By K M Kelly
When considering an asbestos removal project there are a number of considerations. These regulatory issues are detailed below. The revised asbestos Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 20026 requires that before any work is carried out with asbestos, a written assessment including risk assessment (method statement) should be prepared and a copy held on site.
The assessment should include the following:-
Type of Work
Type of asbestos or the assumption that it is (blue) crocidolite or (brown) amosite
Details of expected exposure to the workers and whether the control limit or action limit is likely to be exceeded. For work other than with asbestos cement externally it should be assumed, until proven otherwise, that the control limit will be exceeded.
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to be used.
Steps to control exposure and release of asbestos to the general environment.
Procedures for provision and use of RPE
Procedures for removal of waste from the area
Emergency procedures - full site specific safety plan.
It is particularly important that the asbestos removals work is strictly segregated from other works on site and, as far as possible, all asbestos materials are removed before any demolition works.
Work at a particular site may involve a single method or a combination of methods of asbestos removals. The methods of work and control will be such as to ensure that asbestos dust is, as far as practical, confined within the designated working areas.
Stripping methods may be generally defined as follows:-
1. Wet Stripping
2. Cleaning by high pressure water jets
3. Surfactant Stripping (Gel Methods)
All methods should be discussed with the Client and/or his representative who must be fully aware of what is involved in the method selected.
Asbestos stripping shall, wherever possible, be by "wet" stripping techniques. The only exception will be where there are strong health & safety or technical reasons which prevent the use of less dusty methods, e.g. work on hot plant or pipes, work which if done wet may introduce electrical or "chemical hazards".
Dust control for dry strip will be by extraction/vacuum equipment being used at the workface, (shadow vacuuming) the Type of equipment used will depend on the particular work being done.
To prevent contamination, during the course of asbestos removal operations, of adjacent property, plant, equipment & persons, the areas of asbestos removals should be completely sealed under negative pressure.
In containing asbestos removal operations, two methods are used:
(i) Use of building, structure or room as the actual containment structure.
This would require the sealing of all windows, doors, roof openings & other incidental openings such as ducting, pipe-work electrical services etc.
The condition of any existing building etc., which may cause considerable final cleaning e.g. ledges, voids, ducts, plant, equipment & rough surfaces, must be taken into account before any asbestos removal work commences.
In circumstances as above it may be the case that an enclosure is built within the building site.
(ii) Specially constructed enclosures to contain affected areas.
The erection of framed tents using 1000 gauge or 600 gauges polythene sheeting.
The framing may be specially constructed timber frames or specifically constructed scaffold structures. For enclosures constructed from scaffolding equipment, the polythene sheeting must be affixed inside the scaffold structure.
The scaffold structure shall incorporate "ranch fencing" or "vertical decking" at suitable intervals, in order that the polythene sheeting can be stapled securely to provide a stable containment.
Open ended scaffold tubes within the area of the enclosure must be sealed, preferably using scaffold end caps. All scaffold fittings within the area of the enclosure must be wrapped & taped.
All scaffold boards mist be fully sheeted & sealed to prevent contamination.
All gaps in boarding or flooring must be closed or covered to prevent areas which could be punctured or cause trip hazards to asbestos removal workers.
Polythene sheeting is sealed using 75mm poly-cloth tape & a spray contact adhesive.
When Spray adhesive is being used operatives must wear an ori-nasal respirator fitted with an organic vapour/fume filter, to protect the user against the toxic vapours & fumes from the adhesive.
This equipment must be worn at all times when using the adhesive. Filters must be changed as soon as the smell of vapour or fumes is detected.
Warning signs shall be displayed around the exterior of the enclosure.
Typically these will be worded.
Caution - Asbestos Removals Work in Progress.
Strictly No Admittance to Unauthorised Persons.
When and where necessary barriers will be erected around the enclosure to prevent damage to the structure.
Smoke Tests
In order to test that the enclosure is completely sealed prior to asbestos removal work commences, smoke is released within the enclosure either by smoke pellets or smoke matching.
All smoke tests must be carried out with any extraction equipment switched off.
The PA Group are based in Kent. We offer asbestos related services throughout the UK. Our services include Asbestos Management/Refurbishment/Demolition surveys. Asbestos Remediation and Removal. Asbestos Sampling. We are fully accredited by UKAS for Sampling and Surveying and hold a three year Asbestos removal license from the HSE.
We can assist you in raising asbestos awareness among your employees. We can contribute to the preparation and maintenance of your asbestos management plan and register.
Keith Kelly is the Business Development Manager for PA Group (UK) Ltd visit our website http://www.pagroupuk.com or follow us on Twitter http://Twitter.com/pagroupuk
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