UKasl Courses

Module 5 : Overview

In this module we will:

1. Explain what the law says in relation to employers and building owners

2. Explain the different types of survey to identify asbestos

3. Explain the importance of risk assessments

You will learn about:

1. Clear and specific regulations to protect you from asbestos

2. The importance of surveys and the asbestos register during building works

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Module 5 : Myth or Fact (1 of 2)

Here are some common myths and facts about asbestos. Think about the question below and answer is it a myth, or is it fact? Simply give your answer below.

1. As long as you wear a dust mask you will be protected from asbestos.

A. Myth B. Fact

Answer: Wearing protective clothing alone which may include a dust mask may offer some protection, however it is a legal requirement to undergo additional training to cover the use of such equipment. You should NEVER accept this as a true statement.

Answer: Wearing protective clothing alone which may include a dust mask may offer some protection, however it is a legal requirement to undergo additional training to cover the use of such equipment. You should NEVER accept this as a true statement.
Module 5 : Myth or Fact (2 of 2)

Here are some common myths and facts about asbestos. Think about the question below and answer is it a myth, or is it fact? Simply give your answer below.

2. Private landlords are exempt from the asbestos regulations.

A. Myth B. Fact

Answer: Private landlords are also required under various pieces of health and safety legislation to ensure that anyone who works or lives on their property are safe from risks to health. This includes protecting against asbestos exposure.

Answer: Private landlords are also required under various pieces of health and safety legislation to ensure that anyone who works or lives on their property are safe from risks to health. This includes protecting against asbestos exposure.
Module 5 : Employers and Building Owners Responsibilities (1 of 6)

The Law states that:

"Employers must not carry out any refurbishment, maintenance or demolition work or carry out any other work which may expose employees to asbestos unless they have established whether asbestos is, or may be, present within the building. They must also identify the type of asbestos, the amount of asbestos and its condition".

Employers and building owners must undertake a suitable and sufficient survey to satisfy this requirement.

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Module 5 : Employers and Building Owners Responsibilities (2 of 6)

There are two types of survey available:

1. The Management Survey

This should be used to identify all ACMs that could be disturbed during everyday use of the building, this should include all foreseeable maintenance activities.

2. The Refurbishment & Demolition Survey

A comprehensive, full access survey which should identify all ACMs within the building. The survey should be undertaken before any refurbishment is made to the building.

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Module 5 : Employers and Building Owners Responsibilities (3 of 6)

Information, instruct and train

The Regulations state that the employer must ensure that they give suitable training to employees, supervisors and managers. The following regulations are all applicable 4, 5, 6 & 10.

Prevent, reduce and protect

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Module 5 : Employers and Building Owners Responsibilities (4 of 6)

Health and Safety at work act 1974

Employers have always had a long established legal duty of care to prevent the exposure of their employees, sub-contractors and members of the public to all hazards (which of course include asbestos) under various sections and regulations within the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Management of Health at Work Regulations. These both require risk assessments to be carried out on all work activities.

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Module 5 : Employers and Building Owners Responsibilities (5 of 6)

The duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises

The person or persons who by contract of ownership or control of a non-domestic building have a duty to manage any asbestos which it contains. This 'duty holder' must take reasonable steps to discover if asbestos is present in the premises, how much there is, and what condition it is in.

Building owners should assume asbestos is present until a full asbestos survey is carried out, remembering that any building built before the year 2000 could contain asbestos. The results of any asbestos survey should be recorded and the information provided in the form of the asbestos ‘register’. It is your employer’s legal right to request this document as it will contain the essential information of where asbestos could be or is present within the work area.

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Module 5 : Employers and Building Owners Responsibilities (6 of 6)

Risk assessment

All employers have a legal duty to protect employees, particularly building and maintenance contractors who are at the highest risk whilst at work. To assist them to comply with this requirement they MUST carry out risk assessments of all work activities. Where any activities involved work in buildings that may contain asbestos, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to identify the dangers MUST be undertaken. Employers MUST ensure that employees have access to these risk assessments, to avoid exposure to asbestos.

Landlords

Landlords have legal duties, both to tenants and anyone who works on their property, to pass on information relating to all hazards which could cause harm to health. This must include asbestos.

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Module 5 : Summary

In this module you have learnt:

1. That there are two types of survey to identify asbestos

2. That training plays an important part in protecting you from asbestos

3. That the Duty to Manage is applied to non-domestic buildings

4. That your employer MUST carry out risk assessments for all work activities

5. That surveys should be carried out before work starts

6. That tenants and members of the public should also be protected

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Module 5 : Question 1

Which occupational groups in the UK are most at risk from exposure to asbestos?

A. Hairdressers and shop assistants B. Office workers and bank staff C. Building and maintenance contractors D. Coal Miners
Module 5 : Question 2

Which one of the following statements is true?

A. Asbestos is only found in buildings constructed before 1975 B. Asbestos was NOT used after 1985 C. Asbestos can be found in any building built before 2000 D. Asbestos was not used after 1965
Module 5 : Question 3

Who is responsible for preventing you from being exposed to asbestos?

A. Your trade union B. Your employer C. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) D. The council
Module 5 : Question 4

When you are working in a non-domestic building, the 'duty holder' has a legal requirement to provide you or your employer with an asbestos register. What does this document contain?

A. A full description of the asbestos that has been removed from the building B. A full description of the types of materials that do not contain asbestos C. A full description of where any identified and presumed asbestos is within the building D. A full description of where presumed asbestos is present within the building
Module 5 : Question 5

It is a requirement of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 that employers should?

A. Expose employees to asbestos B. Prevent exposure to asbestos to their employees C. Do nothing with regard to asbestos as that is down to the HSE D. Ask their employees to ignore the dangers of asbestos

In this module we will:

You will learn about:

1. As long as you wear a dust mask you will be protected from asbestos.

2. Private landlords are exempt from the asbestos regulations.

The Law states that:

1. The Management Survey

2. The Refurbishment & Demolition Survey

Information, instruct and train

Prevent, reduce and protect

Health and Safety at work act 1974

The duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises

Risk assessment

Landlords

In this module you have learnt: