HSE publishes new Asbestos Essentials guidance
The Health and Safety Executive have published guidance on their website to help small businesses, both subcontractors and installers - to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. The material is also designed to help duty-holders, clients, trade union and employee safety representatives know how work should be done.
The information is set out in helpful Task Sheets that describe ‘good practice’.
These can be accessed at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm
or by clicking any one of the links below.
The guidance sheets cover…
How to drill hole in asbestos insulating board (AIB)
Removing an AIB ceiling tile
Removing fireproofed door
Removing 1m2 screwed board
Cleaning light fittings
Repairing minor damage
Painting undamaged board
Enclosure of asbestos materials to prevent damage
Removing paper linings
Removing friction linings
Removing fire blankets
Cable laying (undamaged asbestos)
Removing bituminous products
Removing cladding with bitumen
Removing floor tiles
Textile duct connector
Removing fire gasket or rope seal
Drilling a hole in asbestos cement (AC)
Cleaning AC guttering
Removing AC debris
Cleaning old roof / cladding
Repairing damaged AC sheets
Removal of sheets, gutters, etc
Removal of flues, tanks, etc
Painting AC sheets
Drilling and boring through textured coatings
Inserting and removing screws through textured coating
Removing textured coating from a small area, e.g. 1 square metre
Clearing up debris following collapse of a ceiling or wall covered with textured coating
Asbestos discovery
Training for work with asbestos
Mini asbestos enclosures
Wetting to reduce exposure to asbestos
Personal decontamination
Disposal of asbestos waste
Two-stage airlock for textured coating removal
Model statement of cleanliness after textured coating removal
Type H vacuum cleaner for use with asbestos containing materials
Personal Protective Equipment for asbestos
Cleaning rags
Main points in the guidance are:
• If you have any doubts, ask the client to employ an HSE-licensed asbestos contractor.
• Work with or disturbance of any type of asbestos-containing material can be dangerous.
• Training is required to work safely with asbestos-containing materials.
IOM is able to provide comprehensive advice and guidance about asbestos problems.