ASBESTOS POLICY

Policy & Detail / Cross References
POLICY / To ensure that staff, students and others are protected, so far as is reasonably practicable, against the risk of contracting asbestos-related diseases arising from exposure to asbestos-containing materials in University premises. / See Definitions,
Responsibility for Implementation / Director of Facilities (The Duty Holder)
Specific tasks may be delegated to appropriate and experienced staff. / See Definitions,
Standards / 1 / The Duty Holder must:
• Assess whether premises contain any asbestos-containing materials, how much there is of it, its condition and location
• Presume any suspect unknown materials are asbestos-containing materials (or ‘ACMs’)
• Make and keep an up-to-date record of the location and condition of ACMs/presumed ACMs
• Assess the risks from ACMs
• Prepare a management plan
• Implement the plan
• Monitor and review the plan
• Provide information on the location and condition of the ACMs
At the University this recording will take the form of an Asbestos Register maintained by the Facilities Directorate.
Note:
The requirement is to “manage” asbestos and there is no compulsion to carry out surveys, but where these are to be carried out these must only be done by organisations accredited and approved by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) / See Definitions,
2 / At the University because of the possibility of ACMs being present within the fabric and sealed areas of some of our buildings, the following standards apply:
  • NO building work of any kind should take place within any building without the prior agreement of the Facilities Directorate (Head of Estates Development or Estates Officer)
  • NO access to confined spaces by any staff, student, contractor or other member of the public is permitted without the prior agreement of the Facilities Directorate (contact roles as above)
/ See Definitions,
3 / In order to minimise the discovery or exposure of ACMs, all Deans and Directors are responsible for ensuring that the standards in respect of building work and confined spaces (as in 2 above) are adhered to in any area(s) within their control.
4 / Deans and Directors must also notify the Duty Holder when the existence of any suspected asbestos-containing materials is notified.
5 / Where a material is suspected to contain asbestos, it must be protected from damage and, where possible, left undisturbed until examined.
On receipt of a notification, the duty holder must arrange to have the suspected ACMs examined.
(See the following for advice on what to do if the presence of ACMs is suspected )
6 / Where exposure to asbestos cannot be prevented entirely, exposures need to be controlled as far as is reasonably practicable
7 / Assessing the risk:
The follow risk assessment should apply:
• If ACMs are in good condition:
-leave in place, and
-introduce a management system
• If ACMs are in poor condition:
-seal it or enclose it, or
-remove it.
In both instances a written action plan should be in place.
Assessing the risk: Action
When ACMs are to remain in premises the university will
-Inform others of their location and condition,
-carry out regular checks on the condition of the materials, and
-review and revise the plan and update the asbestos record as necessary
8 / Asbestos Awareness training is required for:
• All staff* liable to be exposed to asbestos fibres at work.
All Health and Safety representatives.
*At the University this will include Maintenance and other Facilities staff who by their work activities are exposed to the greatest potential risk. In addition, all other Faculties/Directorates and the SU will be invited to send staff to attend which is expected to include Faculty Technicians and in the case of the SU their premises staff.
See the following HSE advice on what information the training should provide:

The University will also provide HSE (or other literature as appropriate) for staff. / See Additional Information
Definitions / ‘Asbestos’
Asbestos is the collective term given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous, or "asbestiform", varieties of several silicate minerals characterised by their strength and insulation qualities
The three main types used in the UK are:
• Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
• Amosite (brown asbestos)
• Chrysotile (white asbestos)
‘Asbestos-related diseases’
Hazardous exposure is from the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibres. These present a long-term risk to health from the following diseases:
• mesothelioma (which is always fatal)
• lung cancer (almost always fatal)
• asbestosis (not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating)
• diffuse pleural thickening (not fatal)
Effects from such inhalation may not be apparent for 15 – 60 years after exposure starts, but the risk increases with:
• the type of asbestos fibre
• the younger a person is when exposure starts
• the number of fibres inhaled
• the number of times a person is exposed
• whether the person smokes
Asbestos is responsible for around 4000 deaths a year and is the single largest cause of work-related deaths.
‘Asbestos containing materials’ (ACMs)
Products including asbestos combined with many different materials including cement, plastics, paper and bitumen.
The risks presented by asbestos depend on the quantity, friability, type of material, percentage of asbestos contained and degree of disturbance.
Examples of ACMs include:
Asbestos cement
Textured coatings
Floor tiles, fabrics and composites
Sprayed coatings on ceilings/walls and beams or columns
Insulating Board
Lagging
Loose asbestos in ceilings or cavities.
‘Building Work’
Any temporary or permanent alteration to ground surfaces, floors, walls and wall coverings, doors, ceilings or roofs which involves physical access to the structure or fabric of the building i.e. drilling into solid or panel walls, removal of wall panels, ceiling panels, hatches or enclosed boxed or compartmented pipework.
‘Confined Spaces’
any place which is substantially if not entirely enclosed where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby. This includes roof and other voids and under floor ducts.
Full details can be found at:

‘The Duty Holder’
The person who has clear responsibility for the maintenance or repair of University premises.
Legislation / ‘Control of Asbestos Regulations’ 2006
‘Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations’ 1999
‘Workplace health, safety and welfare. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations’ 1992.
Additional Information / Work with materials containing asbestos
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
Approved Code of Practice and guidance, L143
HSE Books 2006 ISBN 0 7176 6206 3
A comprehensive guide to managing asbestos in premises HSG227 HSE Books 2002 ISBNO 7176 2381 5
Introduction to asbestos essentials: Comprehensive guidance on working with asbestos in the building maintenance and allied trades
HSG213 HSE Books 2001 ISBNO 7176 1901 X
The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises. Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. Approved Code of Practice and
Guidance, LI27 (Second edition)
HSE Books 2006 ISBN 0 7176 6209 8
Asbestos essentials task manual: Task guidance sheets for the building maintenance and allied trades HSG210
HSE Books 2003 ISBN 0 7176 1887 0
Asbestos essentials task sheets for tasks that can be carried out without the need for a licence, also advice on equipment and methods, can be found at:

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and guidance L21 (Second edition)
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 2488 9
Workplace health, safety and welfare. Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations Approved Code of Practice, L24
HSE Books 1992 ISBN 0 7176 0413 6
A short guide to managing asbestos in premises INDG223 (rev3) HSE Books 2003
HSE – Asbestos

Policy Review Date / Approved by H&S Committee 18th May 2011
Review: 2 Years after initial approval

Approved by H&SC May 2011

(H&S Office Policy Reference Number HSP11)