Version No. / 1.3 / Policy Owner / Executive Director of Human Resources
Superseded version / Approved 2007 V1.0
Minor amends to V1.1 2014, V1.2 2016 / Author Role Title / Health & Safety Adviser
Approval Date / 8th March 2007
Reviewed March 2018 / Approved by / EPC
Effective Date / 8th March 2017 / Review Date / March 2019
Asbestos Policy
1. Statement of Intent
1.1In order to prevent any harmful exposure of asbestos within property under its control, Teesside University will comply with all legislation and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance when dealing with asbestos.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, which can be amphibole asbestos which includes crocidolite (blue) and amosite (brown) asbestos, or serpentine asbestos which is chrysotile (white) asbestos, which is present in a number of material forms.
2.Responsibility of Estates Staff
2.1The Estates Division within Campus Facilities has the sole responsibility tomanage the removal or the treatment of asbestos in situ, and to record the locations of all known asbestos in the Asbestos Register. The appropriate processes to carry out all such work involving asbestos are detailed in the Division's Asbestos Management Plan.
3. Responsibility of Staff Planning any Work on the Structure or Fabric of Buildings
3.1 Prior to the start of any work being undertaken on the fabric or structure of a University building, a 'Permission to undertake Minor Development Work or the issue of a Permit to Work Form' must be completed and submitted to the Estates Division, enabling the Estates Division to confirm whether there is any asbestos in the location. As asbestos could be present at the proposed site of work which may require removal or treatment by a Licensed Asbestos Contractor and involvement of the Health and Safety Executive, in order to avoid incurring any delay if the work is time critical it is recommended that this form is submitted at least 28 days before work is to be undertaken.
3.2 Where asbestos is found to be present, either an alternative work plan must be sought that will not cause harmful exposure to asbestos, or where no alternative means are available, then any work involving asbestos must be undertaken by a Licensed Asbestos Company appointed by the Estates Division.
4.Accidental Disturbance of Asbestos
4.1In the event of work being undertaken which results in the unplanned disturbance of asbestos, all work in the area of the disturbance must stop and the area be secured, following which the Estates Division and the Health and Safety Centre must be informed and an Asbestos Incident Report Form (available from the Estates Division) completed.
5.Asbestos Procedures
5.1The implementation of the Asbestos Policy is undertaken in accordance with the Asbestos Management Plan of the Estates Division of the Department of Campus Facilities. Copies are available from the Estates Office.
S:\PER\ADMIN\POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS - 2007\HR Related Policies Procedures\Asbestos Policy.doc