Asbestos management: Are you top of the class?
Apr 27, 2010
A report was issued by the Asbestos Testing and Consultants Association (AtaC) in January 2010 following a pilot study of a small sample of schools to assess their standard of asbestos management. The results of the study reflected the common findings within schools which is that the majority are not managing their asbestos effectively or safely. The assessment found common faults that were not only bad practice, but also contravened the regulations and demonstrated a basic lack of asbestos awareness and training.
The study found:
- faults with the quality of surveys carried out
- lack of effective asbestos management systems and plans
- a lack of clarity over responsibilities and who was legally the duty holder
- poor levels of training
This small scale study of schools supports the findings of Wilby Risk Management risk assessors in their work with duty holders across a wide range of industries. Confusion or inadequate knowledge regarding asbestos in premises may be compounded by a recent change to the guidance issued by the HSE for asbestos surveys. The new asbestos survey guide, HSG 264, issued by the HSE details a major change in the types of survey recommended. Previously there had been three survey types - 1, 2 and 3. These have been replaced by a Management Survey or a Refurbishment or Demolition Survey.
The Management Survey is the standard survey that should be carried out for the continued management of asbestos in premises. It may involve bulk sampling for asbestos and /or presuming the presence or absence of asbestos. Management surveys may involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance. The extent of intrusion will vary between premises and will depend on what is reasonably practicable for individual properties.
The Refurbishment or Demolition Survey will involve destructive inspection as necessary, to gain access to all locations, including those that may be difficult to reach. In the case of a demolition project, all areas of the building will be surveyed.
The new guidance also addresses caveats that appear in asbestos surveys often inserted by the assessor with regard to areas of a property not assessed or the surveying techniques used. The guidance indicates caveats should be avoided wherever possible and should be agreed with the duty holder and the asbestos surveyor before the survey is carried out. Restrictions on the survey scope or on the techniques/methods used by the surveyor can seriously undermine the value and the usefulness of the survey.
For your free copy of the HSE’s Asbestos: The Survey Guide, contact Wilby Risk Management on 01422 358 525 or click here to contact our risk management consultants.
