SOUTHBANK PLACE Asbestos Removal (Brief Guide)

Transcription

1 SOUTHBANK PLACE Asbestos Removal (Brief Guide) The removal of asbestos is regulated by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and is only undertaken by licensed contractors. The licensing procedures are a permission regime and are in addition to the general framework of health and safety law. The license process is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Other examples of permissioning regime are Nuclear Installations and Railways. The work on the Southbank Place project is being undertaken by McGee Demolition who currently hold a three year license ( the longest duration permitted) issued by the HSE. All works have been notified to the HSE using an ASB5 form, which was sent to the HSE, as required by the regulations, 14 days prior to the commencement of all notifiable works. All works are being carried out in compliance with the requirements set out in the Control of Asbestos Regulations Only competent workers and managers, provided with suitable information, instruction and training and using appropriate respiratory and other protective equipment, are being used to undertake the asbestos removal work. All operatives are briefed on company removal procedures and they are briefed on the controlled methods on a daily basis to reflect the varying types/ products of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) that require safe removal on this project. These briefings are carried out by contractors supervisors. Each worker has their own medical records & face-fit test for respiratory protection equipment (RPE) and all have current annual refresher training.

2 Enclosures The working areas are enclosed, and all openings such as windows, doors and ventilation sealed to prevent the escape of hazardous fibres. Negative pressure units (NPU s) are used to manage air flow and to also prevent the escape of hazardous fibres. Regular checks of NPU s using anemometers are carried out to ensure they are working to full capacity at all times, replacements are readily available in case of failure Two separate three stage airlock systems are attached to each enclosure wall, one of which will be designated for access/egress of personnel and the second for waste removal. Sheeting used to cover the working area will be a minimum of 1000 gauge (250 microns) polythene. Prior to any asbestos removal work starting the enclosure is smoke tested to ensure its integrity which will be witnessed by independent analyst as well as asbestos supervisor for that particular area. Each enclosure also has viewing panels and CCTV to allow those outside to inspect the work to ensure the safe working methods agreed in the risk assessments and method statements are being followed. Airlock

3 CCTV monitoring system Vision panel

4 Decontamination Units and Hygiene Facilities Each operative must decontaminate after coming into contact with hazardous materials in order to prevent contamination outside the enclosure. Masks are wet wiped with wet sponges and operatives use Type H vacuums to clean their protective coveralls (red) and work boots before removing them in a controlled area and exiting the enclosure. These are then exchanged for a set of clean coveralls (white) and transit shoes which are worn to the decontamination area. Thus, the contaminated coveralls always remain in the safety of the enclosure and are bagged as contaminated waste after each shift. When the operative leaves the enclosure they go straight to the dirty end of the decontamination unit where they will remove their transit coveralls and shoes before entering the middle stage (shower) keeping their mask on until they are wetted. Each operative cleans the mask as part of showering process, shampoo and nail brushes are a minimum requirement in each unit. On completion of showering they will enter the clean area where they will use disposable towels to dry themselves and then put on normal clothes. They leave the decontamination unit after putting their mask on charge and carrying out the relevant checks. Decontamination Unit

5 Negative Pressure and Vacuum Cleaners To control the removal of asbestos fibres, negative pressure units (NPU s) with a High Efficiency Particle Absolute (HEPA) filter is connected. All vacuum cleaners are also fitted with a HEPA filter, and are checked daily and tested every 6 months for worthiness. Air Monitoring In order to ensure that all asbestos fibres have been removed from the enclosure, airborne fibre levels are measured upon completion of the work. These measurements are undertaken by an independent approved testing laboratory. If the levels of fibres per millilitre are below the clearance indicator of 0.01fb/ml, the enclosure can be removed and area returned to normal use. Regular background readings are taken outside of all work areas as well as regular personal monitoring within enclosure. There are 2 full time independent analysts working on the Southbank Place project Removal and Disposal The method of asbestos removal involves wet stripping and injection of all asbestos materials to minimise dust and fibre dispersion. Once removed, the waste and debris is immediately placed into red asbestos bags and sealed, before being moved into the bagging airlock where it is sprayed and sealed inside a second bag, known as double-bagging, before transit to a sealed, lockable skip. This skip is finally transferred following the special waste consignment note procedure to a licensed waste disposal landfill site. Once the bulk of asbestos is cleared, fine cleaning is carried out with vacuum cleaners/ wet cloths to ensure that all traces of asbestos fibres are removed. Both the contractors supervisor and the independent analyst carry out visual checks of each enclosure before air testing to ensure it is dust / debris free. Once the enclosure is removed a second visual check as well as additional air test is carried out prior to releasing the area back for normal operations.