THE ASBESTOS RISK

Asbestos is only a risk to health if asbestos fibres are released into the air and breathed in. Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos related diseases, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest lining. The number of people dying for asbestos related diseases is expected to go on rising for the next ten years, as the disease takes along time to develop after exposure. There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases. Only by reducing unprotected exposures to asbestos will the death toll eventually reduce.

Much of the asbestos used is combined with other materials to produce Asbestos Containing Material (ACM’s) products. The type of ACM, the amount of it and its condition will determine its potential to release asbestos fibres into the air, if disturbed. The condition of ACMs can be considered by addressing a series of

questions:

  • Is the surface of the material damaged, frayed or scratched?
  • Are the surface sealants peeling or breaking off?
  • Is the material becoming detached from its base? (This is a particular problem with pipe and boiler lagging and sprayed coatings)
  • Are protective coverings, designed to protect the material, missing or damaged?
  • Is there asbestos dust or debris from damage near the material?

If the asbestos-containing materials at your premises are in poor condition, arrangements will have to be made to have the ACM’s repaired or have them sealed, enclosed or removed, by AIA approved contractors.

THE ASBESTOS PRECAUTIONS:

If workers/contractors do have to work on materials containing asbestos you must make sure that they know they are working with asbestos and what precautions they should take, as follows:

Make sure that they are:

  • Suitably trained and informed about the hazards of asbestos, the necessary precautions and the safe working methods which are to be used.
  • Aware of the location and condition of the asbestos or ACM’s in the working area.
  • Aware of the findings of the asbestos risk assessment and any air monitoring performed, including the OEL (Occupational Exposure Levels)
  • Instructed in the correct use of the personal protective equipment provided and especially on the respiratory protection use, its limitations and respiratory zones.

Aware that the employer has to establish and maintain records of all assessments, air monitoring, medical surveillance (with restricted viewing access) and asbestos inventory records, which can be reviewed by any person on request.

THE INSTITUTE OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT, THE PROFESSIONAL BODY OF CHOICE FOR THE

DISCERNING OCCUPATIONALSAFETY PRACTITIONER