Asbestos management

Managing asbestos, or co-operating with whoever manages the risk, is a legal responsibility for all who own, occupy, manage or have responsibility for non-domestic properties which may contain asbestos containing materials.

Those who have responsibility for managing the risk need to identify and assess (through asbestos survey ) any asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and subsequently to manage such ACMs.

Asbestos management requires the following actions:-

Assessing the presence of asbestos containing material in your premises, the amount of such material and the condition it’s in
Assuming that materials contain asbestos unless you are sure they do not
Creating and maintaining a record of the location and condition of the material (confirmed or presumed)
Assessing the level of risk from the material
Creating and maintaining a plan for managing the risk
Implementing your plan
Reviewing and monitoring the plan and its execution
Providing information on the material – location, type, condition, etc. to anyone who is likely to work on it or otherwise disturb it

Crossways Environmental can assist you in all aspects of asbestos management.

Crossways will clearly identify where removal is necessary, but where the material can be contained through such as asbestos encapsulation or where the material presents no risk, this also will be clearly stated in order that you do not incur unnecessary expenditure.

Crossways will maintain your asbestos management records using ENVACS and these can be made readily available to people required to work on your premises and who may come into contact with or disturb asbestos containing materials.

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Updated Asbestos Regulations

13th Nov. 2006

See the HSE Website for full details. Other helpful sites - Herbert Smith and ARCA .
In summary, aspects relating to Crossways' services:-

Three sets of regulations covering the control of asbestos at work, the prohibition of the use of asbestos and the licensing of asbestos have been brought together
There's a new, single lower limit on the level of asbestos fibres in air - which should not be exceeded, as far as is reasonably practicable
The control measures which must be adhered to if the level of asbestos in the air exceeds an "action" level have been replaced. In particular, the regulations covering the requirement for a licence to work on certain asbestos containing materials have changed, for example, textured decorative coatings and paints
Regulations covering worker exposure to asbestos have been amended
The method for the counting of (asbestos) fibres has been changed
There is an increase in the requirement for training for workers likely to be exposed to asbestos, or who supervise such workers
Asbestos cement is to be identified by a water absorption test, described in the regulations
If an employer uses his own employees on his own premises he is no longer exempt from the requirements of the regulations
From April 2007, accreditation is required to ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 for those organisations carrying out 4-stage clearance / issuing clearance certificates for re-occupation after asbestos work.
Note also:-
No asbestos containing material may be imported, supplied or used
Bans are maintained on blue, brown and white asbestos
No asbestos containing material may be re-used, nor sold nor given away for re-use
If existing asbestos containing materials are in good condition, they may be left undisturbed, but must be monitored

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Asbestos management, part of the portfolio of services from Crossways Environmental Services

Regulatory History

In 1985 brown (amosite) and blue (crocidolite) asbestos were banned from and from supply and restrictions were placed on the use and supply of white asbestos (chrysotile). During the next ten years, the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) amended the existing asbestos regulations, based on the results of further research.

In 1999 white asbestos (chrysotile) was prohibited in all building materials and in the majority of other applications.

The Control at Work Regulations of 1987 was amended in 2002 and the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 published. This requires asbestos management on your part.

There is ongoing discussion on the whether or not there is the same level of risk associated with white asbestos and in particular such asbestos containing materials as Artex. Crossways keeps abreast of such discussions and will advise you accordingly.
See New Regulations summary.