/ GenericRisk Assessment – Part A / Version 7
May 2008
Assessment summary details / Reference: / JSS2
Division / Journalism / Departments / Newsgathering, TV and Radio Programmes, Online, Nations & Regions news programmes, Global News Division.
Series / Production / Unit / Journalism Safety Series for gathering newsand news programme work on location / Programme / Area / All newsgathering work on location for BBC News programmes including multimedia productions e.g. TV, Radio and Online.
Responsible Manager
Address / tel. / BBC Journalism Board
BBC Safety Journalism Team / Contact office
Address / tel. / BBC Safety. Internal: 0464
External: +44(0) 370 411 0464
Date assessment created / Series created May 2008 / Sign-off status / Corporate GenericRisk Assessments
Risk assessment title
Simple name for reference purposes / Asbestos
Outline of risk assessment
Summary of what is proposed
Overall risk level (when all controls are in place) / Teams may be exposed if setting up or working on location disturbs fibresthat can be inhaled. News location teams generally do not interfere with buildings; their visits are usually short with wire runs only between BBC equipment brought on site.
Low / Medium  / High
Assessment start date / May 2009 / Review / End date / May 2010
Country location / UK and International / Hostile / travel advisory? / If location at which the activity takes place is in a HE or travel advisory area, further risk assessment and consultation with BBC Safety must take place.
Location details / Variable
Key crew / team
Roles,responsibilities, competencies / Individuals working at News locations are responsible for acting safely at all times in regard to their own safety, that of their colleagues and the general public. Including Producers, Directors, Broadcast Journalists, Camera Journalists, Researchers, Correspondents, Presenters, Technical support staff and other staff.
Attachments
Upload supporting documents /
Assessor
Person drafting risk assessment / Newsgathering and SafetyJSG Team / Assessor safety competence / Chartered Safety Practitioners (CIOSH) and experienced News location managers.
Authoriser / Job role
Person responsible for sign-off / Stephen Gregory
Head of BBC Production Safety / Date signed-off / May 2008
Distribution
Who gets a copy of the assessment / Assessment is communicated through Journalism Safety Guide [JSG] and is available on BBC Gateway site.
Comments log
Who by / Date / time received / Comments / Assessor response / Date/ time responded
Louise Bisdee / June 09 / Risk rating added and light revision in line with 2nd Ed of JSG / Incorporated into risk assessment / June 2009

1

/ Risk Assessment Form – Part B / Version 7
May 2008
What are you doing? / Who is involved? / How could people get ill / injured? / How are you going to prevent thishappening?
Activity title:
Asbestos / Journalists, programme makers, staff and freelancers. / Accidental contact with respirable fibres may lead (over a long period) to fibrosis and other asbestos related disease. / When planning work at a location that involves pulling cables through roof voids/ceilings/walls, accessing boiler or plant rooms or drilling into walls:
  • Get permission and briefing session from the site manager / owner occupier with special emphasis on any asbestos containing materials on site.
  • Information about asbestos should be available from the person in charge of the site (UK premises are required by law to have a record of asbestos in an Asbestos File including how it is safely controlled).
  • If working with or potentially disturbing asbestos a separate risk assessment is required.
  • Avoid disturbing (kicking, picking up or turning over), drilling into or leaning against any materials that may release fibres.
  • Be ready to identify and respect any asbestos labels (pictures in JSG)
  • Involve BBC Safety Adviser if any questions.They can help contact the BBC Asbestos Management Team if presence of asbestos is confirmed or likely - they will advise on reasonable precautions: 07885 962682

Description:
Accidental contact with asbestos fibres on location / Accidental contact with asbestos or fibreglass fibres from fire / building collapse /
  • Position away and upwind from smoke / debris cloud.
  • Avoid breathing smoke and dust.
  • Use FFP3 mask to get out of area if breathing in smoke (this is not to enable longer stays in smoky area – only to escape).
  • If a small amount of dust/ debris is present on clothing (e.g. dust on sleeve, shoe etc) – remove with a wet wipe.
  • If a large amount of contamination is present on clothing. Wear FFP3 mask (if available), wipe down with damp rags/ wet wipes, undress and shower. Place clothes into a plastic bag and seal.
  • All contaminated clothing should be either disposed of as asbestos waste or sent to specialist laundry.
  • Decontaminate broadcast equipment and kit with a wet wipe.
  • Contaminated wet wipes should be placed in a plastic bag and disposed of as asbestos waste.
  • Contact Safety Adviser and HR if you believe you have been exposed to asbestos.

Limitations / restrictions:
A pre activity recce is not always practical; so teams must make additional ‘on the spot’ decisions when on location and tell the RO or deployer of increased risks and any new controls.
This risk assessment does not cover work in known asbestos hazard areas, construction work or asbestos mines.

Action Plan:

Communicate results of risk assessment through Journalism Safety Guide.

1