POLICY Contents. 1.0 Introduction Statement

Transcription

1 POLICY Contents 1.0 Introduction Statement 2.0 Legal Responsibility 2.1 Asbestos Management Hierarchy 2.2 Duty Holders Responsibility 2.3 Employees Responsibility 3.0 Asbestos Management Procedure 4.0 Surveying Premises for Asbestos Containing Materials 4.1 Labelling 5.0 Asbestos Removal - Testing of enclosures 5.2 Removal / Treatment of Asbestos 6.0 Airborne Monitoring 6.1 Clearance testing 6.2 Reassurance Monitoring 6.3 Personal Monitoring 7.0 Control of waste asbestos 8.0 Non removal of Asbestos during building works 9.0 Emergency Procedures Reporting of Suspected ACMs

2 1.0 Introduction Statement David Jameson Roofing Services Ltd (ARC) recognises the responsibilities and duties under Health and safety at work act 1974, to provide as healthy and safe an environment as is reasonably practicable for all employees, visitors and members of public. This policy relates solely to asbestos, it is a live document and will be reviewed periodically as and when new legislation, approved code of practice (ACoP) and good practice is changed. Asbestos Containing Materials (Hereafter known as ACMs) were widely used in the construction industry for many years and in varied applications. The company building was constructed when ACMs were used in common use in construction. The company commissioned Asbestos Removal Contractors (ARC) to carry out a type 2 asbestos survey to ascertain as far as reasonably practical the product type, location, quantity, accessibility and condition of ACMs and establish a management system for the asbestos containing items. 2.0 Legal Responsibility David Jameson Roofing Services Ltd (ARC) has an explicit duty to assess and manage the risks from asbestos. The Managing Director is ultimately responsibility for the implementation of this policy. The staff which occupies the company headquarters has a professional and technical responsibility to comply with the company asbestos policy. 2.1 Asbestos management hierarchy Managing Director Company manager (Advisory Role) Facility Manager (Duty Holder) Licensed Contractor Accredited Analysts Consultants

3 2.2 Duty holders responsibility (Facility Management) Survey the estate and take reasonable steps to determine the location of ACMs. Presume materials to contain asbestos unless there is evidence not to do so Produce and maintain a written record of the locations of asbestos and presumed asbestos materials Assess the risk of exposure and document actions necessary to manage the asbestos 2.3 Management Responsibilities The register of ACMs shall be kept up to date and shall provide a record of the location, condition, maintenance and removal for all ACMs on company property To repair, seal or remove asbestos, if there is a risk of exposure due to its condition or location Periodically monitor condition of ACMs, update the asbestos register and reassess the risk Make information available to those who may come into contact or disturb ACMs Ensure that prior to the commencement of any works which may have the potential to bring staff in contact with ACMs, the asbestos register should be consulted and information used within the risk assessment for the works 2.4 Employees Responsibilities Report any defects or suspected ACMs prior to starting/continuing with work Make full and proper use of any control measures put in place for working with or adjacent ACMs e.g. PPE Follow carefully all the procedures set out in the Plan of work for the works

4 Company Asbestos Policy Survey, Identify Record, Register Feedback Risk Assessment Remove / Encapsulate Manage Disseminate Information Contractors / Consultants Staff Emergency Procedures Plan of work Control Procedures Appropriate Labelling Protection Discovery of ACMs Sample analysis Monitor Condition Audit register Re-assess risks Risk assessment Major Development / Demolition Works Type III Asbestos Survey Remove/Manage Asbestos Training Contractors Staff Improvements (Changes in legislation)

5 4.0 Surveying Premises for ACMs Services for surveying, bulk sampling and analytical work to be carried out by companies which have UKAS accreditation to ISO or equivalent. Their employees will have successfully completed the relevant British Institute of Occupational Hygienist course so that they are competent to undertake the task required. Surveys shall be in accordance with the guidelines stated in the HSE publication MDHS-100 (Methods for the determination of hazardous substances) and any further revision. Results shall be provided in a format that will facilitate the company register. 4.1 Labelling of ACMs So far as reasonably practical, ACMs shall be appropriately labelled to help avoid the material being inadvertently disturbed. Labels shall be applied in prominent positions within each space. In the absence of labels or information from the asbestos register, all suspect materials shall be dealt with as if it contains asbestos 5.0 Asbestos Removal Testing of enclosures Prior to the commencement of asbestos removal works the company will: Witness the smoke test of the enclosure along with checks on plant and equipment Record the results and file accordingly Responsibility for the above will be delegated by company facilities manager 5.1 Removal / Treatment of asbestos Specialist contractors licensed by the HSENI shall be employed to undertake works involving the treatment, encapsulation or removal of ACMs. All works shall be carried out fully in accordance with current legislation and approved codes of practice. Licensed contractors engaging in asbestos removal works shall: Consult the asbestos register and survey information in the health and safety plan to assess the risk and ascertain the scope and extent of asbestos removal Provide a method statement for the project manager as to how the asbestos shall be removed in compliance with current legislation Notify HSENI at least 14 days prior to licensable works commencing 6.0 Airborne Monitoring An independent Analytical company with UKAS accreditation shall be employed to carry out these works. 6.1 Clearance testing

6 All available information from the asbestos register shall be made available to the independent analyst prior to the commencing of works. On satisfactory completion of these works, the analyst shall produce a report that will allow the company register to be updated. 6.2 Reassurance air testing Airborne monitoring testing will be conducted in areas considered sensitive, or in situations where it is considered necessary, to provide documentary evidence no leakage has occurred. Reassurance monitoring shall be carried out at the discretion of the facilities manager. 6.3 Personal monitoring Licensed contractors working with asbestos shall take adequate steps to monitor the exposure of their employees to asbestos all in accordance with current legislation. 7.0 Control of asbestos waste Storage of asbestos waste During and on completion of asbestos removal and environmental cleaning works, ACMs shall be double bagged/wrapped as it is produced. Bags shall be sealed, labelled and cleaned prior to removal from the enclosure. Bags containing asbestos waste shall be transported along an agreed route for immediate removal off site, or safe storage within a lockable container located in an agreed position on site All asbestos waste shall be disposed of strictly at a site licensed to receive it, all in accordance with the special waste regulations. The contractor responsible for disposal of asbestos waste shall provide the company with documentary evidence of safe disposal via copies of consignment notes

7 8.0 Non-removal of asbestos during building work Where a decision is taken by the company not to remove ACMs then precautionary measures shall be put in place. This will include: Information regarding ACMs shall be made available to the contractor prior to the commencement of works. The contractor shall provide details of the measures to be taken in order to protect the material from damage / disturbance of ACMs arising from the works. Limitation of access controls to be put in place 9.0 Emergency Procedure Reporting of suspected ACMs The following procedure should be followed whenever suspected ACMs are discovered during works: Stop work immediately Isolate the area Post warning signage Contact facilities manager Facilities manager will check register for known ACMs In circumstances where no records are available facilities manager will arrange for samples to be taken If asbestos fibres are present in the material steps will be taken to repair, encapsulate or remove the material as soon as practical The following points should be noted: Do no allow works to continue on any materials, which are suspected of containing asbestos If suspected ACMs have been damaged or disturbed during works in progress, the materials should be left in-situ, the works suspended and the area isolated pending further investigation