How to deal with released asbestos
There have recently been a number of high-profile cases which saw businesses prosecuted for failing to deal with asbestos that had been released on their premises. To help you to avoid following suit, why not use our new checklist?
It shouldn’t happen, but...
In theory, asbestos should never be released into the atmosphere accidentally. If you’ve done everything properly, you should have had a full survey of your premises completed, an asbestos register and put up appropriate signage to warn staff that asbestos may be present. Collectively, these measures should stop asbestos from being broken up and the hazardous fibres being released into the atmosphere. However, as a number of recent cases have proved, these control measures are not fail-safe. Asbestos could be hidden within a wall and not picked up by a surveyor, or a contractor could ignore signs, registers etc. So, if it happens on your site, what should you do?
Detailed instruction
To help you deal with this potentially dangerous situation, we’ve created a brand new document - Accidental release of asbestos instructions. It’s in two parts, the first deals with preventing such an incident; the second covers what to do if it does escape.
Part one
The best way of preventing such an incident is by ensuring that those whose work has the potential to release asbestos are suitably competent. You should also have firm rules in place which reduce the risks.
Note. Those likely to disturb asbestos include maintenance staff, building contractors, plumbers etc. - basically anyone who is going to drill into or knock down walls, move pipes etc.
Questions and rules. The first part of our document prompts you to ensure that staff have been trained. Where there’s any chance of asbestos being released, exploratory work should be completed, and appropriate protective equipment made available.
Part two
If your control measures fail and asbestos is released, then you’ll need part two of our document. It covers the following:
• Secure the area. It’s vital that you don’t take any chances. If you think that asbestos may have been disturbed, the affected area must be sealed off. This includes closing doors, windows, shutting down ventilation systems and putting “No entry” signs on the doors.
• Call in the experts. The next step is to call in a licensed asbestos contractor. They will be able to identify whether asbestos is present and then remove/repair it.
• Report it. If the experts confirm that asbestos has been released, then you must report it to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. Our document includes details of how to do this.
Tip. Don’t report anything until you have it confirmed by the asbestos contractor. Even if it’s identified as a false alarm, making a call is almost certain to prompt a visit from a local inspector.
For our brand new sample accidental release of asbestos instructions document, visit http://healthandsafety.indicator.co.uk (HS 08.09.05).
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