Prepared by Property & Facilities Division. Asbestos Management Plan 2008

Transcription

1 Prepared by Property & Facilities Division Asbestos Management Plan 2008

2 ABSTRACT This Management Plan supersedes the previous University of Queensland Asbestos Management Plan (UQAMP) dated March The new UQAMP has been revised to reflect changes in the Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) legislation relating to asbestos and to improve and enhance the document. The key legislative changes include: Reviewing the Asbestos Register annually: All items of asbestos containing material must be inspected annually and a record kept of the inspections. This is a change from our previous UQAMP where buildings were surveyed every 5 years. Signposting the presence of Asbestos: Buildings and structures that contain asbestos containing materials (ACM) must have warning signs installed in prominent places. This is a new requirement under the WH&S legislation. Labelling individual Asbestos situations: Labelling of in-situ ACM situations requires a risk assessment approach to determine which high risk situations are labelled. The University of Queensland (UQ) currently labels all high risk ACM. These changes to legislation will mean that every item of ACM will have a maintenance cost associated with it, and as this cost is extrapolated out over time it will exceed the expense of removing and disposing of it. Hence the Policy Statement and Key Performance Indicators section have been added to the plan to help achieve the target of making university buildings relatively Asbestos free by To help track the removal of Asbestos the original Asbestos Permit to Work form (PF430) has been altered to form part of a document which includes a list of ACM which have been removed. Two new flow charts have also been added to make the document easier to read; the Incident Response Flow Chart and the Sample Asbestos Project Flow Chart (Appendix 3). September 2008 Page 2 of 28

3 University of Queensland Asbestos Management Plan 2008 This document replaces the Asbestos Management Plan of March 2006 and supersedes all previously issued asbestos management plans Commissioned Gary Chapman UQ - OHS Unit February 2007 Authors Phil Torley Gary Chapman Parsons Brinckerhoff UQ - OHS Unit Geoff Dennis UQ P&F Greg Brown UQ P&F Revision 0.1 Document present to OHS Council for endorsement. February 2008 Endorsed UQ OHS Council 20 March 2008 Revision 1.0 Revision 1.1 Revision 1.2 Correction made to document following comments from the OHS Council Document placed on web following formatting changes Document placed on web following formatting changes 5 May September September 2008 September 2008 Page 3 of 28

4 GLOSSARY OF TERMS Accredited Laboratory a testing laboratory accredited by NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities), Australia. Air Monitoring airborne asbestos sampling to assist in assessing exposure and the effectiveness of control measures. This includes exposure monitoring, clearance monitoring and control monitoring. Asbestos fibrous form of the mineral silicates belonging to the serpentine and amphibole groups of rock-forming minerals and includes: a) actinolite, amosite (brown asbestos), anthophylite, crocidolite (blue asbestos), chrysotile (white asbestos), tremolite, and; b) any mixture containing one or more of the above mentioned minerals. Asbestos Removalist a person whose business or undertaking includes asbestos removal work or a self employed person whose work includes asbestos removal work. Accredited Laboratory a testing laboratory accredited by NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities), Australia. Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) any material, object, product or debris containing asbestos. Asbestos Removal Control Plan A site specific document to be prepared by the removal contractor based on the information in the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002(2005)]. Asbestos Work Area the immediate area in which work on ACM is taking place. The boundaries off the work area must be determined by a risk assessment. Asbestos Removal Work work to remove: a) friable asbestos containing material b) 10m² or more of bonded asbestos containing material Bonded Asbestos Containing Material asbestos containing material containing a bonding compound reinforced with asbestos. Clearance Inspection an inspection carried out by a competent person, to verify that an asbestos work area is safe to be returned to normal use after work involving the disturbance of ACM has taken place. A clearance inspection must include a visual inspection, and may also include clearance monitoring and/or settled dust sampling. Clearance Monitoring air monitoring using static or positional samples to measure the level of airborne asbestos in an area following work on ACM. An area is cleared when the level of airborne asbestos fibres is measured as being below 0.01 fibres/ml. Competent Person a person possessing adequate qualifications, such as suitable training and sufficient knowledge, experience and skill to perform the specified work. Control Monitoring air monitoring using static or positional samples to measure the level of airborne asbestos fibres in an area during work on ACM. Control monitoring is designed to assist in assessing the effectiveness of control measures. Its results are not representative of actual occupational exposures and should not be used for that purpose. Exposure Monitoring - air monitoring to determine a person s likely exposure to a hazardous substance. Results from exposure monitoring may be compared to the national exposure standard (NES) September 2008 Page 4 of 28

5 Friable Asbestos Containing Material unbonded asbestos containing material that, when dry, is or may become crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Hazard any matter, thing, process, or practice that may cause death, injury, illness or disease. HSC Health and Safety Coordinator, Property and Facilities Division, The University of Queensland NAD No Asbestos Detected National Exposure Standard (NES) an airborne concentration of a particular substance, within the worker s breathing zone, which according to current knowledge, should not cause adverse health effects or undue discomfort to nearly all workers. The NES for all forms of asbestos is 0.1 fibre/ml of air, measured using the membrane filter method. NOHSC: 2018 (2005) - Code of Practice For The Management And Control Of Asbestos In Workplaces [NOHSC: 2018 (2005)] OH&S Occupational Health and Safety OMC Office of Media and Communications, The University of Queensland. P&F Property and Facilities Division, The University of Queensland PM/PO Project Manager /Project Officer of the asbestos removal job is the University of Queensland s staff member in control of the project. Person in charge of area - The person in charge of the building or area affected by the asbestos removal. This person may include Head of School, Building Manager, Executive Dean or Workplace Health and Safety Officer (WHSO). Risk means the likelihood of a hazard causing harm to a person. UQ The University of Queensland UQAMP University of Queensland Asbestos Management Plan WHSO Workplace Health and Safety Officer September 2008 Page 5 of 28

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. 1.0 INTRODUCTION Background Scope and Limitations Purpose General Principles POLICY STATEMENT OBJECTIVES KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Table Annual Asbestos Management Report Asbestos Funding REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS State legislative requirements - Queensland Codes of Practice UQ Requirements ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IDENTIFICATION OF ACM Non-destructive Asbestos Surveys Destructive Asbestos Surveys Asbestos Re-surveys/ Re-inspections CONTROL OF ASBESTOS HAZARDS Removal of ACM Record Keeping Labelling Warning Signs Safe Work Practices INCIDENT RESPONSE FLOW CHART ELECTRONIC ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Asbestos Database ACM Register TRAINING Asbestos Awareness Training Asbestos Survey Training Working safely with asbestos Asbestos removal training...22 Appendix Permit to Work and Clearance Certificate form (PF430)...23 Appendix Risk Assessment...25 Appendix Sample Asbestos Project Flow Chart...27 References...28 September 2008 Page 6 of 28

7 1.0 INTRODUCTION The University of Queensland (UQ) has a legal obligation under the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, to ensure the health and safety of each of its staff, students, contractors and visitors at University of Queensland (UQ) campuses. UQ also has an obligation to ensure the health and safety of others is not affected by the way they conduct their business. As part of this obligation, UQ has determined that asbestos-containing materials that have been used in the construction of UQ buildings will be properly managed to ensure the risk posed by the asbestos hazard is minimised. 1.1 Background Asbestos containing materials (ACM) have been used in the construction of numerous UQ buildings over many years. The manufacture of asbestos cement products (a large portion of the asbestos building materials) was banned in the mid 1980s and the sale of stockpiled asbestos cement products gradually subsided during the late 1980s. Buildings constructed after 1990 are generally regarded as being asbestos free. Considering the age of the University campuses, it s not surprising that many of the buildings contain ACM. Surveys conducted over the past 15 years have identified the presence of ACM in numerous UQ facilities and this asbestos management plan will enable UQ to control these in-situ ACM in a consistent and effective manner. 1.2 Scope and Limitations The University of Queensland asbestos management plan (UQAMP) applies to all UQ owned facilities and sites regardless of whether or not UQ occupy them. The UQAMP shall also apply to facilities occupied by UQ but which are not owned by UQ (e.g. leased, loaned, etc to UQ). The UQAMP does not apply to facilities that are neither owned nor occupied by UQ but which are located on UQ property (e.g. Colleges at St Lucia campus, privately operated Child Care centres, Energex Sub Stations, etc). 1.3 Purpose The management of asbestos containing materials is important to ensure the ACM are not damaged nor deteriorate to such an extent that University staff and students, external contractors or visitors are unnecessarily exposed to airborne asbestos fibres. The requirements of the contractor site induction and permit to work system will aid in the management of asbestos containing materials throughout the University. It is also the policy of the University of Queensland to incorporate asbestos issues into building works contracts, designed to ensure any asbestos on, or in, University of Queensland property is dealt with in the appropriate manner. September 2008 Page 7 of 28

8 1.4 General Principles The University of Queensland s principles of asbestos management have been adapted from general principles published in the Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018(2005)]. These principles are summarised below: The ultimate goal is for the University of Queensland to be free of asbestos containing materials. Consideration should be given to the removal of ACM during any renovations, refurbishments or maintenance work in preference to other control measures such as encapsulation, enclosure and sealing. Reasonable steps must be taken to label all high risk ACM. Where ACM are identified or presumed, the locations are to be recorded in a register. A risk assessment must be performed on all identified or presumed ACM. Control measures must be established to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres and should take into account the results of risk assessments conducted for the identified or presumed ACM. Only competent persons should undertake the identification and risk assessment of ACM. All workers and contractors on premises where ACM are present or presumed to be present, and all other persons who may be exposed to ACM as a result of being on the premises, must be provided with full information on the occupational health and safety consequences of exposure to asbestos and appropriate control measures. The provision of this information should be recorded. Reasonable steps must be taken to identify all possible locations of ACM within the University of Queensland. September 2008 Page 8 of 28

9 Source: Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018 (2005)] September 2008 Page 9 of 28

10 2.0 POLICY STATEMENT The University s policy with regard to the management of asbestos in the work place is as follows: Comply with State and Commonwealth legislation. Remove asbestos containing items when and where possible. Decrease the number of buildings containing asbestos. 3.0 OBJECTIVES Reduce the number of asbestos items to zero or as close to zero as possible. Remove all high-risk asbestos items where possible. Deliver effective asbestos management work programs. Ensure that no one from the University Community is exposed to hazardous asbestos fibres. Ensure compliance with this Asbestos Management Plan. Ensure the asbestos database and register is 100% accurate. September 2008 Page 10 of 28

11 4.0 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 4.1 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Table OBJECTIVE KPI MEASURES TARGET % reduction in asbestos items No. items removed / No. items year start 5% per annum % reductions is asbestos volumes No. m 2 removed / m 2 year start 5% per annum To continually reduce the number of asbestos items so that the University is relatively asbestos free by the year To deliver effective asbestos management 4.2 Annual Asbestos Management Report An annual asbestos report will be produced by the HSC on the progress of work and the performance of the plan against the above objectives. 4.3 Asbestos Funding % increase in the number of asbestos free building No. buildings made asbestos free in year / No: buildings with asbestos year start 5% per annum No: High Risk items Number 0 by end 2008 No: Medium Risk items Number 0 by end 2010 No: Low Risk items Number 0 by end 2020 Project completion No. projects actually completed / No projects planned 100% programs. Project inspection No. items actually inspected / No. items planned for inspection Ensure that no one from the University Community is exposed to asbestos hazards. Ensure compliance with this AMP, UQ and P&F s statutory obligations. 100% Number incidents No. reported incidents per annum 0 Training awareness No. training programs completed 100% / No. training programs planned Statutory Authority breeches No. fines and or notices 0 Compliance with OH&S Policy & AMP No. non-compliances 0 Ensure the asbestos Errors reported No. reported errors 0 database and register is accurate. Audit rating achieved No. correct entries/ No. items audited 100% To achieve the objectives set out in Section 3 of this document, the University will need to commit appropriate funding for the management of asbestos. Funding is required for the following: Surveys (identifying the presence of asbestos); Reinspection and assessment (annual assessment of the condition and risk posed by all identified asbestos items); Removal; Maintaining an accurate asbestos register; Signs and labelling; Awareness training programs. September 2008 Page 11 of 28

12 Annual funding requirements for asbestos management will be provided in the annual Facilities Audit Report. 5.0 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS This asbestos management plan is consistent with UQ s approach to asbestos management in the removal, encapsulation, transport, and disposal or otherwise potential disturbance of asbestos containing materials. All these activities shall be performed in accordance with relevant Commonwealth and State Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice, Advisory Standards and Industry Standards. 5.1 State Legislative Requirements - Queensland Relevant State legislation includes: Workplace Health and Safety Act Workplace Health and Safety Regulation Environmental Protection Act Environmental Protection Regulation Codes of Practice Key Codes of Practice include: Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC: 2018 (2005)]. Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)]. Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2003 (2005)]. 5.3 UQ Requirements OHS Unit must be notified before asbestos removal work commences. All asbestos identified within the scope of any refurbishment or repair work must be removed. Any new asbestos identified must be explicitly notified to the OHS unit. All Staff, Students and Contractors must comply with this Plan. Tenants and other interested parties must be notified of the asbestos removal work in advance and asbestos awareness training shall be made available to those persons affected by the asbestos work. September 2008 Page 12 of 28

13 6.0 ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES PERSON / PARTY Senate OHS Council Associate Director OHS Director Property & Facilities Construction Manager, Operations Manager, Site Planner, Services Manager and Engineering Manager Project Officers and Project Managers Health & Safety Coordinator Heads of School Operations Contracts Office Operations Manager and Administration Manager Contractors and Trades Staff Students, Staff and Visitors RESPONSBILITY Approve Asbestos Management Plan Endorse Asbestos Management Plan Ensure University wide compliance with UQAMP Ensure P&F staff and contractors comply with the provisions of the UQAMP. Allocate funding for the implementation of the UQAMP Ensure all staff and contractors working for them and their sections are aware of and comply with the UQAMP Project management Issue Asbestos Permit to Work Project management Identification and bringing to the attention of appropriate staff any suspect material notification to HSC, security and cleaning managers of asbestos removal jobs. Ensure all contractors working on asbestos are aware of and meet the requirements of the UQAMP Ensure project personnel (including contractors) are inducted Issue Asbestos Permit to Work Manage Asbestos Works Programmes Maintain electronic asbestos management system Surveying, identification and sampling of suspected asbestos containing materials Training and awareness Manage the asbestos works program and removal program. Issue Asbestos Permit to work Respond to incidents Produce annual report Ensure compliance, within their section, to the UQ Asbestos Management Plan. Project management Document preparation Manage asbestos inspection contractor. Budget for asbestos management Not to impact on an asbestos containing material without complying with the UQ AMP To bring to the attention of the PM/PO any suspect material Refer to the UQAMP for guidance to identify, manage, and remove asbestos Submit Asbestos Permit to Work when performing asbestos removal work. Undergo P&F Contractor Induction Develop a site specific asbestos removal control plan prior to performing the asbestos removal work. Comply with the UQAMP Not to impact on any ACM Report asbestos related hazards September 2008 Page 13 of 28

14 7.0 IDENTIFICATION OF ACM In accordance with the requirements of the Queensland Workplace health and Safety legislation, all structures built prior to 1990 must be inspected for asbestos. To ensure this legal requirement is met The University of Queensland may adopt any or all of the following options to identify the presence of asbestos in UQ facilities. 7.1 Non-destructive Asbestos Surveys Asbestos surveys are typically non-destructive in nature and involve inspecting all accessible areas within a structure and identifying materials suspected of containing asbestos. The scope of the asbestos survey includes all construction materials, finishing materials, and building services (including fixed plant and equipment) within and adjacent to a structure. Equipment stored within a structure is not usually included in the scope of works unless otherwise specified. The asbestos survey is to be undertaken by a competent person who is responsible for: identifying and sampling the suspect materials. accurately recording the precise location of each individual asbestos situation. assessing the physical condition of the ACM. assessing the risk to health posed by the ACM. preparing a detailed asbestos register. A complete record of the asbestos survey shall be maintained using the electronic asbestos management system. 7.2 Destructive Asbestos Surveys Destructive asbestos surveys are similar to non-destructive asbestos surveys except the Competent Person is required to partially demolish the structure (e.g. expose wall cavities, rip up floor coverings, open blind service ducts/risers, etc) in order to identify asbestos containing materials which may be hidden. This may result in damage and destruction to the building fabric and ideally should be undertaken only after the occupants have vacated the building. The purpose of a destructive asbestos survey is to identify all ACM prior to the commencement of refurbishment/demolition works, which may impact on the unidentified ACM. If the ACM identified during the survey is to be removed as part of the refurbishment/demolition works, it may not be necessary for the Competent Person to assess the condition and risk posed by the ACM as this is largely irrelevant if the ACM is to be removed. 7.3 Asbestos Re-surveys/ Re-inspections The current WH&S legislation requires the building owner to conduct asbestos resurveys/re-inspections every 12 months or sooner if the asbestos situation requires more frequent attention. Re-inspections or re-surveys are to be conducted by a Competent Person and will comprise a visual assessment of the condition of the in-situ ACM to determine whether the material remains in a satisfactory condition, or if deterioration has occurred since the previous inspection. Such re-inspections will determine if any September 2008 Page 14 of 28

15 remedial action, such as encapsulation, isolation or removal of the asbestos containing materials, is required. Normally, re-sampling of materials would not be required during re-inspections. However, if previously unidentified or undocumented ACM, or suspected ACM, are encountered during the re-inspection process, sampling and analysis may be performed. The Competent Person will be required to update and re-issue the asbestos register at the completion of the resurvey 8.0 CONTROL OF ASBESTOS HAZARDS As part of the asbestos survey or subsequent resurvey, the Competent Person is required to assess the risk posed by the ACM and determine what, if any, control measures may be required. Generally, there are four control options available to select: Leave in-situ and manage. Seal / encapsulate. Enclose / isolate. Remove. The controls are to be appropriate to the risk of the ACM in question. The following information should be used as a guideline when determining the correct control measure for management the ACM risks. If the ACM are friable and not in a stable condition, and there is a risk to health from exposure, they should be removed. If the ACM are friable and are in a stable condition but are accessible and may be disturbed, serious consideration should be given to their removal. If removal is not immediately practicable, short-term control measures, such as encapsulation or isolation, may be implemented until removal is possible. If the ACM are bonded and in a stable condition, encapsulation may be appropriate if the ACM are unsealed. Encapsulation is not necessarily required if the ACM are unsealed but it does provide another barrier to the potential release of asbestos fibre as well as prolonging the lifespan of the material by providing protection against UV radiation, etc. ACM that are bonded, stable and sealed, which are unlikely to be disturbed during normal activities, should be left in-situ and managed. ACM must be removed prior to the commencement of demolition, partial demolition, renovation or refurbishment if they are likely to be disturbed by those works, in accordance with the NOHSC Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos [NOHSC:2002 (2005)]. 8.1 Removal of ACM LICENSED CONTRACTORS ACM falls into two broad categories (bonded and friable) and the category the ACM falls under will determine how the ACM is removed. If the ACM is classified as friable (e.g. sprayed limpet, pipe lagging, millboard insulation, vinyl sheet floor September 2008 Page 15 of 28

16 coverings with asbestos backing material, etc) it is necessary to engage a contractor who possesses an A class licence for friable asbestos removal. If the ACM is classified as bonded ACM (e.g. asbestos cement wall linings, Super Six roof sheeting, vinyl floor tiles, Zelemite electrical boards, etc) the ACM may be removed by a contractor who possesses a B class licence for bonded asbestos removal AIRBORNE FIBRE MONITORING Airborne fibre monitoring must be conducted during and after the removal of friable ACM by an independent competent person. Air monitoring is conducted during the removal works to check the effectiveness of control measures implemented by the contractor (e.g. isolating the removal work area with a sealed, airtight enclosure fitted with negative air generating units, etc). Air monitoring is conducted after the ACM has been completely removed and the work area has passed a satisfactory visual inspection to determine whether the area is safe to reoccupy by unprotected persons CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES Before an area can be re-occupied post asbestos removal, a clearance inspection must be performed. The clearance inspection must be undertaken by an independent competent person only and a clearance certificate must be obtained from the competent person. Clearance monitoring is a mandatory requirement for all friable asbestos removal works and is recommended for bonded ACM removal works particularly when the bonded ACM is located internally or near sensitive receptors. The complete removal of all ACM must be verified with a written clearance certificate which must include details of a satisfactory clearance inspection conducted by the independent competent person. If clearance air monitoring has been conducted, the results of the clearance monitoring must be included as part of the clearance certificate as well WASTE All asbestos waste shall be disposed of at an approved landfill disposal site by licensed contractors, and in accordance with, the requirements of Queensland Legislation. Transport and disposal of asbestos waste shall be carried out only in manner that will prevent the liberation of asbestos fibres into the atmosphere. Asbestos shall not be stored for extended periods or buried on University property. To achieve "final completion" of an asbestos removal project, The University of Queensland require verification that the asbestos waste has been transported and disposed of in accordance with State/Territory legislative requirements. A copy of the EPA Waste Tracking document is the required documentation for disposal, and a copy of the necessary License for carrying out this removal and disposal is the required documentation for transportation. September 2008 Page 16 of 28

17 8.2 Record Keeping University of Queensland Property and Facilities Division shall maintain detailed records of all activities relating to asbestos works which have been undertaken on University of Queensland premises. The records kept should include: Copies of all asbestos survey/audit reports, including updates and amendments. Copies of all Permit to Work documents. Site induction records pertaining to the informing of contractors about the presence of asbestos on site. Records pertaining to the informing of University of Queensland employees about the presence of asbestos on site, and that such employees have been appropriately trained in safe work procedures and practices. Clearance certificates indicating areas are safe to reoccupy after asbestos abatement works; and Airborne fibre monitoring results. Previous versions of the asbestos register. All asbestos related records and documents are to be retained for a period of 30 years. 8.3 Labelling Current State and Territory legislation specify the requirements for some form of labelling in buildings. NOHSC: 2018 (2005) states all in situ ACM s should be labelled where practicable. The words should and practicable in the Code of Practice allow some flexibility in the approach to labelling. Similar flexibility is allowed under State and Territory workplace health and safety legislation. The DWHS has advised that individual labelling of ACM is to be determined by a Competent Person and may not be necessary in every instance. All friable and high risk asbestos situations, as well as any location containing ACM s where regular maintenance or repair work is likely to be carried must be labelled 8.4 Warning Signs All University buildings which are known or suspected to contain ACM s shall have a warning sign at every main entry into the building indicating that an asbestos register exists for the building and a point of contact must be contacted before undertaking any works which may impact on the building. The warning sign must be clearly visible from all directions leading into the building. 8.5 Safe Work Practices Prior to commencing any works on University of Queensland premises, such as demolition, refurbishment, maintenance or installation of new equipment, the asbestos register must be consulted to determine if any ACM are present which may be disturbed. This ACM must be removed before commencement of the work. In exceptional circumstances and if approved by the Associate Director OHS, the ACM may be encapsulated. If unknown materials, or undocumented materials suspected of containing asbestos are encountered during building works, stop work and follow the Incident response procedures below. September 2008 Page 17 of 28

18 If a project is likely to impinge upon an ACM the principal contractor must engage a licensed asbestos removalist to perform the asbestos removal work. An asbestos permit to work will be required prior to the asbestos removal work MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES Maintenance tasks that may impact on ACM are to be performed under controlled conditions to prevent the distribution of airborne asbestos fibres. NOHSC:2018(2005) has procedures for certain maintenance tasks and these must be followed. These maintenance tasks include: The Drilling of Asbestos Containing Materials. Sealing, Painting, Coating of Asbestos Cement Products. Cleaning Leaf Litter form the Gutters of Asbestos Cement Roofs. Replacing Cabling in Asbestos Cement Conduits or Boxes. Working on Electrical Mounting Boards (Switchboards) Containing Asbestos TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT Tools and equipment to be used for asbestos removal jobs are to minimise the generation of airborne asbestos fibres. High-speed abrasive power or pneumatic tools such as angle grinders, sanders, saws and high speed drills must never be used. Hand tools are preferred over power tools. At the end of the removal work, all tools should be: Decontaminated (i.e. fully dismantled and cleaned under controlled conditions as described in the Code, or Placed in sealed containers (and used only for asbestos removal work); or Disposed of as asbestos waste. Vacuum cleaners used for asbestos cleaning must comply with: AS (Industrial Vacuum Cleaners for Particulates Hazardous to Health) and AS High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA) Classification, Construction and Performance ASBESTOS PERMIT TO WORK (FORM PF430) The University of Queensland Asbestos Permit to Work form (PF430) must be obtained for any work on ACM. Before being issued with an Asbestos Permit to Work, individuals will be required to peruse the UQAMP and the Asbestos Register. Where practicable, contractors should be made aware of the requirements of the UQAMP prior to tendering to ensure they allow for such requirements when quoting. The Asbestos Permit to Work is designed to ensure appropriate work practices are employed when working with ACM. The Asbestos Permit to Work will document what asbestos containing materials are to be removed, encapsulated or otherwise protected, prior to the contracted maintenance or building works proceeding. The Asbestos Permit to Work will also indicate other requirements such as the need for personal protective equipment (PPE), barricading and airborne fibre monitoring. When a project involves a team of more than one worker, the person in charge of the team will be issued with an Asbestos Permit to Work form (PF430). He/she will be responsible to ensure that his/her workers are aware of their responsibilities. September 2008 Page 18 of 28

19 When work is completed, the permit shall be signed and returned to University of Queensland Property and Facilities Division's Project Manager or Officer who will cancel it after inspecting the site. University of Queensland Property and Facilities Division's Project Manager or Officer shall be advised immediately of any incidents of non-compliance with this document or the Code. The format of the Asbestos Permit to Work form (PF430) is illustrated in Appendix 1. September 2008 Page 19 of 28

20 9.0 INCIDENT RESPONSE FLOW CHART A material is discovered which is suspected of containing asbestos Has dust been released or will dust be released if the current activity continues. NO YES Stop work immediately and isolate the area P&F - HSC and/or OHS unit perform an inspection of the site and establish if disturbed material contains asbestos Asbestos present NO YES Area is cordoned off and warning signs are put in place. Any persons who may have been exposed to respirable airborne particles are to be advised to report exposure on the OHS website content.asp Area is cleaned; asbestos is removed or made safe by appropriately qualified persons. Clearance certificate is obtained from a qualified occupational hygienist or the associate director OHS. Back to work September 2008 Page 20 of 28

21 10.0 ELECTRONIC ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 10.1 Asbestos Database An electronic database shall be developed to record and monitor the condition of all asbestos containing materials (ACM) within University buildings. In addition to ACM items a record shall be kept of all items tested to be asbestos free. The database shall be able to store information for a period of 30 years starting from It will be able to scroll to any year within that period to show the status of the ACM item at that time. The database will also hold sufficient information to show the life of an ACM item from the date it was identified through to the date a disposal certificate is issued. The database will have reporting functions that will be able to produce the information required in the Key Performance Indicators section of this Plan. Additional reporting functions are also available as required for the maintenance of the database and for managing asbestos in the University ACM Register The ACM register will form part of a report generated from the asbestos database. This report will be similar to the survey reports generated by asbestos surveying consultants and will include the following: Register of ACM items. Register of items which were sampled but found to contain no asbestos. Certificates of analysis. Clearance certificates. Photos. Floor plans with asbestos containing items marked up. These reports will be generated per building bases and will list the name of the building, the building number, its location, the date of the original survey, the surveyors name and the surveyor s company name, the date of the annual inspection, the inspectors name and the inspection company s name. The report will be available online TRAINING 11.1 Asbestos Awareness Training Asbestos awareness training provides participants with a general overview of asbestos including history and background; asbestos types and properties; common asbestos situations; health effects; risk in perspective and management of asbestos. The course is typically 1 2 hours in duration Asbestos Survey Training The asbestos survey course is a specialist training course designed for those personnel who may be involved in conducting asbestos surveys or resurveys. The course is September 2008 Page 21 of 28

22 quite practical in nature with most of the time spent in the field identifying and assessing various different asbestos situations. In addition to identifying asbestos containing materials, the course covers assessing individual asbestos situations for condition, surface treatment, risks, controls, etc as well as recording and reporting of survey data. The course is typically run over 2-3 days and may include a practical assessment Working safely with asbestos This course is designed for personnel who are likely to impact directly on in-situ asbestos containing materials during the course of their work (e.g. IT staff who may need to drill holes through asbestos cement walls to run cables, etc). This course is a combination of basic theory principals and practical demonstrations showing participants exactly how to impact on the asbestos material safely. Participants are also encouraged to experiment themselves under the guidance of the instructor. The course is typically run over a 2-3 hour period 11.4 Asbestos removal training This course is typically provided by an external registered training organisation (RTO) to personnel who intend to remove bonded ACM. The holder of a B class license is permitted to remove bonded ACM only. This license does NOT permit holders to remove friable ACM. It is the University s intention that appropriately licensed asbestos removal contractors, and not UQ personnel, will conduct all forms of asbestos removal work. The course is typically run over a 4-8 hour period. TRAINING COURSE Asbestos Awareness Training Asbestos Survey Training Working safely with asbestos Asbestos removal training PARTICIPANTS Available to any member of staff or student who may be affect by asbestos remediation work Required for members of Properties and Facilities and their contractors who will be performing asbestos inspections. Required for trades persons who may impact on asbestos while performing their normal job Required for trades person and contractor who will be removing asbestos September 2008 Page 22 of 28

23 Property and Facilities Division Form 08/08 APPENDIX 1 PERMIT TO WORK AND CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE PF430 This permit is required for building or maintenance work which may disturb asbestos containing material (ACM). Permit MUST be available at the site while work is in progress and returned to the Property and Facilities Division Health and Safety Coordinator (HSC) upon completion of work. ASBESTOS PERMIT TO WORK 1. Work Permit No. (issued by HSC): 2. Name of person permit is issued to: 3. Department / Organisation: 4. Contact Telephone Number: 5. Location of Works (e.g. Campus, Bldg Name, Bldg No.): 6. Description of Works: 7. UQ ACM Database item ID Number (issued by HSC): Enter Not Listed if item cannot be found in the database 8. Asbestos Test Certificate identifying Number: Attach Certificate to this permit if Not Listed entered above 9. Has the area where the asbestos disturbing work is to be performed been examined by a Property and Facilities Division s project manager / project officer and the contractor? 10. Has the University of Queensland Asbestos Management Plan been read by the contractor? Y or Y or N N 11. Will the building be occupied during the work? Y or N 12. Is it necessary to evacuate UQ personnel prior to work commencing? Y or N 13. Please provide the Division of Workplace Health and Safety Asbestos Removal Licence Number (i.e. A/B Class & No.)? 14. Has a Health and Safety Plan been prepared and approved prior to works commencing? 15. Have arrangements been made to ensure air conditioning is not running in affected building / floor? Ensure air ducts returns will not draw air into the building during the removal process. 16. 'Asbestos No Entry' signs to be placed at each end of affected floor and in the lift lobbies in addition to required signs and barricades. 17. Have occupants of building / floor been advised of work and that entry will be barred for the duration of the work? 18. Has an been sent to the P&F Cleaning Manger and Security Manager notifying them of the asbestos work? Y or N Y or N or N/A Y or N or N/A Y or N or N/A Y or N or N/A Approved by P&F Project Manager / Project Officer. Questions 9, 10, 14 must be answered yes prior to approval. P&F Project Manager / Project Officer Name: Date: Signature: Supervisor of asbestos works Name: Date: Signature: Page 1 of 2

24 ASBESTOS CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE Clearance Certificate: UQ ACM Database item ID No. Sample ID No. Item description & location Cross box to confirm item has been removed & can be taken off Asbestos Register Date Y or N Y or N Y or N Y or N Air Monitoring Results: Cassette No. Sample Location Start Time Finish Time Average Flow Rate (ml) Fibres / Fields Result Fibres / ml Signature of Competent Person Name: Section: Position: Qualifications: Signature: Attached copy of the Clearance Certificate obtained from the occupation hygienist Attached copy of the Waste Transport Certificate (more than 250kg) Attached copy of the Waste Disposal Certificate Sent original form to Project Officers / Project Manager, and a copy to P&F Health and Safety Officer (HSC) I (HSC) acknowledge receipt of the asbestos permit to work and clearance certificate P&F Health and Safety Officer (HSC) Name: Signature: Date: PF430 Asbestos Permit to Work & Clearance Page 2 of 2

25 APPENDIX 2 Risk Assessment Asbestos containing materials pose a risk to human health only when the asbestos fibres become detached from the host media and enter the airborne environment. The level of risk associated with that hazard depends on whether the person is exposed to the hazard or not and the level of exposure. Asbestos that is in a stable matrix, or effectively encapsulated or sealed, and remains in a sound condition while left undisturbed, represents low risk to health. For example, the presence of asbestos in a building is a hazard, but while that asbestos remains in sound condition and does not release fibres into the air, the risk is low. Health-based risk assessments usually indicate the likelihood of the hazard causing harm therefore a high risk situation would have a high probability of actually causing harm. The harm caused by exposure to asbestos includes asbestos related diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. These diseases are normally associated with high level exposure to airborne asbestos over a prolonged period. Residing or working in buildings which contain asbestos building materials is unlikely to cause any of the above diseases provided it remains relatively stable and undisturbed. As such, most in-situ asbestos containing materials pose a low health-based risk. However, experts such as Sandman suggest Risk = Actual health-based risk + Outrage. If we include the occupant s perception of the in-situ ACM and the potential outrage factor they may have toward the ACM the risk will naturally increase as most people perceive asbestos as being a high risk hazard. The following risk ratings include both the actual health-based risk posed the asbestos containing material as well as the perceived risk or public outrage factor. The outrage factor is based mainly on the physical condition of the ACM and its location in relation to the occupants. For example if the ACM situation being assessed is situated inside a service duct and is not accessible to the normal occupants then the outrage factor or perceived risk is likely to be lower than say an ACM situation situated inside the occupant s office. Low - Med - High - Typically includes ACM which is in either good or fair condition, is either bonded or semi-bonded, has low level disturbance AND is not likely to generate measurable levels (>0.01f/ml) of airborne asbestos in its current state. Typically includes bonded or semi-bonded ACM, which is in either fair or poor condition OR may include friable ACM in either good or fair condition that is not accessed on a regular basis, and which does not have the potential to enter the Air Supply, AND is not likely to generate measurable levels of airborne asbestos fibre in its current state. Typically includes friable or semi-bonded ACM (not bonded ACM that has become severely disturbed) that is in poor condition AND is either accessible to building occupants on a regular basis OR is in either fair or poor condition and has the potential to enter the Supply Air AND is unlikely to generate elevated levels (>0.01f/ml) of airborne asbestos. Very high - Typically includes friable or semi-bonded ACM (not bonded ACM that has become severely disturbed) that is in poor condition AND is either accessible to building occupants on a regular basis OR has the potential to enter the Supply Air AND is likely to have already generated elevated levels (>0.01f/ml) of airborne asbestos.

26 Unknown This assessment is applied to those ACM situations which may or may not be present and cannot be confirmed due to access restrictions. This assessment does not apply to Suspect situations which are visible but have not been sampled. * For building occupants including maintenance personnel during normal use. The risk assessment of the ACM is to be reviewed when: There is evidence that the risk assessment is no longer valid. There is evidence that controls methods are not effective. A significant change is proposed for the workplace or for work practices or. procedures relevant to the risk assessment. There is a change in the condition of the ACM. The ACM have been removed, enclosed or sealed. Risk assessment review to be conducted every 12 months or earlier. To be organised by HSC and Maintenance Manager Contracts. This is to be performed by a competent person.

27 APPENDIX 3 Sample - Asbestos Project Flow Chart Building, Engineering or Maintenance work is planned in a building constructed before ) Examine the Asbestos Register. 2) Obtain advice from the HSC about possible asbestos containing material (ACM). NO Will your work impinge on ACM? YES Project to be placed on the deferred maintenance works programme Consult with the HSC and OM. NO Are funds available to have the ACM removed? NO Have you obtained permission for Minor ACM works from the OM? YES YES Commission an asbestos removalist to remove the ACM. (Follow current procedures) Complete page 1 of PF430 and ensure that the asbestos removalist keeps a copy on site. to the OHS Unit, cleaning manager, and security manager notifying them of the asbestos removal project. CC the HSC into this . Commission an occupational hygienist to provide a clearance certificate and to perform air monitoring. Ensure the occupational hygienist completes page 2 of PF430. At the end of the job provide the HSC with a copy of PF430, the occupational hygienist s clearance certificate, the disposal certificate and EPA Waste Transport Certificates if required. Follow the procedure listed in appendix E,F,G,H and I of the Code of Practice [NOHSC:2018 (2005)] Continue with your project.

28 REFERENCES Australian Standard 1319: 1994 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment Australia / New Zealand Standard 1715: 1994 Selection Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Devices Australia / New Zealand Standard 1716: 2003 Respiratory Protective Devices National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) (2005), Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)], NOHSC, Canberra, Australia. National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) (2005), Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018(2005)[, NOHSC, Canberra, Australia National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) (2005), Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres [NOHSC: 3003 (2005)], NOHSC, Canberra, Australia. Queensland Government, Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, Queensland Government, Workplace Health and Safety regulation 1997 Queensland Government, Environmental Protection Act 1994 Queensland Government, Environmental Protection Regulation 1998