attetio of ayoe carryig out the four-stage certificatio procedure. It should be clear from the POW: where the asbestos to be removed was; if ay asbestos materials were to remai i situ; ad what the asbestos materials removed were If there is o POW o site or if the cotractor refuses to make it available, the ispectio should either stop util such time as a POW is made available or a failed certificate of reoccupatio issued with the reaso for the failure oted The aalyst should record the scope of the work o the site certificate for reoccupatio. A diagram or photos should be appeded so that the scope of the work is quite clear. A copy of the diagram from the cotractor s POW would meet this requiremet. If there is o diagram o site, the aalyst should prepare a diagram. The diagram should cotai the mai features. It should show the eclosure (or work area) icludig airlocks ad baglocks, trasit ad waste routes, ad skip ad hygiee facilities. It should provide details of sizes or dimesios. A example of a diagram is show i Figure The aalyst ad cotractor should agree the cotet of the diagram ad both should sig ad date it Whe the scope of the work has bee uderstood ad verified, the aalyst should esure that the hygiee facilities are still itact, operatioal ad clea. The clea ed of the uit should be checked for clealiess, hot ad cold water ad heatig. The shower area ad dirty ed should be ispected either by exteral viewig (from the clea ed i the case of the former) or by eterig wearig the appropriate RPE ad PPE. These areas should be clea ad free from stored items ad the NPU should be operatig. The aalyst should the check the surroudig areas to the eclosure, icludig the trasit ad waste routes, ad the areas immediately adjacet to the eclosure (see also Boxes 7.8 ad 7.9). The purpose of this ispectio is to check for obvious sigs of cotamiatio arisig from the work; either through leaks i the eclosure, burst waste bags or debris from iadequate Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 140 of 181

140 Health ad Safety decotamiatio procedures. This ispectio does ot require the detailed visual examiatio which is ecessary iside the eclosure or work area. Figure 7.22 Recordig of the site layout as a diagram, (a) shows the 3-dimesioal layout ad (b) is a example of how the site could be recorded as a clearace diagram. Dark areas show work areas ad light areas show other areas which eed to be ispected (a) Airlocks Eclosure wall Plat room Catee Groud floor NPU First floor Skip DCU (b) Tet Airlocks Work areas For ispectio Plat room Catee Mai car park NPU Skip DCU Drawig V01 Layout of asbestos removal site Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 141 of 181

141 Health ad Safety Box 7.8 Multi-job sites Where there are several jobs ogoig at the same site, usig, eg the same waste skip, it will ot be possible for a Stage 1 ispectio to be carried out i that area, as it is still beig used. I this case the Stage 1 certificate should state why that area has ot bee ispected ad clearly idetify the area that has bee ispected. This priciple would apply wherever there are commo areas still i use. Such iformatio should be trasparet ad it should be recorded o the certificate of reoccupatio The itegrity of the eclosure should also be checked. If ay asbestos debris is foud i the surroudig areas it should be cleared up immediately by the cotractors. Ay breach i the itegrity of the eclosure should be repaired before Stage 2 is started. The aalyst should make sure that the air extractio equipmet is i situ ad i operatio. Air extractio equipmet should be switched off just before startig the Stage 3 air moitorig ad should ot be removed util the third stage of the site certificatio procedure has bee completed ad the eclosure is beig dismatled. The pre-filters o the air extractio equipmet should be replaced with ew oes before the fial clea by the cotractors The aalyst should examie the eclosure through the viewig paels (or CCTV moitor) before eterig i order to gai a iitial impressio of the job completeess. Items to look out for iclude: waste remaiig i the eclosure; visible debris o the surfaces; iadequate lightig to coduct a visual ispectio; essetial equipmet such as ladders or scaffoldig are still preset so it is possible to ispect all areas; puddles of water, wet patches ad leakig pipes; evidece that sealat has bee applied to exposed surfaces; potetial hazards iside the eclosure If ay of these items eed to be actioed, they should be dealt with before the eclosure is etered. The aalyst should direct the cotractor to the matters eedig to be rectified. The aalyst should also discuss with the cotractor if ay of the items were idetified i the POW as eedig special attetio (eg igress of water). The type of actio eeded to overcome these problems is give i paragraphs The aalyst must make a formal record of the scearios ecoutered ad the discussios ad actios that took place to rectify them. If viewig iside the eclosure is ot possible or is limited (viewig paels or cameras are either abset or are isufficiet ad do ot allow views of all of the work area), a ote of this should be made i the aalyst s site record ad the above items cosidered whe eterig the eclosure i Stage 2. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 142 of 181

142 Health ad Safety Box 7.9 Coditios where a ispectio of the trasit routes should take place Coditios should allow the idetificatio of obvious asbestos debris alog trasit ad waste routes. Uder ormal circumstaces, rai or damp groud should ot prevet a Stage 1 ispectio as the aalyst is lookig for visible debris, ot fie settled dust. A ispectio at ight would ot be a problem if the routes were well-lit. If, however, the aalyst felt that coditios did ot allow reasoable ispectio, eg isufficiet light, the it should be delayed util the coditios are suitable, eg the followig day. I the very rare occurreces where a delay is likely to be sigificat, eg several days (eg due to sow coverig), the the aalyst should record the situatio i the certificate of reoccupatio ad cotiue with the remaiig clearace stages. The certificate of reoccupatio should be issued as appropriate. However, the aalyst ad the cotractor will have to retur ad complete Stage 1 (ad Stage 4 if appropriate) as soo as possible after the coditios allow. The ACOP, Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace 12 provides for this variatio from the orm i paragraph 157, where it states Site clearace certificatio should ormally be carried out i four successive stages, with the ext stage oly beig commeced whe the previous oe has bee completed. If trasit ad waste routes are strew with debris that could be mistake for asbestos, or such that it is difficult to ispect for debris, the aalyst should request that the routes be cleared to allow for adequate ispectio. The ispectio is for obvious asbestos cotamiatio ad debris, ot ay other kid of debris. There is o poit i eterig the eclosure util these problems have bee rectified Fidigs at Stage 1 should be recorded o the certificate of reoccupatio ad verified with the cotractor before movig oto the secod stage. There should be cofirmatio that the POW has bee ispected ad that the air extractio equipmet, hygiee facilities ad work areas are itact ad operatig. This stage should also cotai a record of fidigs of the ispectio of the skip/waste route, the trasit route, hygiee facilities ad the outside of the eclosure. A ote should be made of ay remaiig asbestos that was outside the scope of the work Oly whe the aalyst is satisfied with the Stage 1 ispectio, should he/ she eter the eclosure to carry out the Stage 2 ispectio. The aalyst should geerally be eterig a area that is free of all asbestos ad should ot ormally be expected to have to udergo full decotamiatio o exitig the eclosure. However, if the site is foud to have extesive debris ad surface cotamiatio remaiig, it is importat that the aalyst termiates the Stage 2 visual ispectio ad leaves the eclosure before ay sigificat disturbace or clea-up takes place. Failure to do this will mea the aalyst could be cotamiated by the cotractors activity ad will eed to follow full decotamiatio procedures o leavig the eclosure. Detailed iformatio o decotamiatio procedures for aalysts is give i Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures. 8 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 143 of 181

143 Health ad Safety Figure 7.23 Aalyst carryig out a visual ispectio iside a eclosure Stage 2: Thorough visual ispectio iside the eclosure/work area This is the stage at which the thorough visual ispectio of the eclosure or work area takes place. It is the most sigificat part of the clearace procedure. The aalyst must check: the completeess of the removal of the ACMs from the uderlyig surfaces; for the presece of ay visible asbestos debris left iside the eclosure ad airlocks or work area; for the presece of fie settled dust The removal process will have give rise to the spread of asbestos dust iside the eclosure. Residual dust may still remai o ay uprotected or iadequately cleaed surfaces. Such dust presets a ogoig risk to buildig occupats. Therefore a thorough visual examiatio of all surfaces should be performed. It should ivolve a close ad detailed ispectio across all parts of the eclosure keelig dow or usig ladders where appropriate (see Figure 7.23). All items should be checked. The ispectio ca be assisted by usig a torch ad by ruig a figertip across the surfaces to check for presece of fie dust (see Figure 7.24). Awkward or difficult locatios must ot be excluded. Baglocks ad airlocks should be icluded. Figure 7.24 A torch beig used to illumiate fie settled dust The aalyst should be accompaied durig the thorough visual ispectio by a represetative of the cotractor, who ca rectify ay mior problems foud, such as: holes i the eclosure ot visible from the outside; small amouts of dust or debris foud durig the course of the ispectio The aalyst will have to make judgemets o the extet ad sigificace of dust ad debris foud durig the ispectio: whether it is mior ad ca be cleaed up durig the course of the ispectio, or whether it is more substatial ad is idicative that the fial clea has ot bee udertake thoroughly eough. It is importat to remember that it is the duty of the cotractor to udertake the fial clea ad carry out a thorough visual ispectio before requestig a fourstage site certificatio for reoccupatio. If it is clear that this has ot bee doe, the aalyst should withdraw ad fail the eclosure, citig what eeds to be doe before aother ispectio is udertake. The risk that the aalyst udertakig a ispectio will miss some cotamiatio is icreased if he/she has to stop ad get cleaig doe every few miutes. They should withdraw ad let the cotractors clea ad re-ispect before startig a ew visual ispectio Essetial equipmet to be used iside the eclosure icludes: a torch - the torch beam whe shoe alog a surface at a shallow agle is useful i idetifyig fie settled dust o surfaces; it ca also augmet the lightig i the eclosure; a screwdriver - this is useful for pokig behid pipes ad ito crevices to help ispect these difficult-to-see areas; a mirror - this ca be useful i ispectig difficult-to-see areas Locatios where asbestos dust ad debris are commoly foud durig thorough visual ispectios are show i Figure Asbestos dust ad debris may also be foud i the folds of sheetig used to costruct the eclosure. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 144 of 181

144 Health ad Safety Equipmet that must remai i the eclosure to help ispectio icludes: stepladders/scaffoldig - depedig o the height of the eclosure oe or the other will be eeded to allow safe access ad to ispect the ledges, pipework etc above head height; lightig - a thorough ispectio eeds lightig; a torch aloe is ot eough. The torch should be used to supplemet the backgroud lightig, ot replace it; vacuum cleaer ad other cleaig materials - this will allow the cotractor to clea ay mior amouts of debris idetified by the aalyst immediately; a vacuum cleaer must also be available for prelimiary decotamiatio o leavig the eclosure; buckets of water ad spoges ad brushes or wipes i the airlock to aid prelimiary decotamiatio, followig the visual ispectio. Figure 7.25 Boiler room showig locatios where asbestos dust ad debris are commoly foud durig a thorough visual ispectio Backs of pipes ad vessels 2 Support brackets ad clamps o pipes ad vessels 3 Nuts ad bolts or flages ad hatches of vessels ad pipework 4 Screw holes, or aroud ails ad battes for AIB tilig 5 Cable trays ad coduits, especially if they have a metal mesh costructio 6 All horizotal ledges, shelves, widow sills etc 7 The udersides of boilers ad taks, either attached or loose 8 Rough porous brickwork, eg breeze block ad rough cocrete 9 Holes i walls etc, where pipes, cables or steelwork pass through 10 Drais, sumps ad culverts Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 145 of 181

145 Health ad Safety How log should a visual ispectio take? The aalyst must esure that sufficiet time is available for the visual ispectio. A detailed visual ispectio ca be time-cosumig, ad the legth of time eeded will deped o the size ad complexity of the job. A thorough visual search of all areas of the eclosure is required to be cofidet that a area is clea ad free from asbestos debris ad fie settled dust. A sigle pael removed from behid a domestic boiler withi a 2 m 2 eclosure with smooth surfaces ad othig else withi the eclosure is ulikely to take more tha miutes. Eve a small boiler house should ot take less tha about 1.5 hours if ispected thoroughly. A large plat room, chemical plat or power statio may take several days. Durig a large clearace, aalysts should leave the eclosure, decotamiate ad take a break every 2-3 hours. The time spet carryig out a visual ispectio should be recorded. Problems commoly ecoutered durig visual ispectios Paragraphs provide guidace o several issues which may be ecoutered durig visual ispectios. Potetial problems ca arise due to isufficiet plaig ad preparatio. Clearace should be cosidered by the cotractor at the very outset of the job. There is a requiremet for the cotractor to cosider clearace i the iitial assessmet of the work (ACOP, Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace, 12 paragraph 30). The cotractor should be lookig to idetify those matters which will ihibit or impede clearace, eg wet eclosures, loose or aturally dusty surfaces, voids i ceiligs which cotai mieral wool, cogested plat rooms which cotai multiple pipes or equipmet. These matters ca ormally be elimiated or resolved more easily before the work starts. Wet eclosures This is a problem commoly cited by aalysts whe udertakig clearaces. The ACOP, Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace 12 states that a eclosure, where practical, should be clea ad dry. However, the eclosure is sometimes wet. There are a variety of reasos for this: there may be a leakig pipe; sealat may have bee sprayed i the eclosure; or there may be groudwater seepig through. If groudwater is preset there may be little that ca be doe to reder the eclosure completely dry, but it may be ecessary for the cotractor to use a pump to prevet the area floodig. However if there is a leakig pipe, there are two scearios: If it is idetified before work is carried out, it ca be poited out to the cliet ad fixed before work begis. It ca also be explaied to the asbestos removal cotractors that they will be uable to obtai a certificate of reoccupatio if the leak is ot fixed. If the situatio is further complicated by the fact that the pipe is lagged with asbestos, the a prelimiary removal job ca be carried out. A small eclosure should be built ad a sectio of laggig removed usig a glovebag. This will allow plumbers to carry out their work oce the area has obtaied a certificate of reoccupatio. If the leak is idetified durig the course of the work, work should cease ad the area be cleaed. The plumber ca the be accompaied ito the eclosure by the cotractor. The air extractio system should stay o. Plumbers should have suitable traiig i the use of the RPE ad PPE to allow them to carry out their work safely. A leakig pipe should be o excuse for a wet eclosure. A eclosure will fail a visual examiatio if it is wet ad the cause is remediable. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 146 of 181

146 Health ad Safety Sprayed sealat Paragraph 161 of the ACOP, Work with asbestos isulatio, asbestos coatig ad asbestos isulatig board. Cotrol of Asbestos at Work Regulatios Approved Code of Practice ad guidace 12 also states that sealats should ot be sprayed before a visual ispectio or disturbed air tests. The oly exceptio to this is where there is sufficiet o-asbestos dust (eg from cocrete) to cause a failure i the air test. The aalyst has discretioary powers ad, after due cosideratio ad air testig, ca allow sealat to be used i these circumstaces (see paragraph 7.137). The circumstaces should be recorded o the certificate of reoccupatio ad the air test should proceed. If a aalyst arrives o site to carry out a visual ispectio ad the eclosure is still wet due to sealat beig sprayed, the aalyst must fail the area ad iform the cotractor that the Stage 2 ispectio ca oly be carried out whe the sealat has bee washed off ad the eclosure is dry. If the sealat has already dried, the aalyst will have to fail the site ad cosider the way forward. If the evidece suggests that the sealat is protectig a sigificat amout of asbestos dust which will cause risk to subsequet occupats, the the sealat will have to be removed ad the area recleaed. The cliet should be iformed. Eclosures with loose rubble floorig The assessmet should idetify work areas where the floorig is loose rubble, eg i a udercroft. I these circumstaces the rubble should be removed (to a specified depth) as part of a pre-clea of the site. The loose floorig would the be sealed with a impervious layer, eg metal or hardboard sheetig, before the asbestos work begis. If it was ot possible to remove the rubble due to the coditio of the remaiig ACM or space limitatios, the the matter should be addressed i the assessmet. The POW should idetify the procedure to remove the rubble ad loose soil after the ACM removal has bee carried out. I these circumstaces, it would be prudet for the cotractor to cosult with the aalyst before startig the work. If a aalyst arrives o site to carry out the four-stage clearace certificatio, without prior discussio ad agreemet of the procedures for clearace, it will be impossible to pass such a area accordig to the stadard required i a Stage 2 ispectio. The aalyst will have to fail the site ad liaise with the cotractor ad/or cliet to orgaise the removal of a specified depth of the rubble/loose floorig before the formal ispectio begis. The depth of rubble to be removed will deped o the level of cotamiatio. The aalyst ca the check the remaiig floorig for sigs of asbestos cotamiatio. If the aalyst is satisfied that the cotamiatio has bee removed, the floorig ca the be sealed ad Stage 2 visual ca formally start. Asbestos remaiig i eclosures (by desig) There may be occasios whe some asbestos is to remai i situ i the eclosure. It may be that oly damaged asbestos laggig is beig removed from pipework, ad that udamaged material is to remai; or it could be that asbestos ceilig tiles are beig removed, but a fire door with a asbestos cemet pael is beig left i place. I these circumstaces the ACM should be labelled that it is asbestos ad that it is to remai. The item ca the be checked by the aalyst agaist the work pla ad recorded o the certificate of reoccupatio. Asbestos waste remaiig i eclosure O occasios, it may be ecessary to retai asbestos waste (bagged or wrapped) withi the eclosure util Stage 4 of clearace certificatio starts ad the eclosure ca be removed. This situatio may arise whe oversized waste (such as legths of pipework or large AIB paels) caot be removed through the baglock system. The items should remai i the eclosure ad be subject to ispectio alog with other items to make sure they are free of asbestos debris o the outside of the wrappig. The items will also eed to be moved to allow the aalyst to ispect the uderlyig surfaces. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 147 of 181

147 Health ad Safety Iaccessible asbestos Where asbestos has bee spray applied, there are ofte crevices or holes through walls where pipe work or girders ru. These may cotai asbestos but are impossible to clea so that all asbestos is removed. I these cases, the aalyst may permit the use of o-flammable sealat such as foams or plaster to fill the hole ad seal the asbestos withi it. However, the aalyst should be satisfied that as far as reasoably practicable, the asbestos has bee removed before the sealat is applied. The cliet for the cotract (eg buildig occupier) should be iformed that this is the proposed course of actio before the ecapsulatio takes place. It should be i the POW. The locatio of the sealat ad remaiig asbestos should be oted o the certificate of reoccupatio, so that the cliet ca record the presece of the asbestos i the maagemet pla. If a aalyst arrives o site to fid that holes aroud the area where the sprayed asbestos was applied have bee plugged with foam or other sealat, the cotractor should be istructed to remove the sealat before the Stage 2 ispectio begis. Use of ecapsulat ad sealat Where asbestos has bee sprayed oto porous surfaces (eg breeze blocks) or oto tar, it is almost impossible to remove all the asbestos, sufficiet to pass a visual ispectio (see Figure 7.26). I these cases the aalysts, havig satisfied themselves that further removal is ot reasoably practicable, should advise the cotractor ad/or cliet to seal the residual asbestos with a permaet proprietary sealat. The visual ispectio ca the begi agai oce the sealat has bee applied ad dried. Ecapsulatio of asbestos i these istaces should ot take place before the aalyst has see the residual asbestos. Figure 7.26 Remats of asbestos o breeze blocks Figure 7.27 Air samplig durig clearace The fidigs of Stage 2 of the ispectio should be recorded o the certificate of reoccupatio. There should be cofirmatio that the airlocks ad eclosure are free from visible debris ad cotamiatio, that all ACMs have bee removed ad that the iterior surfaces of the eclosure are free from visible debris ad settled dust. As for Stage 1, if problems are ecoutered durig the Stage 2 ispectio, the aalyst must make a formal record of the scearios ecoutered ad the discussios ad actios that took place to rectify them. The aalyst should also make specific commets o the certificate of reoccupatio if ay asbestos is to remai (see paragraphs ) ad clearly idetify the locatios of these areas with a recommedatio that this iformatio should be etered ito the maagemet pla/asbestos register. Stage 3: Clearace idicator air samplig for the certificate of reoccupatio Air samplig takes place oce a thorough visual ispectio has bee carried out ad the aalyst is satisfied that all the asbestos i the POW has bee removed, ad there is o visible debris or layers of settled dust (see Figure 7.27). The lowest airbore respirable asbestos cocetratio that the method described i Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures 8 ca reliably quatify is 0.01 fibres/ml, for a sample volume of at least 480 litres passed through a filter with a effective diameter greater tha 20 mm. I most cases it is reasoably practicable to clea the workig area thoroughly eough for the respirable airbore fibre cocetratio after fial cleaig to be below that limit, usig the approved measurig method. Therefore a value of 0.01 fibres/ml is take as the clearace idicator threshold, ad a site should ot ormally be regarded as fit for reoccupatio util the asbestos i air measuremets are below this level Details of the equipmet to be used to carry out the samplig ad aalysis are give i Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures. 8 The strategy for samplig ad dust disturbace ad sample aalysis are also give i Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures. 8 Air samplig should be accompaied by sweepig the floor with a Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 148 of 181

148 Health ad Safety broom ad brushig the surface from which the asbestos was removed ad ay other higher level horizotal surfaces (see Figure 7.28). Brushig should also take place o horizotal surfaces where the dust may have settled or collected or where there is suspicio of surface cotamiatio, ad o surfaces i close proximity to the samplig equipmet. The broom ad/or brush used should be made out of ma-made fibre ad should be used to give a represetative simulatio of cleaig activity. For eclosures with floor areas greater tha 20 m 2 a log-hadled broom should be used to sweep the floor, for both ergoomic ad practical reasos The dust disturbace should be carried out as described i paragraphs The dust-raisig activities udertake ad their duratio should be recorded o the certificate of reoccupatio. O some surfaces, brushig may geerate sigificat amouts of particulate which may obscure the filter. If this is the case, samplig strategies may eed to be modified to take this ito accout. Appropriate PPE should be wor by the perso coductig the disturbace test The purpose of the disturbace activity is to esure that workers, occupats, cleaers ad members of the public usig the area i the future are ot exposed to asbestos as a result of ieffective removal ad cleaig. A realistic simulatio of a possible future activity that may produce high airbore dust ad fibre cocetratios is the brushig or sweepig of surfaces. Brushig should be carried out i a maer that is cosistet with ormal cleaig activities i a buildig. Brushig should take place i all of the followig locatios: all surfaces from where the asbestos has bee removed, horizotal surfaces where the dust may have settled or collected or where there is suspicio of surface cotamiatio, ad surfaces i close proximity to the samplig equipmet. These dust-raisig activities should be substatial eough to raise fie settled dust (if it is preset) from surfaces, ad should be commesurate with the size of the eclosure. They should take place for a duratio of at least 1.5 miutes for each measuremet poit iside the eclosure, ear the start of each full hour of samplig, or each time a ew filter is used i a area. For larger eclosures there is likely to be more tha oe perso carryig out the dust disturbace work, so the same total surface area will be disturbed but i less time. This meas the total time of the disturbace is ulikely to exceed aroud miutes each hour All brushes used for raisig dust should be cosidered as beig cotamiated ad should geerally be disposed of as asbestos waste. However some brushes may have detachable screw hadles. Where the hadle is costructed from a material which could be effectively decotamiated (eg plastic) the this part may be reused after thorough cleaig. Brush heads, irrespective of the compositio, should always be disposed of as asbestos waste. Dusty eclosures There may be occasios whe the surface i the work area is a source of o-asbestos dust that would geerate ureadable filters. The presece of oasbestos dust would be oted at the thorough visual ispectio. The aalyst has to be satisfied that the dust is o-asbestos. However, the aalyst should proceed with air samplig as ormal. If this produces ureadable filters, the aalyst should cosider samplig for shorter periods with paired samplers, so that the dust loadig o each filter is reduced. If the samples fail agai because of the dust loadig, the the sprayig of surfaces with a sealat should be cosidered. If a sealat is used, the air test should ot be carried out util the sealat is dry (see paragraph 7.125). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 149 of 181

149 Health ad Safety Figure 7.28 Aalyst carryig out disturbace by brushig durig clearace Assessmet of air samplig results After air samplig, the aalyst will check the fial flow rate ad collect samples for phase cotrast microscopy aalysis. The aalyst will cout the fibres i a miimum of 200 graticule areas ad report the calculated fibre cocetratios for each sample. The aalyst will also produce a clear statemet whether the eclosure has passed or failed, relative to the clearace idicator value (0.01 f/ml). Leaks i eclosures Uder ormal circumstaces, the air extractio equipmet should be tured off ad capped durig the air test. The aalyst should check that the pre-filter was chaged before the fial clea. However, if, i the opiio of the aalyst, switchig the air extractio system off would compromise the itegrity of the eclosure, ad there are people ear the eclosure who may be exposed to airbore asbestos fibres above the clearace idicator as a cosequece, the aalyst ca direct the cotractors to leave the system switched o durig the air test. Ay decisio to leave the air extractio system switched o should be recorded, with reasos why, o the certificate of reoccupatio. Stage 4: Fial assessmet post-eclosure/work area dismatlig Oce the eclosure (or work area) has passed the visual ispectio (Stage 2) ad air moitorig (Stage 3), the eclosure ca be dismatled. Uder ormal circumstaces, the aalyst will probably remai o site durig dismatlig (uless the decostructio is ot to take place for some time). If the aalyst is close to the dismatlig work, appropriate PPE should be wor as trapped pockets of asbestos could be released durig the physical disturbace. Reassurace samplig could be carried out durig the dismatlig procedure to check for ay release of airbore asbestos. After the eclosure has bee removed, the aalyst should visually ispect the area to esure it is clea. At this stage the aalyst is lookig for obvious asbestos debris such as from the sheetig of the eclosure as it was dismatled or from debris which has bee missed durig cleaig. The aalyst should also re-ispect the waste route ad trasit route for asbestos debris Where there is some debris, this ca be cleaed by the cotractor s employees, wearig appropriate PPE icludig RPE, immediately usig a type H vacuum ad wiped with a wet disposable cloth. If the area is too cotamiated to allow immediate cleaig without the prospect of spreadig cotamiatio, the site should be failed, re-eclosed, re-cleaed, ad the visual ispectio ad disturbed air test repeated If there are fuse boxes or switches withi the area ad the aalyst suspects they may be cotamiated, a qualified electricia should be made available to isolate the boxes, so they ca be ispected The aalyst should record what has bee ispected, what was foud ad the outcome o the certificate of reoccupatio. Certificate of reoccupatio Oce all four stages of the clearace procedure have bee completed satisfactorily, the aalyst should issue a certificate of reoccupatio. Each stage of the certificatio should have bee completed i sequece, to esure that the iformatio icluded is as complete as possible. The iformatio should be clear ad uambiguous so all parties kow the scope ad extet of clearace ad ay particular matters which have bee dealt with A template for a certificate of reoccupatio settig out the details it should cotai ca be foud i Asbestos: The aalysts guide for samplig, aalysis ad clearace procedures 8 (Appedix 3). If oe of the stages fails, the reasos for the failure should be etered ad the remaiig stages struck through. A siged Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 150 of 181

150 Health ad Safety ackowledgemet of the failure should be obtaied from the cotractor s site represetative (usually the site supervisor). If the failure occurs at either Stage 1 or 2 of the process, the ispectios (both Stage 1 ad Stage 2) will eed to be repeated. If a ew aalyst carries out the work, the whole procedure should start agai. If the site fails at Stage 3 or 4, it is oly ecessary to repeat these stages util both have passed. The aalyst will the eed to cross-refer to, ad apped the certificate where the Stages 1 ad 2 were passed. It is very importat that the cotractor s represetative ackowledges the outcome o each certificate issued, whether for a pass or a failure, as this provides evidece of whe the outcome was commuicated. The certificate will provide documetary evidece of the work udertake by the aalyst ad should be retaied by the aalyst. Copies of each certificate must be issued to the cotractor ad, as ecessary, to the cliet employig the aalyst. This may be doe after the aalyst has left the site, provided the cotractor s represetative has ackowledged the outcome. Each certificate should bear a uique umber. Ispectio certificate for the hygiee facilities Oce the certificate of reoccupatio has bee issued, the aalyst ca begi the clearace of the hygiee facility. This should be ispected ad air tested. The air test should be accompaied by disturbace of surfaces i the dirty ad shower areas. Obviously there is o requiremet for a four-stage certificatio procedure here, as Stages 1 ad 4 are carried out as part of the mai certificatio for reoccupatio. Oly Stages 2 ad 3 of the procedure are required The hygiee facility should be clea ad dry before the ispectio takes place ad ay potetially asbestos-cotamiated materials removed (eg bags cotaiig used coveralls, used/discarded respirator filters, trasit clothig). It is recommeded that the uit is etered through the clea ed to check that this area is clea ad free of bagged materials, before carryig out a detailed clearace i the shower area ad dirty ed. The clearace should be carried out usig the same criteria as for eclosures. If the ispectio shows that o dust ad debris are preset, clearace air samplig should be carried out i the shower area ad dirty ed. For very small uits where the combied floor area of the shower ad dirty areas is less tha 10 m 2, oe air test is sufficiet if the door betwee the shower ad dirty areas is propped ope ad the sample head is positioed i the doorway. Where the combied floor area of the shower ad dirty ed exceeds 10 m 2, a sample i each of the shower ad dirty areas should be take. A miimum air volume of 480 litres should be sampled for each sample. Durig air samplig, the extractio i the hygiee facility should be switched off ad capped ad surface disturbace should be carried out usig a brush for 1.5 miutes for each sample. A separate ispectio certificate should be issued for the hygiee facility. The hygiee facility should ormally be subjected to the ispectio ad air samplig before it is moved off-site (see paragraph 7.147). The aalyst should review with the cotractor whether or ot the hygiee facility is to remai o site followig the issue of the ispectio certificate ad a ote of this made o the certificate Where, for security reasos, hygiee facilities are ot left o site overight, ispectio certificatio is ot required util the ed of the cotract. I these situatios, iformatio o where the hygiee facility is to be stored overight ad other arragemets should be icluded i the POW set to HSE with the ASB5 otificatio. Further iformatio o this ca be foud i paragraph Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 151 of 181

151 Health ad Safety APPENDIX 7.1: LABELLING REQUIREMENTS FOR PLASTIC BAGS/SACKS CONTAINING ASBESTOS WASTE Waste blue asbestos (crocidolite) UN 2212 Waste brow asbestos (amosite) UN 2212 Waste white asbestos (chrysotile) UN 2590 Carriage of Dagerous Goods ad Use of Trasportable Pressure Equipmet Regulatios h1 40%H White a o a black backgroud 5 cm H h2 60%H Stadard wordig i white ad/or black o a red backgroud 2.5 cm 50%H The dimesios i millilitres of the label shall be those show o the diagram, except that larger measuremets may be used, but i that case the dimesio of the label idicated as h, o the diagram above, shall be 40% of the dimesio idicated as H o that diagram. The label shall be clearly ad idelibly prited, so that the words i the lower half of the label ca be easily read, ad those words shall be prited i black or white. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 152 of 181

152 Health ad Safety APPENDIX 7.2: ASBESTOS WASTE FLOW CHARTS Procedure for dealig with asbestos waste WASTE ASBESTOS Eglad ad Wales Scotlad: Is the cotet greater tha 0.1% by weight? YES NO Waste Regulatios apply: Waste duty of care applies 22 - Waste cosigmet ote required - cotact EA/SEPA for more iformatio Whoever trasports the waste (you or a haulage cotractor) must be registered as a waste carrier Cotact EA/SEPA for more iformatio Is the asbestos waste combied or fibrous? Trasport ad packagig: COMBINED Trasport ad packagig: FIBROUS COMBINED Is the waste i a atural or artificial bider so as to prevet the escape of hazardous or respirable fibres? YES CDG does ot apply Trasport asbestos waste as per timetable o the Waste Cosigmet Note ad keep copies for 3 years NO See expaded box o page 154 FIBROUS Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 153 of 181

153 Health ad Safety TRANSPORT AND PACKAGING: FIBROUS The waste is dagerous for trasport, CDG applies Asbestos caot be trasported i bulk, it must be packed i UN-approved packages displayig: Does the vehicle i which the waste is to be trasported have a maximum weight i excess of 3.5 toes? NO - Proper shippig ame - Class umber - Hazard placard (see Figure 7.21) YES - Driver to be traied for Class 9 Dagerous Goods - Vehicle to be fitted with a 2 kg dry powder extiguisher i cab ad 6 kg elsewhere * FIBROUS Does the weight of the asbestos exceed: - Blue or brow kg? - White kg? NO YES - Emergecy iformatio (Tremcard) to be provided to the driver Are the packages of asbestos to be carried i a vehicle or i a bulk cotaier o a vehicle? Bulk cotaier Vehicle Trasport as per timetable o the Waste Cosigmet Note - Vehicle to display orage pael at frot ad rear - Hazard placards to be displayed o all four sides of the bulk cotaier Vehicle to display orage pael at frot ad rear Waste Cosigmet Note to be kept by the cosigor for three years. Other documetatio to be kept by the operator for three moths. * Vehicles <3.5 toes: 2 kg i cab ad 2 kg elsewhere Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 154 of 181

154 Health ad Safety APPENDIX 7.3: ASBESTOS WASTE INSTRUCTIONS IN WAITING (TREMCARD) INFORMATION The followig iformatio should be provided by the cosigor (cotractor) to the cosigee (tip operator): The ame of the dagerous goods, ie white, blue or brow asbestos. The class of dagerous goods, ie Class 9. The UN umber, 2212, white asbestos; 2212, brow asbestos ad 2590 for blue asbestos. The packig group, Group III for blue ad brow asbestos ad Group II for white asbestos. The mass or volume of goods to be carried. The trasport category, Category 2 for blue ad brow asbestos ad Category 3 for white asbestos. A declaratio to say that the goods are properly labelled ad i a fit coditio to be carried. The ames ad addresses of the cosigor ad the cosigee. Ay other iformatio that will eable the goods to be carried safely. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 155 of 181

155 Health ad Safety Chapter 8: Decotamiatio Summary Failure to decotamiate properly may lead to the spread of asbestos ad delay the four-stage clearace process. DCUs should meet the desig criteria i Appedix 8.1. The DCU should be o site before work starts ad it should be the last thig to leave site. Employees should follow the decotamiatio procedures show i Figures The supervisor has a vital role i esurig that procedures are followed ad that maiteace ad regular site checks are carried out. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 156 of 181

156 Health ad Safety Cotets Itroductio 158 The decotamiatio process 159 What does the decotamiatio process ivolve? 160 Traiig i decotamiatio procedures 163 Moitorig of the decotamiatio process 163 Emergecy procedures 163 DCUs 163 The differet types of DCU 163 Coectios to services 164 Provisio of iformatio 165 Maiteace ad cleaig of hygiee facilities 166 Ispectio ad cleaig 166 Maiteace 166 Thorough examiatio ad testig 166 Record-keepig 167 Showerig ad lauderig 168 Lauderig of coveralls ad towels 168 Laudry operators 169 Appedix 8.1: Miimum desig criteria for asbestos hygiee uits 171 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 157 of 181

157 Health ad Safety Itroductio 8.1 All persoel (workers ad others) who eter eclosures or desigated work areas are likely to become cotamiated with asbestos ad therefore eed to decotamiate themselves whe they leave. The purpose of decotamiatio is to esure that the workers clea themselves ad their PPE ad RPE to prevet the spread of asbestos outside the eclosure. I additio, the decotamiatio procedure is desiged to esure that cleaig is performed i such a way that it does ot lead to secodary exposure for the worker. This chapter describes the decotamiatio procedures that should be carried out every time workers leave the eclosure. The chapter also specifies the eclosure etry procedures for workers ad it describes the arragemets for lauderig towels ad coveralls. 8.2 Decotamiatio cosists of three stages: Stage 1: Prevet or miimise cotamiatio iside the eclosure, ie avoid becomig cotamiated. Prevetio is the most effective actio. Its importace caot be over-emphasised. Work should be carried out i such a way that miimal dust ad debris are produced. This will ot oly miimise the extet of cotamiatio o PPE ad RPE, it will also reduce exposure ad the spread of asbestos. Stage 2: Prelimiary decotamiatio withi the eclosure ad airlocks. The bulk of cotamiatio should be removed from PPE ad RPE at this stage. Stage 3: Fial decotamiatio withi the DCU. The remaiig residual cotamiatio is removed ad workers chage back ito domestic clothig. This three-stage structured approach to decotamiatio allows the process to be coducted systematically ad cosistetly. Workers should follow the same series of steps every time they leave the eclosure. Figure 8.1 Geeral layout of a hygiee uit Showers Clea ed Well sealed self-closig door Grill with self-closig flap Extract vetilatio uit Dirty ed Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 158 of 181

158 Health ad Safety 8.3 The mai decotamiatio facility (referred to as a hygiee uit or DCU) is a fudametal compoet i the worker cleaig process. The DCU ca be a mobile, fixed or modular facility. It allows workers to prepare for work (by chagig from their domestic clothig ito their PPE ad RPE) ad it provides the facilities to carry out the fial stage of decotamiatio after exitig the eclosure. The desig ad specificatio of hygiee uits are extremely importat. Hygiee uits must meet the miimum desig criteria ad specificatio set out i Appedix 8.1. Figure 8.1 shows the layout of a typical hygiee uit. The decotamiatio process 8.4 The provisio of hygiee uits is essetial for licesed asbestos work. Arragemets should be made to esure that the DCU is o site ad fuctioig at the very start of the job. It should be available o site for pre-clea work ad for situatios where scaffoldig erectio is liable to disturb asbestos, ad it should be available before the eclosure is built. The hygiee uit should arrive o site clea, eve if its most recet use has bee o a o-asbestos job. The uit should cotai a copy of the clearace certificate from the most recet asbestos removal job. The certificate should be attached i a promiet positio i the clea ed. Figure 8.2 Hygiee uit directly attached to the eclosure Vacuum all PPE at the edge of the eclosure Airlock Wash footwear ad spoge RPE Iterveig space or tuel Dirty ed Showers Clea ed Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 159 of 181

159 Health ad Safety 8.5 The purpose of goig through decotamiatio procedures is to esure that ay asbestos fibres or debris are removed from the perso ad their PPE ad RPE to prevet the spread of cotamiatio outside the work areas. Decotamiatio to prevet the spread of fibres is importat ot oly for the asbestos removal workers, but also for others who come ito cotact with them, eg their families or other workers i the viciity of the eclosure. Family members ca be exposed to asbestos if cotamiated clothig is take home. Effective ad thorough decotamiatio is importat for asbestos removal workers, their families ad others o the site What does the decotamiatio process ivolve? 8.6 The exact etry ad decotamiatio procedures will deped o the layout of the site ad, i particular, o whether the hygiee uit is directly attached to the eclosure (described as o-trasitig ) or is remote from the eclosure ( trasitig ). The procedures are covered i paragraphs ad respectively. The former arragemet (ie a hygiee uit directly attached to the eclosure) is desirable ad preferable as it reduces the potetial for asbestos to spread outside the eclosure, ad the decotamiatio procedures are much simpler ad shorter. Trasitig should oly be employed where it is ot reasoably practicable to attach the uit to the eclosure. 8.7 The decotamiatio procedures are set out i five flow charts (Figures ). These describe the respective eclosure etry ad exit procedures for o-trasitig ad trasitig, as well as the procedures for washig ad decotamiatig iside the DCU. The flow charts are as follows: Figure 8.8: Decotamiatio process: Hygiee uit attached to the eclosure: Eterig eclosure Figure 8.9: Decotamiatio process: Hygiee uit attached to the eclosure: Leavig eclosure Figure 8.10: Decotamiatio process: Trasitig procedure: Eterig eclosure with ew work coveralls Figure 8.11: Decotamiatio process: Trasitig procedure: Eterig eclosure after break Figure 8.12: Decotamiatio process: Trasitig procedure: Leavig eclosure Hygiee uit coected to eclosure 8.8 The hygiee uit is attached to the eclosure. This type of decotamiatio procedure is outlied i Figures 8.8 ad 8.9. The positioig of the hygiee uit should be cosidered whe first assessig the job ad drawig up a suitable method statemet. 8.9 The hygiee uit (mobile or modular) should be coected to the eclosure through a short iterveig space or tuel ad a oe-stage airlock costructed of polythee sheetig (see Figure 8.2). DCUs should ever be directly attached to the eclosure without the iterveig space as research suggests that cotamiated air may be draw i from the eclosure ito the dirty ed of the DCU (see the HSL report Ivestigatio ito the effectiveess of modular hygiee uits). 35 The iterveig space is there to provide a air gap betwee the eclosure ad the DCU ad it must be fitted with a vet to the ope air. The vet opeigs should be costructed i a similar maer to the eclosures access opeigs (ie slits with weighted flaps, see Figure 8.2) but should be smaller as they must ot be used for etry or exit. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 160 of 181

160 Health ad Safety Figure 8.3 Trasit facilities (ie three-stage airlock) Three-stage airlock 8.10 This method of likig the DCU to the eclosure should be ormal practice uless it is impracticable to do so, eg due to limited space, restricted access or multi-storey work. Trasitig procedures should be avoided where possible as there is a risk of spreadig cotamiatio alog the trasit route. The trasit route will form part of the four-stage clearace test at the ed of the job (see paragraph o clearace procedures) Waste should ever be take through the DCU as it could lead to gross cotamiatio withi the uit. Waste (ad equipmet) should be removed from the eclosure through a separate baglock (see Box 7.5). Eclosures should always be directly coected to the eclosure, uless this is ot reasoably practicable Hygiee uit remote from the eclosure 8.12 Where it is ot possible to attach the DCU directly to the eclosure, trasitig arragemets will have to be employed. These procedures are loger ad more complex tha o-trasitig. They ivolve the use of trasitig PPE ad additioal facilities to eable the worker to carry out prelimiary decotamiatio before travellig to the DCU for full decotamiatio. The process is described i Figures Outer stage Middle stage Ier stage Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 161 of 181

161 Health ad Safety 8.13 Trasit facilities (also kow as the three-stage airlock) should be specially costructed ad made of polythee sheetig. They should be attached to the strippig eclosure ad should comprise of three compartmets separated by weighted sheets to miimise the spread of dust betwee the compartmets. As show i Figure 8.3, the ier stage is the compartmet earest to the eclosure, the middle stage is the middle compartmet ad outer stage is the last compartmet that operatives will go through before walkig to the DCU. The threestage airlock should be as big as possible to eable the workers to chage ad decotamiate. The absolute miimum dimesios for each compartmet should be 1 m x 1 m x 2 m. Where space is urestricted, these compartmets should be larger. Airlocks should have miimum iteral dimesios for each compartmet of 1 m (width) x 1 m (depth) x 2 m (height) 8.14 The three stages should have the followig facilities withi them: Outer stage: Facilities to store trasit overalls ad footwear, eg hooks ad/or shoeholders. Middle stage: Facilities to store overalls ad footwear wor i the eclosure, eg hooks ad/or shoe-holders. Ier stage: Footbath ad brush, water bucket ad spoge or wipes for RPE. (Type H vacuum cleaer is usually located at the edge of the eclosure) The trasit procedure is desiged to esure that the potetial for spread of asbestos fibres from used work PPE durig trasitig is miimised. O leavig the eclosure, all cotamiated items (ie coveralls, footwear ad RPE) should be cleaed, ad coveralls ad footwear should be replaced or covered. Trasit coveralls (ormally a distict ad differet colour to work coveralls) ad footwear should be wor travellig to ad returig from the eclosure. Used work coveralls should be removed i the middle stage of the airlock ad either disposed of as hazardous waste or stored for reuse, eg after meal breaks. Used work footwear may be stored after use (i the middle stage) or covered with overshoes durig trasitig. New (ie uused ad clea) work coveralls should be wor uder trasitig coveralls e route to the eclosure All trasit routes should be delieated to esure that other workers or members of the public keep away from this route, where practicable. Ay cotamiatio foud o the trasit route at clearace stage will delay the issuig of a certificate of reoccupatio to the cliet I a few exceptioal circumstaces the ormal travellig procedures described above may ot be appropriate. There may be some circumstaces where wearig a full-facepiece respirator causes icreased health ad safety risks such as trips ad falls, eg if trasitig at height or through heavy idustrial plat. This type of situatio is foreseeable ad alterative arragemets ca be put ito place. I such circumstaces, the full-facepiece respirator may be removed i the middle stage of the trasit facility after primary decotamiatio ad replaced with a FFP3 disposable face mask. The worker ca the travel to the DCU wearig the disposable mask ad carryig the full-facepiece respirator. The relevat decotamiatio procedure should be followed each time a worker leaves the eclosure Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 162 of 181

162 Health ad Safety Figure 8.4 Mobile facilities Traiig i decotamiatio procedures 8.18 Chapter 4 o traiig specifies the topics that must be covered by asbestos removal operatives. It is essetial that workers receive practical traiig o decotamiatio procedures to acquire the kowledge ad skills ecessary to decotamiate properly. Traiig should ivolve practisig how to decotamiate i a simulated eviromet. It is particularly importat for workers to recogise the eed for primary decotamiatio durig trasit procedures. Moitorig of the decotamiatio process 8.19 Supervisors play a key role i the day-to-day moitorig ad checkig of all procedures, icludig decotamiatio. It is essetial that operatives decotamiate thoroughly each time that they leave the work area, o matter how short the time spet iside the eclosure. Supervisors should moitor compliace with decotamiatio procedures (frequecy ad duratio) to esure that workers do ot develop poor practices or become complacet. I additio, supervisors should esure that o iappropriate items are take ito the hygiee uit, eg filled waste bags, lemoade bottles etc. Figure 8.5 Modular facilities Fial decotamiatio should be carried out, irrespective of the time spet iside the eclosure 8.20 Where operatives are foud ot followig the decotamiatio procedures, cosider retraiig ad/or the istigatio of iteral discipliary procedures. Icomplete or ieffective decotamiatio is a very serious matter ad may cause asbestos exposure for the idividual, colleagues, other workers ad eve family members (see paragraph 8.5). Emergecy procedures 8.21 Arragemets should be made for suitable emergecy procedures to be implemeted i the evet of loss of services to the DCU. Cotigecy plas should be developed for alterative basic decotamiatio procedures usig other facilities o site or by orgaisig the services of aother DCU. These arragemets should be clearly formulated so that workers ad supervisors are aware of the actios to take. Figure 8.6 Vehicle type DCUs The differet types of DCU 8.22 There are various types of DCUs used by cotractors. The commo types are mobile ad modular facilities (see Figures 8.4 ad 8.5 respectively). I additio vehicle type DCUs have bee developed i recet years ad are becomig more popular, particularly o short-duratio jobs (eg soffit removal) ad o sites where security is a issue (see Figure 8.6). Historically, other types of DCUs have also bee used (eg fixed types such as coverted welfare facilities). The miimum desig criteria for differet types of uit are give i Appedix Hygiee uits should be purpose-built ad should oly be used for the decotamiatio of asbestos workers. Additioal welfare facilities such as toilets ad catee facilities will be required to satisfy regulatio 22 of the Costructio (Health, Safety ad Welfare) Regulatios (see also Provisio of welfare facilities at fixed costructio sites). 37 Hygiee uits should ot be used as geeral welfare facilities. It is ulikely that a coverted carava or costructio site welfare hut would be capable of meetig the desig criteria listed i Appedix 8.1 Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 163 of 181

163 Health ad Safety Mobile uits 8.24 For the purposes of this guidace, a mobile uit is a carava-style or re-locatable self-cotaied uit that ca be towed to the site. This type of uit should be used i preferece to modular uits, as they are geerally larger ad therefore provide more space ad comfort for thorough decotamiatio. They are usually available i several sizes to accommodate 2-8 people. Modular uits 8.25 Modular hygiee uits are pael-based systems which eable rapid costructio of the facilities o site. The paels reduce the space required for storage ad trasportatio. Some modular uits ca be assembled i differet cofiguratios (eg straight lie or L-shape) or be exteded to more tha three compartmets. The air extractio uit, the water maagemet system ad the electrical/sockets system are usually positioed outside the hygiee facility The use of such uits ca avoid the eed for trasitig ad mea that the facility ca be attached to the eclosure (via a iterveig space, see paragraph 8.9). There are potetial disadvatages with modular uits, particularly size, itegrity, ad the effectiveess of the water maagemet systems. Ay modular uits that do ot meet the criteria i Appedix 8.1 should ot be used for asbestos removal decotamiatio work. Vehicle uits 8.27 This is a relatively ew desig of uit. It is a self-cotaied, fully idepedet uit that ca be drive directly to the site. Its mobility ad flexibility offer beefits for certai jobs ad situatios, eg short duratio jobs (soffits) ad sites where security is a issue. The vehicle is usually desiged to cotai a storage sectio as well as the DCU. Size may be a issue for this type of uit. It should meet the criteria i Appedix 8.1. The reasos for usig modular uits should be clearly set out i the RA ad method statemet for the job Coectios to services Electrical services 8.28 For the purpose of specifyig the electrical systems, a DCU should be treated i the same way as a carava. The applicable techical stadard for the power distributio system i the uit is BS 7671:2001, 38 with Sectio 608 Divisio 1 providig specific requiremets relatig to istallatios i carava-like structures such as a DCU, ad with Sectio 601 beig applicable to the electrical systems i the shower area of the DCU The supplies to the DCU may be draw from a fixed istallatio or from a geerator ad will typically be sigle phase 230 volts. Uits may operate at 110 volts, commoly supplied from a trasformer with its secodary widigs cetretapped to earth, although there is o specific requiremet for the use of reduced extra low voltage supplies i this particular applicatio. If the itetio is to supply the DCU from a geerator provided by the user, it will be ecessary to check that the voltage, power ratig, earthig ad referecig, overcurret ad earth fault protectio, isolatio, ad emergecy stop features are suitable ad appropriate for the applicatio. If the geerator is o hire, the hirer should provide full istructios o the safe use of the geerator The electrical supply to the uit should be cofigured as a TN-S or TT system, as defied i BS 7671:2001, 38 ad should ot be TN-C-S (also kow as combied eutral/earth or protective multiple earthig). Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 164 of 181

164 Health ad Safety 8.31 Protectio agaist idirect cotact electrical ijury should ormally be provided by earthed equipotetial bodig ad automatic discoectio of supply. I additio to protectio agaist excess curret, the istallatio should have a residual curret protective device, such as a RCD, fitted i the mai cosumer uit or distributio board. The rated residual operatig curret of the device should ot exceed 30 milliamps ad the device should trip withi 40 millisecods for a residual curret of 150 millamps. I those circumstaces where the residual curret device is o the supply to lightig circuits, cosideratio should be give to fittig emergecy lightig i the uit to provide illumiatio i the evet of the supply trippig Before first use, the electrical systems should be ispected ad tested by a competet perso to verify compliace with the stadards. The requiremets for iitial verificatio of the power distributio systems are described i Sectio 2 of the Istitutio of Electrical Egieers (IEE) guidace ote Ispectio ad Testig. 39 Electrical equipmet used i the DCU should be ispected ad tested i accordace with the guidace i the IEE s Code of Practice for I-service Ispectio ad Testig of Electrical Equipmet Whe delivered to site, checks should be made to esure that the power supply is compatible with the DCU. If the itetio is to use a power socket outlet i the user s premises, the earthig cofiguratio ad the voltage, polarity ad earth fault loop impedace at the socket outlet should be checked to esure that they are suitable for the applicatio. This will ormally eed to be doe by a competet perso with specialised skills ad kowledge, such as a electricia. Gas appliaces 8.34 The gas (ormally liquid petroleum gas (LPG)) system eeds to be checked to esure that it is operatig safely. The gas pipework coectios ad boiler ca be damaged durig trasportatio ad use. Therefore, the LPG system ad boiler should be ispected daily ad at the ed of a cotract (hire) ad before the ext use of the DCU. Figure 8.7 Notices o DCU Water supply ad wastewater 8.35 Esure that the water ad wastewater supplies are isulated agaist frost damage. All pipig should have flexible joitig to prevet rupture. Wastewater should be filtered through a high efficiecy filter (specificatio less tha 5 micros). It is essetial to check that there is sufficiet water pressure ad hot water. Provisio of iformatio 8.36 Notices o ad i the hygiee uit ca prevet misuderstadig ad cotiually war people of hazards. Notices should be fixed at each etrace door, clearly idicatig which is the clea ad which is the dirty ed ad prohibitig uauthorised etry (see Figure 8.7). Draiage pipes ad electrical coectios should be labelled. Asbestos: The licesed cotractor s guide Page 165 of 181