So far in this module we have shown you the different types of ACMs which can be present within buildings constructed before 2000. 

REMEMBER! It is the legal duty of your employer and the building owner, to ensure that you are informed of the presence of any presumed or identified ACMs in the building or the area you are working in.

The information that they supply you with will come from an asbestos survey. Although the survey is a very useful document, the key piece of information that will inform you of the locations of these ACMs is called 'the asbestos register'.

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In this section of the training course we want to make sure that you fully understand the document used to risk assess and manage ACMs.

Remember, asbestos in materials pose no risk to your health if they are left undisturbed and managed correctly.

This means that anyone at risk is informed of the dangers before any work commences.

To enable building owners and employers to ensure your safety when working on site they must produce a document commonly referred to as ‘the asbestos register’.

 

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Asbestos was used extensively throughout the UK, especially in construction and building materials.

Most buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000 are affected by this legacy.

The adverse health effects arising from asbestos exposure are well known and recent research indicates that exposure to airborne fibres is more widespread and presents a greater risk than previously thought.

Stop! Think! Asbestos?

• Do I know if asbestos is present?
• Is it high risk material that requires a licensed contractor?
• Have I been trained to work with asbestos?
• Do I have the correct equipment?

 

 

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UK health and safety legislation places responsibilities on employers, employees and the self-employed to reduce work related risks, and ACMs MUST be considered a potential risk.

Employers and duty holders are required to carry out risk assessments and take practical measures to control identified risks.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations requires building owners and employers to manage asbestos risks effectively and the Asbestos Register is a useful tool for meeting these obligations.

• Each week approximately 20 tradesmen die from this hidden killer.
• Thousands of tradesmen are unknowingly working with asbestos. Are you one of them?
• Each week approximately 8 joiners, 6 electricians and 4 plumbers die from asbestos-related diseases.

 

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The Register will list ACMs used during the construction or refurbishment of the building.

This includes any plant and equipment that may contain ACMs such as gaskets, ropes and seals.

It provides – as far as reasonably practicable – information on the location, type and material risk rating of any ACMs identified.

It also highlights any areas that were not accessed at the time of the survey.

Asbestos surveys can be limited in scope and the potential for hidden or inaccessible ACMs can exist.

It is especially important to consider this when undertaking work which includes the disturbance of any suspected ACMs.

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The Register is based upon thorough investigations and testing carried out by accredited asbestos consultancies that meet strict quality standards.

To minimise the chances of having errors or omissions, only appropriately trained professionals should undertake asbestos surveys.  

The Register is typically based upon the results of surveys carried out to standards detailed by the official guidance published by the HSE.

Earlier surveys were of a similar standard and were known as either Type 1, 2 or 3 surveys.

These ‘older’ surveys can still be very useful and can be referred to when planning any work, however they may need updating to bring them in line with any current guidance or legislation.

The older surveys are no longer used to identify asbestos in buildings. We now have two types of surveys undertaken. Their names are:

1. The Management Survey
2. The Refurbishment and Demolition Survey

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Historically paper copies of the Asbestos Register were issued in the form of a building specific site register.

Now it is more common to find registers issued in the form of online systems.

The online registers can enable building owners and employers to easily access the information and extract site-specific details.

These details can be issued at the early stages of a construction or refurbishment project.

This allows the contractors and in-house trades to plan the work safely.

For shared occupancy premises, access to the online asbestos register will be provided to each and every department occupying the building.

This builds upon the previous situation where a single control copy was issued in the first instance.

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The Asbestos Register should always be used in the management of asbestos and to assist prevention or control of exposure to workers.

It provides asbestos information to the following, which can include:

• Duty holders and persons in charge of buildings
• Property professionals and facility managers
• Maintenance staff
• Contractors
• Tradesmen
• Consultants and designers
• Any person about to start work affecting the fabric of the building

 

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Under current health and safety legislation, employers are required to carry out risk assessments of the workplace and to take reasonable measures to control the risks identified.

Building owners and employers must implement an effective solution but this requires everyone’s co-operation.

The Asbestos Register should be made available to anyone who may be planning any work, which involves the disturbance of materials within the building it relates to.

It is also important that responsible persons takes charge of the Register as this will allow inspection by anyone needing the information, such as workers who are about to undertake any maintenance or building work which affects the property.

The Register must be consulted at the planning stage.

Any queries should be verified prior to the commencement of work.

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Information in the Asbestos Register can sometimes be based on a limited survey inspection for example the Management Survey that only provides an assessment suitable for general building occupation.

This Management Survey does not detect hidden or concealed ACMs within the building fabric or those that the surveyor was unable to access at the time of the survey.

In addition, certain room areas may have been out of bounds during the survey and not included within the findings. 

Asbestos materials must always be presumed to be present in any areas where no access was given during the survey.

Management surveys are not suitable for undertaking demolition, building project works or maintenance activities of an invasive nature.

In this instance a Refurbishment/Demolition survey is always required before commencing this type of work. 

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In this module you have learnt:

1. That not all asbestos materials pose the same risk

2. That asbestos can be found in ANY building built before 2000

3. That fire protection and insulation materials pose a higher risk

4. That bonded and composite materials pose a lower risk

5. That the asbestos register is a legal requirement

6. That the asbestos register should be provided before work commences

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