Asbestos in the workplace

South Cumbria Occupational Health & Safety Group

joint meeting with

South Cumbria IOSH District

Future meetings
& July 2007 Minutes

August meeting: 16th August 2007, Tronic, Ulverston 14.00 hrs; book with John Westmoreland, 01524 822 072
Topic: Works visit, Tronic, Ulverston; safety shoes mandatory
Host: John Hannah, HSEQC Manager, Tronic, Ulverston
NB No meeting at the Netherwood Hotel in August

October seminar: 18th October 2007, The Netherwood Hotel, 09.00 to 16.00 hrs
www.netherwood-hotel.co.uk

Topic: Prevent Work-Related Dermatitis

Speakers: HSE Specialist speakers
Seminar fee: £60 per delegate (including tea, coffee lunch and delegate handouts)
Further information: www.ioshmanchester.co.uk or www.hse.gov.uk

JULY MEETING MINUTES

Topic: Asbestos surveys
Speaker: David Balshaw, Consultant Surveyor
Date: 2pm, Thursday 16th July 2007
Venue: Netherwood Hotel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria

SCOHSG chairman, Ernie Burton, introduced David.

David explained that he had worked in facilities management and in health and safety for many years before becoming an H & S consultant specialising in asbestos surveys. He had also having stripped his own house of asbestos!

He reminded us of the three common types of asbestos: white, brown, blue, in ascending order of hazard (due to varying fibre length, shape, resilience, and persistence in vivo). He said that asbestos was still present in many buildings (including schools), and in many products. For instance:
Chrysotile (white) is found in roof sheets, gutters, plastics, sealants, floor tiles, PPE, brake linings, flash guards, gaskets, fire blankets, cements;
Amosite (brown) in insulation board, lagging, fire door filling, partitions, ceilings (favoured due to its water tolerance); and
*Crocidolite (blue) in mattress infill, spray coatings, lagging, insulation board, ropes, cable protection.
*causes Mesothelioma, an incurable cancer, that can take 30 to 40 years to develop.

The three types of asbestos may also be mixed and may be present in soffits, glazing pads, linings, fillets, rope gaskets, drainpipes, lift brake pads, chimney plates, textured coatings, and black lavatory seats. Thus it has been used for thermal, electrical, and sound insulation, cladding, filling, lining, packing and decoration.

Much asbestos came from South Africa and Canada until imports were stopped in 1990 but there are still asbestos products in many thousands of non domestic and domestic buildings and products. As well as the health effects now occurring; 40 years after asbestos exposure (not restricted to occupational), it remains a potential health hazard during cleaning, decoration, maintenance, refurbishment, or demolition, depending on its condition and the extent of any disturbance. David illustrated this part of his talk with photos of asbestos locations, circulated sealed asbestos samples from a variety of locations, and showed us about the diagram from HSE MDHS 100 giving typical locations for asbestos.

David then moved on to explain the three types of asbestos surveys:
1. Presumptive survey - based on a visual inspection, identifying possible asbestos materials. It therefore tends to over classify. All such likely asbestos must be documented, for reference by maintainers, for instance. Access to view must be made as necessary.
2. Non-invasive, or Sampling Survey - involves sampling all suspicious materials (the sampling site then being sealed and identified, and possibly photographed). David explained that he uses a specially shaped corer, which allows the sample to slide straight into a poly bag. Again access must be made as far as possible and non accessed areas recorded. Samples must be analysed by a UKAS accredited lab, who report on the type of asbestos, and possibly on the mix.
3. Invasive survey - required prior to refurbishment or demolition, sampling should cover all materials (excluding the obvious like glass etc:). As before, records and photographs are required, with sampling points identified etc… Samples have to be sealed, covered and labelled. Inaccessible areas must be presumed to be asbestos, unless there is clear evidence that they are not. For removal, HSE licensed contractors are required, who must give HSE 14 days notice of the work. (The only exceptions to this are asbestos cement and artex, but asbestos precautions are required and time/exposure limits apply). David said that firms could take their own initial samples for external analysis, but invasive surveys had to be done by competent persons eg are qualifying courses (run by BOHS) for surveying and related work.

David also explained HSE Asbestos Risk Assessment Algorithm, which allocates defined scores under the following headings: Location, Condition, Vulnerability, Bonding/Composition, Covering/Sealant, Fibre - Type and Count. A score of 12* is OK (subject to continuing surveillance), 12-18* requires protection, and >18* dictates removal. This information is included in HSE guidance on the management of asbestos. [*The "duty to manage"].

In discussion, various points were noted: signage and security must be maintained on asbestos containing buildings if unoccupied [emergency services need to be aware of asbestos]; the additional costs of types 2 and 3 surveys relate to the extra sampling and analysis; it is not unknown for glass fibre linings to be finished off with asbestos; the need to use accredited laboratories for sampling was emphasised; and finally information was given on recent developments in help for Mesothelioma cases.
Ernie thanked David for his talk, which those present were obviously able to relate to.

Val then told us about the recent loss of her brother to Mesothelioma, and the suffering he underwent, following minor exposure some 40 years ago. He progressively experienced a dry cough, chest pain, weight loss, lack of breath, fluid on the lung, blowing of talc into the lung to confine the growth, great pain, and unsuccessful sessions of chemotherapy. She made passionate plea to us all to take care if we came into contact with suspected asbestos and to help educate young people about its potential presence in building and the dangers of removing it without taking the correct precautions.

Alan Knott, SCOHSG President, then presented Ernie with a leaving gift of an engraved glass bowl, thanking him for all his work for the Group in several different roles, and wishing him well for the future, in Scotland. Ernie responded in turn with his thanks to group members for their support over the years.

Announcements were then made about overdue subs, future events, a call for volunteers to "stuff" flyers, and a letter of thanks received from Steve Smith, HSE Carlisle.

Early warning was given of a brief SGM during the September meeting - to elect a new Chairman and to fill the Committee vacancy (nomination forms are available from J Westmoreland).

On enquiry, a majority of people supported a 1.30 start for meetings; this will also be put to the September SGM.

Ernie then closed the meeting, which was followed by a Committee meeting, at which Carol Stearne was co-opted onto the Committee.