Transcript Identifying Asbestos (Training Tool)

Identifying
Asbestos
Aim
The aim of this Training Tool is to provide
you with the following information to
ensure the safety of your workforce:
What is asbestos?
Facts
Where is asbestos found?
What does asbestos look like?
How can you identify asbestos?
Hidden killer – diseases
Asbestos training legal requirements
Working with asbestos
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous
material that has been a popular building
material since the 1950s. It is used as an
insulator (to keep in heat and keep out cold),
has good fire protection properties and
protects against corrosion.
Because asbestos is often mixed with another
material, it's hard to know if you're working
with it or not.
But, if you work in a building built before
the year 2000, it's likely that some parts of
the building will contain asbestos.
Facts
Each year approximately
4000 people die from
asbestos. That’s more than
are killed on the roads.
Each week
approximately
8 joiners
6 electricians
4 plumbers
die from asbestosrelated diseases.
20
Each week approximately
tradesmen die
from this hidden killer.
Where is Asbestos found?
Sprayed coating
Found as fire protection on structural supports
(e.g. columns and beams). It is a high hazard
asbestos product and can generate very high
fibre levels if disturbed.
Pipe Insulation
Asbestos thermal pipe lagging is a high hazard
asbestos product.
Asbestos Insulating Board (also referred to as
AIB) ceiling and door panels
AIB is a high hazard asbestos product and can
generate high levels of fibres if the board is cut
or drilled.
AIB window panels
Like other AIB, this is a high hazard asbestos
product, and if in good condition should be left
undisturbed.
Floor tiles
Vinyl (PVC) or thermoplastic tiles contain
asbestos.
Asbestos cement roof sheeting
Asbestos cement sheeting is often found on
industrial building roofs and walls.
Textured decorative coating (such as Artex)
Textured coatings contain a small amount of
asbestos. The asbestos is well bonded and fibres
are not easily released. However, it is still an
asbestos product, and as such, needs to be
worked with safely.
Others:
•Ceiling tiles
•Boilers
•Board around windows, radiators, fireplaces,
building columns and pillars
•Soffit boards
•Inside fire doors
•Gaskets and sealants on pipe joints
•Fuse boxes and electrical switch gear
Asbestos house & where it can be found
1. Water Tank
2. Pipe Lagging
3. Property Insulation
4. Textured coating (e.g. artex)
5. Soffit Board (roof overhang)
6. Toilet cistern
7. Wall panelling
8. Fuse box
9. Heater cupboard
10. Floor tiles
11. Rainwater items such as
roof gutters and down pipes
What does asbestos look like?
Asbestos
Fire Blanket
Pieces
of AIB
Asbestos
containing
floor tiles
Asbestos
cement
downpipe
Asbestos
cement
roof
Torn
asbestos
pipe
lagging
AIB ceiling
tiles in a
corridor
Damaged
asbestos
panelling
Wall with
trowelled
loose
asbestos
What does asbestos look like?
Pipe
insulated
using
asbestos
lagging
and rope
AIB
window
sill
Asbestos
cement
external
building
panel
Sprayed
'limpet'
asbestos on
underside of
an asbestos
cement roof
Asbestos
soffit
Asbestos
panelling
around gas
meter
AIB
window
panelling
Asbestos
cement
drainage
downpipe
Asbestos
textured
coating
How can you identify asbestos?
Because asbestos is often mixed with another
material, it's hard to know if you're working
with it or not.
Asbestos materials in good condition are safe
unless asbestos fibres become airborne and then
inhaled, which happens when materials are
damaged.
If you are unsure whether you are working with
asbestos materials where you are working…
stop and check.
People in charge of workplace buildings have a
legal duty to provide you with up-to-date
information on the location and condition of
asbestos before you start work.
The “Hidden Killer”
Exposure to asbestos can cause four main diseases:
•Mesothelioma – cancer of the lining of the lungs;
it is always fatal and is almost exclusively caused
by exposure to asbestos
•Asbestos-related lung cancer – which is almost
always fatal
•Asbestosis – a scarring of the lungs which is not
always fatal but can be a very debilitating disease,
greatly affecting quality of life
•Diffuse pleural thickening – a thickening of the
membrane surrounding the lungs which can
restrict lung expansion leading to breathlessness.
It can take 15-60 years for any symptoms to develop after exposure, so these diseases
will not affect you immediately but may do later in life. You need to start protecting
yourself against any exposure to asbestos now because the effect is cumulative.
Asbestos training – legal requirement
If you plan to disturb asbestos, e.g. by drilling a hole in textured coating or removing
an asbestos ceiling tile, then as well as awareness training, you will need job-specific,
non-licenced asbestos training. This will give you the skills to:
• Use and fit a face mask
• Use safe work methods
• Deal with asbestos waste
• Safely carry out non-licenced tasks –
such as painting undamaged asbestos
insulation board, cleaning light fittings
attached to asbestos insulating boards
and cleaning guttering on an asbestos
cement roof.
Don’t start work if…
•You are not sure if there is asbestos where you are working
•The asbestos materials are sprayed coatings, board or insulation and lagging on
pipes and boilers – only licenced contractors should work on these
•You have not been trained to do non-licenced work with asbestos. Basic awareness
training is not enough.
You should only continue work if…
Work has been properly planned and the right precautions are in place
(e.g. you have the right equipment)
The materials are asbestos cement, textured coatings and certain
other materials which do not need a licence
You have had training in asbestos work and know how to work with it
safely.
If you work with asbestos…
Use hand tools – not power tools
Keep materials damp – not too wet
Wear a properly fitted, suitable face mask, (e.g.
disposable FFP3 type). An ordinary dust mask will NOT
be effective
Double bag asbestos waste and label the bags properly
Clean up as you go – use a special (Class H) vacuum
cleaner, not a brush
After work, wipe down your overalls with a damp rag or
wear disposable overalls (Type 5)
Always remove overalls before removing your mask
Wear boots without laces or disposable boot covers
Put disposable clothing items in asbestos waste bags
and dispose of them properly
Don’t carry asbestos into your car or home
Don’t smoke, eat or drink in the work area
Don’t take overalls home to wash.
More information
The HSE has a range of Asbestos Essentials task sheets that will show you how to
carry out a range of non-licenced tasks safely.
They are free to download at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials
For a fantastic range of PPE, Asbestos Safety
Signs, Tapes and Training Aids, go to
www.seton.co.uk
Source:
Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and
licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0.