Asbestos Awareness Session

Asbestos Awareness Session

• What is asbestos?• Why is asbestos

dangerous?• Where is asbestos

found in buildings?

• Am I at risk?• What does the

law require?

What is Asbestos?

• Name given to a group of six fibrous minerals;

• Found naturally in many parts of the world;

• Produced mainly in Russia, Canada and China.

Main Types of Asbestos

• Chrysotile (White)

• Amosite (Brown)

• Crocidolite (Blue)

How does asbestos get into the body?

Why is Asbestos Dangerous?

Asbestos can cause:

• Asbestosis;

• Lung Cancer;

• Mesothelioma.

Additional Health Information

• Asbestos-related diseases are currently responsible for about 3000 deaths a year;

• These diseases can take from 15 to 60 years to develop from first exposure;

• Many of those suffering today from asbestos-related diseases worked in the building maintenance trades.

Lung Cancer

Non smoker - Non asbestos worker

--------------------------------

Non smoker - Asbestos worker

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Smoker - Non asbestos worker

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Smoker - Asbestos worker

Risk Factor

----------

1

----------

x5

----------

x11

----------

x53

Where is asbestos found in buildings?

• Loose asbestos;

• Sprayed (limpet) asbestos;

• Lagging;

• Asbestos insulating board;

• Asbestos cement products;

• Other products.

How do I know if I am at risk?

• Identification of asbestos materials is not easy and you can only be sure if it has been tested by a specialist laboratory.

• If you come across any hidden or dusty materials which you suspect may contain asbestos, STOP WORK AND GET ADVICE!

What does the law require? (1)

• The Control of Asbestos at Work.

• Approved Codes of Practice.

• HSE Guidance

What does the law require? (2)

People in control of premises must:

• Carry out a Survey;• Presume materials contain

asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not;

• Make and keep up to date a register;

• Assess the risk from the ACM’s;• Prepare a plan• Provide information

Types of survey

• Management Survey;

• Demolition / Refurbishment Survey;

Assess the risk

• How likely is it that people will be exposed to asbestos fibres, consider:

• The type of ACM;

• How much ACM is present;

• The condition of the ACM;

• If the ACM is in a position where it is likely to be disturbed.

Remove it or leave it? (1)

If the asbestos is:

• in good condition; and• is not likely to be damaged ;

and• is not likely to be worked on or

disturbed;

• It is usually safer to leave it in place and manage it.

Remove it or leave it? (2)

• If the asbestos is in poor condition or is likely to be damaged or disturbed a decision will have to be made about whether it should be repaired, sealed, enclosed or removed;

• Work on asbestos insulation, asbestos insulating board and lagging, including sealing and removal should normally be done by a contractor licensed by the HSE.

Recognising ACM - Loose Asbestos Insulation

• In some fire doors• Acoustic insulation

between floors• Packed around

electrical cables• Thermal insulation

mattresses

Recognising ACM - Sprayed Asbestos Coatings

• Loose asbestos mixed with Portland cement and water.

• Sprayed onto ceilings as fireproofing, sound and thermal insulation.

• Vulnerable to accidental damage.

• 55%-85% asbestos content

Recognising ACM - Thermal Insulation

• Used for the thermal insulation of pipes, boilers and heat exchangers.

• Preformed sections covered with calico or sealed with a hard plaster.

• Asbestos containing plaster known as `Muck` particularly for joints, bends or small sections of pipe and repairs.

Recognising ACM - Asbestos Insulating Board

• Widely used in buildings for internal partition walls and linings;

• Suspended ceiling tiles often made from AIB;

• Fire doors often faced with AIB to achieve appropriate fire rating

• Areas around lift shafts• Stairwells and service

risers often lined or faced with AIB.

Recognising ACM - Asbestos Papers, Felts and

Cardboard

• Widely used to line the surfaces of other boards, ceiling tiles, sheet materials and insulation.

Recognising ACM - Asbestos Textiles

• Tapes and ropes

• Fire blankets

• Fire curtains

• Fire resistant clothing

• Asbestos content in above items approaching 100%

Recognising ACM - Asbestos Gaskets, Washers and

Strings

• Pipe and valve joint gaskets may contain up to 90% asbestos.

• Asbestos string was widely used by plumbers for sealing screw threaded joints.

• Strings and ropes can contain approaching 100% asbestos.

Recognising ACM - Asbestos Cement

• Usually contains 10% - 15% asbestos fibres bound in Portland cement

• Extensively used throughout the 20th century.

• Corrugated / profile sheets.

• Flat sheets used for both interior and exterior cladding.

• Also used for rainwater goods, flue pipes, etc.

Recognising ACM - Plastics

•Floor Tiles

•Step Nosings

•Toilet Cisterns

•Sink Pads

Location of ACM’s at Calderdale College

• Plans are displayed on the wall in room C03 showing the locations of all known ACM’s.

• The asbestos register (kept in room C06) gives detailed information about the ACM’s including photographs.

ACM’s Still Present in College Buildings (1)

• Asbestos insulation residue and debris in the under floor spaces on the Princess Mary Site.

• Asbestos string securing insulation on pipes above suspended ceilings (various locations on PWC site).

• Asbestos seal on science laboratory oven door.• Asbestos cement pipe F&G Floor ladies toilets.• Asbestos insulation board duct covers in the

PWC North Stairway on A Floor and roof level.• There could be asbestos in old electrical fuse

boxes.

ACM’s Still Present in College Buildings (2)

• Asbestos insulation board ceiling tiles at roof level of PWC North Stairway.

• Asbestos containing vinyl floor tiles in store room by Library and in ADC tea room.

• Asbestos containing panels to the outside of the ADC Offices / Bistro / Learning Zone 2.

• Asbestos containing paper on pipe work in tank room on PWC roof.