ASBESTOS & HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
HIDDEN DANGER
As one of the most dangerous and prevalent building materials, asbestos is a health and safety nightmare. Mark Krull, Director at Logic4training, examines the steps employers and those responsible for health and safety should take to ensure workers steer clear of this deadly substance.
Asbestos is one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities - in 2012, nearly 3,000 people died from an asbestos related disease, mesothelioma being the most common cause at over 2,500. It is also estimated that annually there may be as many asbestos related lung cancer deaths as mesothelioma ones, bringing the overall figure of asbestos caused fatalities to approximately 5,500.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 applies to employers, employees, self-employed persons and duty holders, covering all work with asbestos containing materials. Regulation 10 of CAR states that every employer must ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is given to employees who are liable to be exposed to asbestos. This includes maintenance workers and others who may come into contact with or disturb asbestos.
Before starting any work that is likely to disturb asbestos, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be prepared by the employer. These assessments are about identifying and controlling the risks, which in the case of asbestos include:
• Establishing whether asbestos is present and identifying who may be affected
• Assessing whether the asbestos can be removed or at least lower the risk
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as much as possible, with measures such as PPE or use of enclosures
• Decontamination procedures for tools and equipment
• Details of how asbestos waste will be managed
• Recording the findings of the risk assessment and the actions to be taken – employees must then be informed
Whoever carries out the assessment must have a sufficient level of knowledge, training and expertise. This is to make sure that they understand the risks in order to make informed decisions and identify the appropriate action required. They will also need to estimate the expected level of exposure and decide whether or not the control limit is likely to be exceeded.
TRAIN UP Logic4training has launched a range of online asbestos awareness training courses to help those likely to come into contact with this deadly material stay safe. Designed for builders, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, maintenance staff and the architects and designers tasked with dealing with buildings that may contain asbestos, the courses cover the different types of asbestos and the associated risks, as well as how to avoid exposure and keep in-line with current legislation.
FREE SUPPORT To help you understand the risks of asbestos in your day to day job, the HSE has launched a free Beware Asbestos web app which leads tradespeople through a list of simple multiple-choice questions about the type of building and asbestos containing material they are working on.
HSE are also distributing 200,000 asbestos safety kits to TradePoint stores across Great Britain. The kits include simple information to help tradespeople identify where they could come into contact with asbestos as well as how to stay safe. The kits also include a free pair of type 5 disposable overalls to support safer working with asbestos.
According to a recent HSE report, accidents and work related illness cost the economy £14.2bn last year. For individual businesses, this means a lack of productivity due to absent staff and for the staff who suffered, it led to ill health and in some cases, death. Being aware of the dangers of asbestos and other health and safety issues, such as fire safety and manual handling, is essential to safeguard your staff, while keeping your business profitable and free from reputation damaging law suits.
www.logic4training.co.uk
www.tomorrowshs.com
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