Dave Wellard


Asbestos Manager

Commercial Asbestos

So, your asbestos issue is in a commercial building…

The control of asbestos at work regulations 2002 (CAWR) introduced the explicit duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises, since replaced by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. This important legislation tackles the biggest occupational health killer in the UK.

The duty to manage asbestos came fully into force on 21st may 2004. The regulations do not necessary require you to carryout a survey they require you to have controls in place to manage any possible exposure.

The duty to manage asbestos requires those in control of premises to:

  • Take reasonable steps to determine the location and condition of materials likely to contain asbestos.
  • Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence they don’t.
  • Make and keep an up to date record of the location and condition of the ACM’s or presumed ACM’s in the premises.
  • Assess the risk of the likelihood of anyone being exposed to fibres from these materials
  • Prepare a plan setting out how the risks from the materials are to be managed.
  • Take the necessary steps to put the plan to action
  • Review and monitor the plan periodically.
  • Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.

All work with asbestos must be done by trained people using proper precautions, you need to use a licensed contractor to work on high risk materials such as pipe insulation, asbestos insulating panels or sprayed asbestos. You also need a trained contractor even for work on materials such as asbestos cement, textured coatings or vinyl tiles.

Health and safety officers may ask questions when they are inspecting your premises regarding the issue. It will depend how far you have progressed with your controls as to what action they may take.

Asbestos encapsulation can sometimes be a solution to your asbestos issue, encapsulation can maintain the beneficial properties of the original asbestos application and maintain it in a safe condition.

What is asbestos encapsulation you ask..

Encapsulation is the application of an impervious material which is secured over or around an asbestos containing material (ACM) and is designed to prevent the release of fibres under foreseeable conditions, such as vibration, impact and age degradation.

If you’ve got hazardous waste to dispose of you must do so through a safe and legal route. Only licensed carriers may legally transport waste and you must complete and keep the originator part of the legally required paperwork that the carrier will bring with them. If they do not bring paperwork do not allow them to take the waste away and report them to the environment agency.

Another factor to consider when removing asbestos containing materials is that if you do need to remove insulation or fire protection materials that contain asbestos you will need to replace these materials with something more suitable. If you need advice on insulation then speak to Mick Austin here, Alltask’s insulation manager, or if you would like advice on passive fire protection then you can speak to Alltask’s passive fire protection manager Trevor Fullwood here.

To find out more about asbestos regulations visit our asbestos regulations page or download my easy to follow chart to see just how you should be managing your asbestos issue.

If you’ve got any further questions regarding asbestos in commercial buildings feel free to contact me by any of the means below and I will be more than happy to help you.

Regards


Dave Wellard

 

 

 

What to do now...

Or ...

Or sign-up...

Contact Me NOW
Contact me NOW

I'll Ring You

Why not see our other divisions?

 

Sign Up Now
Sign up to the Alltask Blog to keep up to date with the Building, Engineering and Maintenance Sector

 

Website by ib3