Guide to Asbestos in the Workplace

The following leaflet has been produced as a guide for general information on Asbestos in the workplace. Please read this information and if you have any questions contact the Maintenance Help Desk on x 3062.

Asbestos in the WorkplaceAsbestos is a natural mineral fibre which was used extensively in buildings prior to the year 2000 because of its good mechanical strength,

its thermal, sound insulating properties, and for its insulation and fire resistant properties. Asbestos can be found in a number of products including pipe lagging, wall insulation, false ceiling tiles, sprayed onto steelwork, external roofing material, guttering and down pipes, floor tiles, lining in fire doors, fume cupboards, ovens and gaskets, and as textured ceiling coatings (artex).

The supply and use of asbestos was prohibited in 1999, therefore any buildings built after this period should not contain asbestos. But buildings built before 1999 (particularly between 1950 and 1970) will probably contain asbestos.

Health ImplicationsAsbestos is likely to remain in our buildings for many years to come, however this does not mean that it poses a risk to staff and students. If left intact and undisturbed, asbestos presents no direct risk. However, disturbance of the material may result in the release of asbestos fibres into the environment and this could be detrimental to health.

The main route of entry into the body is via inhalation, i.e. through the nose and mouth when breathing. Asbestos fibres enter the lungs where, because they are

very resistant, they can remain indefinitely. The body is unable to deal with the fibres and slowly their presence in the lungs results in scar tissue being formed, which affects lung function.

Consequently the College is committed to ensure that all reasonably practicable steps are taken to prevent exposure of staff, students, contractors or visitors, caused by inadvertent or inadequately controlled disturbance of asbestos.

If I am in a building that contains asbestos, am I at risk? No. If asbestos containing products are left intact and undisturbed, they present no direct risk. But any disturbance liable to release harmful dust into the air creates a risk to health.

So what is the College doing to stop individuals being exposed to asbestos?The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations places legal duties on the College to “manage” asbestos on its premises. The College has carried out a building survey and has a register that identifies what type of asbestos is present in all of its buildings, and its location. From the Register, an Asbestos Management Plan has been produced which is used to decide what asbestos needs to be removed and what can stay in place because it does not present a significant risk. The register is used when any maintenance or contractor work needs to be carried out. It informs those who need to manage or work on buildings to be aware of where asbestos is located to take the necessary precautions.

There are also other control measures in place which form part of the College’s management system for asbestos. Other areas include a programme of asbestos removal, by licenced contracting firms, labelling of asbestos left in place, a monitoring system to ensure asbestos left remains in an undamaged state, training of maintenance and estates personnel on asbestos hazards and precautions.

Does this mean that asbestos issues are not my concern?No, everybody has a part to play in ensuring that people are not exposed to asbestos. Although a register is present that documents asbestos type and location, it is still possible that unidentified asbestos is located in buildings. There may, for example, be parts of the College that because of inaccessibility could not be surveyed. Asbestos management is a continuous process and it needs everybody to be aware of the risks involved.

What can I do to assist in the process? If you are a manager of an area, make sure that people are aware of the hazards and risks associated with asbestos.

If you see any damaged wall boards, ceilings tiles etc, or if you find suspect debris lying around e.g. debris from damaged wall boards/pipe work, do not disturb it but contact the Maintenance Help Desk.

Do not carry out your own repairs/alterations. All maintenance and building work, must go through the Estates Department. Asbestos becomes a risk when products are disturbed and asbestos fibres are released into the air.

Where can I get more information on Asbestos? The College’s Asbestos management Policy can be found on the intranet.

The HSE also provide general information on asbestos – www.hse.gov.uk.

Why doesn’t the College remove all asbestos from its buildings?Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive states that asbestos products that are in good condition and not liable to damage are best left where they are and regularly monitored, with any damage reported and repaired promptly.

The College follows these recommendations and asbestos containing materials are managed to ensure the management of asbestos in our buildings, plant and equipment.

Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) will be removed if they are damaged or they may be liable to be damaged under normal building use or during building work. Good practice including adhering to the asbestos risk assessment is followed in all aspects of asbestos management.

In many cases this ‘good practice’ goes further than the requirements of the Control of Asbestos Regulations and official guidance. An asbestos management policy and Management Plan have been produced stating how the College intends to manage asbestos containing materials.

Asbestos Control Arrangements The College undertakes asbestos inspections on an annual basis. All relevant College buildings have been surveyed to identify, where reasonably practicable, the presence, extent and condition of asbestos containing materials. The surveys are undertaken and reported by a UKAS-accredited consultant, in accordance with HSE guidance. The information collected during asbestos surveys is held in an electronic database, the Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) System.

The information can be accessed via the Asbestos Manager/Deputy.

All identified ACMs will be appropriately labelled as shown.

Reporting Suspected Asbestos DamageIf anyone suspects that an ACM has been disturbed and that Asbestos fibres have

accidentally been released, the following action should be taken immediately:

1. Evacuate the area without causing unnecessary alarm and cordon off / secure the area until a full assessment has been completed.

2. Report the incident immediately to the Maintenance Help Desk on Extension 3062 (01784 44 3062).

Further advice and details can be obtained from the College’s Asbestos Manager on ext 4637.

Acoustic tiles often have 15% Asbestos fibres as reinforcement.

Photographs taken (by Redhills) under the contract work undertaken for the Asbestos Management Survey of the College.

Floor Covering

Textile seal on oven

Toilet Cistern

Panel to Fireplace asbestos insulation board FW Department Office.

Thermal insulation to high level pipes pipe insulation in sealed asbestos insulation board good condition FE corridors.

Royal Holloway, University of London Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX T: +44 (0)1784 434455royalholloway.ac.uk