Lets Talk ShopEffective asbestos managementSafety & Health Expo 2014, Excel London

Martin Stear BSc DipOH CFFOH

Chartered Occupational Hygienist

BOHS Faculty Registrar

The 21st century asbestos challenges of retail

The exposed group Large numbers (inc. children) Staff – casual, seasonal, young etc.

The environment Lots of ACMs were used Services hidden in voids Maintaining a contemporary look

The work Maintenance whilst trading Refurbishment whilst trading 24/7 trading

Asbestos and retail - dutyholders

Cases of poor asbestos management – some in retail

Time & Space

Inadequate

planning/control

Poor/no survey

Poor control of maintenance

No focus for control

Competent advice - surveying

Restrictions

It should be noted that occupied buildings place certain

restrictions on the scope of the survey in respect of access

and sampling strategyIts too high

Competent advice - surveying

Is it safe to work?

Competent advice - other matters

Inspections - what, when and why?

Managing survey data Managing removal works Air sampling and when is it

safe? Clearance testing Etc.

Retail Asbestos Working Group (RAWG)

A Group of Health & Safety Managers & Directors from some key players in the retail sector

Share good practice standards for asbestos management in the retail sector

HSE, BRC, BOHS ACAD, ARCA and ATAC are supportive of the initiative

RAWG guidance published

“Asbestos Management in the Retail Sector: Interpreting the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012” Published October 2013

Authored by Martin Stear – Chartered

Occupational Hygienist Rob Blackburn – Asbestos Consultant

http://www.brc.org.uk/asbestos-guidance

What does the guidance do?

Establishes a good working practice standard for asbestos management in the retail sector Flexibility - not rules for retail Complements HSE guidance but does not

challenge or contradict “Good” and not “best” practice

Targeted at retailers but also those who work in retail

Targeted at small independent shops to large retailers

Asbestos surveying

Asbestos can be hidden in voids and cavities, and behind may shop refits

The survey should address the full scope of any maintenance or building works

Continued store trading is not a reason for a sub-standard survey – NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SURVEYOR SAYS

Maintenance

A pipe bursts

The plumber arrives to fix the leak

?

Leak fixed

Store closed for 2 weeks

If this step is poorly considered then asbestos will be disturbed

Different approaches

Time and

Space

Close the

shop

Close a floor

Hoard the

floor

Crash deck

scaffold

Barriers and

cones

Etc.

Zoning

0.1 – 0.2 metres/sec

Is the void <0.01 fibre/ml?

Ceiling voids are a huge issue for retail and most sectors

What’s Safe!!!!

<0.01 fibre/cm3

<10,000 fibre/m3

<0.0005 fibre/cm3

<500 fibre/m3

New Analysts Guide?? = <0.002 fibre/cm3

Leak tests Reassurance tests

Background exposure – store air

Background air tests (PCM) carried out in stores

Location No. Of Results

Range(fibres/ml) LoQ Mean

(fibres/ml)

Store 1 8 0.0003 to 0.0012 <0.0005 0.0007

Store 2 8 0.0003 to 0.0033 <0.0005 0.0013

Store 3 8 0.0001 to 0.0003 <0.0005 0.0002

Store 4 8 0.0013 to 0.0029 <0.0005 0.0017

Store 5 8 0.0009 to 0.0040 <0.0005 0.0019

TOTAL 40 0.0001 to 0.0040 <0.0005 0.0012

Background exposure – void air

Void tests – AHU on/off14 tests – PCM / SEM<0.005 fibre/ml PCM<0.001 fibre/ml SEM

0.1 – 0.2 metres/sec

RAWG - next steps

Good practice standards Influencing policy Technical expertise Further guidance? Landlord / tenants

2014 Event

RAWG are proposing an asbestos seminar for the retail sector in September 2014