Health and Safety for Beginners

by **Bill Durr** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:35 am

Hi folks,
I've not been on for a while, my computer has had a few problem, and I have started a new job.
I am supervising the refurb of a Student Village, and Asbestos has been identified in the Damp Proof Course of the buildings.
The survey states that DPC does not pose a threat to health, as it is in good condition and will not be disturbed during the refurb.
However, we have to have a Management plan in place for regular inspections and future maintenance.
The properties are residential units, but are also a place of work for Security, Maintenance, etc.
Does anyone think I should start an Asbestos Register, and what would a typical Management Plan consist of ?
I've been trawling the internet for a Register to download but cannot find anything.

Please help

Bill Durr

by **Ashanti** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:05 am

A management plan is just a risk assessment which identifies the location of the asbestos and condition with any actions needed to make it safe if it is in an unsafe condition or in a location where it is likely to be damaged. Your survey should have identified what type or types of asbestos you have. It should also have a review date. All you need is something to show that you are managing the risk.

by **Bill Durr** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:07 am

Cheers Ashanti,
what about a register, is one required ?

Bill Durr

by **vesparado** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:41 pm

maybe have a procedure in place , just incase the asbestos is accidentally damaged , ie wear appropiate ppe ( just incase ) and have a vaacum on hand , and train the people in what to do ?

by **otto** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:12 am

The management plan is a requirement of the CA Regs.
It does not have to complicated but has to allow for regular inspection of the ACMs

Direct from Regulation 4 CAR 2006

(8) Where the assessment shows that asbestos is or is liable to be present in any part of the premises the dutyholder shall ensure that—

(a) a determination of the risk from that asbestos is made;
(b) a written plan identifying those parts of the premises concerned is prepared; and
(c) the measures which are to be taken for managing the risk are specified in the written plan.

(9) The measures to be specified in the plan for managing the risk shall include adequate measures for—

(a) monitoring the condition of any asbestos or any substance containing or suspected of containing asbestos;
(b) ensuring any asbestos or any such substance is properly maintained or where necessary safely removed; and
(c) ensuring that information about the location and condition of any asbestos or any such substance is—

(i) provided to every person liable to disturb it, and
(ii) made available to the emergency services.

(10) The dutyholder shall ensure that—

(a) the plan is reviewed and revised at regular intervals, and forthwith if—
(i) there is reason to suspect that the plan is no longer valid, or
(ii) there has been a significant change in the premises to which the plan relates;

(b) the measures specified in the plan are implemented; and
(c) the measures taken to implement the plan are recorded.

It is simply not good enough to do what vesperado has suggested, in this case you will get into big trouble - if you lack the expertise yourself get expert advice - Asbestos is unpleasant stuff and HSE do not take prisoners where asbestos is concerned.

Paragraph 47 of L143 (The ACoP to CAR 2006) - refers:

47 Owners and occupiers of non-domestic premises, who have maintenance and repair responsibilities for those premises, have a duty to assess them for the presence of asbestos and the condition of that asbestos. Where asbestos is present the dutyholder must ensure that the risk from the asbestos is assessed, that a written plan identifying where that asbestos is located is prepared and that measures to manage the risk from the asbestos are set out in that plan and are implemented. Other parties have a legal duty to co-operate with the dutyholder.

There is a seperate ACoP for the management of Asbestos in non domestic premises L127, I would strongly suggest that you get a copy.
Hope this helps
Otto

by **Asbestos Man** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 12:44 pm

Otto is quite correct. Basically any non-domestic premises built before 2000 require an asbestos register and management plan and L127 in the ACOPfor managment. However if you are managing a refurb I would also recommend L143 (Work with Asbestos containing materials).

Ashanti wrote:A management plan is just a risk assessment which identifies the location of the asbestos and condition with any actions needed to make it safe if it is in an unsafe condition or in a location where it is likely to be damaged. Your survey should have identified what type or types of asbestos you have. It should also have a review date. All you need is something to show that you are managing the risk.

I would presume you have had a Type 3 survey prior to the refurb starting, if that is the case your survey report won't have a next inspection date. (If that isn't the case you could have a bit of a problem). However, bitumen DPC is the lowest of the low in terms of asbestos risk, so it would only require reinspection once a year and that will more than likely be a case of walking around the building to see it has been disturbed. Bitumen DPC is extremely unlikely to release asbestos fibre and there is some argument at the moment as to if they should be included in management surveys and registers, but at the moment they must be.

As for a register, a spread sheet stating where it is, its conditon, likelyhood of distrubance and last inspection date along with a site plan showing the location of the DPC is all you really need. Then if someone is likely to come into contact with the DPC during works on the site this information should be made availble to them and a record any work that comes into contact with the DPC should be made.