Asbestos Policy
Introduction
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, found in many areas of the world. Typically, asbestos was used as fire separation in buildings, an insulator on steam pipework or to add strength to other materials, such as cement sheet. Most usage of asbestos was limited to three types in the UK:
Chrysotile – a fine, silky, flexible white to grey/green fibre.
Amosite – a straight, brittle, light grey to pale brown fibre.
Crocidolite – a straight, flexible blue fibre.
The generic term used to describe asbestos products or materials is ‘asbestos containing material’ (ACM).
It is often difficult to determine the presence of asbestos as many other fibrous materials, including man-made alternatives, closely resemble asbestos on visual inspection. The only certain method of identifying whether a material contains asbestos is to have it analysed using specialist techniques.
The inhalation of asbestos fibres is known to cause a range of serious ill health effects, which may not occur until a long time after exposure. The Health and Safety Executive suggest that asbestos-related diseases currently kill more people than any other single work-related cause.
The importation, supply, use and re-use of ACM is now banned in the UK. Existing ACMs in locations that are in good order and well maintained do not pose a health risk, unless someone cuts drills, abrades or removes the materials, releasing fibres into the atmosphere.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 define the approach to asbestos in the workplace. They state that it is essential to identify, assess and control asbestos and that this responsibility falls to those who are in control of non-domestic premises. In the clear majority of cases, only licensed contractors can work on ACM.
The Company shall use this document to guide the identification, control and reduction of risks associated with the control of asbestos at work, in premises occupied and controlled by the Company or controlled by others where Company employees may undertake work on their premises.
Control of Asbestos
The Company shall ensure that ACMs are identified in locations under Company control, assess the risk from the material, decide what action, if any, is to be taken to control the risk and provide information to those who may need it.
Where employees visit other sites to undertake work that may disturb the fabric of the building, there is a need to undertake a risk assessment before starting work. Part of that assessment is to liaise with the building occupier to establish the presence of ACMs.
Stage 1 | Establish if there is asbestos in the premises, its amount and what condition it is in, by referring to available information |
Stage 2 | Presume that materials contain asbestos, unless there is strong evidence that they do not |
Stage 3 | Make and keep up to date a record of the location and condition of confirmed or presumed ACMs on the premises |
Stage 4 | Assess the risk from the material |
Stage 5 | Prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from the material will be managed and take steps needed to put the plan into action |
Stage 6 | Provide information on the location and condition of the material to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb ACMs |
Stage 7 | Request details from clients regarding ACMs at the location of where our employees will be carrying out work |
Stage 8 | Undertake risk assessments and liaise with occupiers at premises where employees may undertake work on the fabric of the building |
Stage 9 | Monitor the plan and the arrangements |
Stage 10 | Audit the plan and the arrangements |
Stage 11 | Review the plan and the arrangements |
The Company shall control asbestos at work by using the following staged approach:
Stage 1 – Identification of ACMs
The Company shall identify all premises under their control.
They shall use available information to identify ACMs in the premises under their control, its amount and what condition it is in. Appropriate sources of information may include:
The landlord.
Site and/or architects plans.
Records of previous asbestos surveys.
Assessment of the age of the building (use of asbestos in construction was prohibited after 1999)
Commission of new asbestos surveys, conducted by a competent person(s).
Stage 2 – Presumption of Asbestos
Where it is not obvious or possible to confirm its presence, the Company shall presume that a material is an ACM.
Stage 3 – Records
Having undertaken the initial assessment, the Company shall make and keep up-to-date, accurate records of where ACMs are in the premises.
Stage 4 – Assessment
The Company shall assess the potential risk arising from the position and state in which the material has been discovered.
The Company shall ensure that only persons who are competent will undertake the assessment. This may include employees or external expertise.
Stage 5 – Prepare a Plan
Based on the assessment, the Company shall prepare a plan which determines how the ACM will be treated and controlled and how the information will be given to those who need it and if any labelling is required.
The plan shall be used to ensure that work on ACM’s is only undertaken by competent persons; usually this will require the use of a licensed contractor(s). Some very minor work on ACMs may be undertaken by unlicensed persons but this should be agreed by a competent person before proceeding.
Stage 6 – Provision of Information
The Company shall ensure that records on asbestos are brought to the attention of anyone who may need the information to ensure their health and safety, e.g. contractors or the emergency services.
Stage 7 – Work at Other Premises
The Company shall undertake risk assessments before commencing work on the fabric of a building under the control of a third party. The assessment process will include agreement to co-operation between parties and provision of information on ACMs that may be present at the location.
Stage 8 – Risk Assessment
The Company shall assess the potential risk arising from the position and state in which the material has been discovered.
Stage 9 – Monitor
The Company shall regularly monitor the state of any ACMs left in place.
Stage 10 – Audit
The Company shall regularly audit the premises to ensure that this policy remains valid, it will allow the company to decide on further actions regarding ACMs onsite.
Stage 10 – Review
The Company shall review the ACMs management plan periodically and put measures in place to ensure that everyone is protected against the ACMs onsite.
Signature ……………………………………………………………………….
Name ……………………………………………………………………………
Date ………………………….