BWF members such as yourselves frequently use our Member and Technical Helplines for assistance on a wide range of Employment, Health and Safety, Contractual and Technical issues. We’re putting up a frequently asked question every Tuesday in order to help members and illustrate the type of advice we are able to provide. If you have any questions that you would like to see featured, we would be happy to assist. This question and many others like it can be found in our Question Centre. If you want further advice on any of the issues, don’t hesitate to ring the helpline or browse our extensive publications library, which includes a sample risk assessment, briefings on accident reporting and investigations, and a model COSHH policy document. This week: Do I need to have an asbestos survey done for my premises? Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, and working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres, could increase the chances of getting an asbestos-related disease. Statistics provided by the HSE indicate that that every week on average, asbestos related diseases contribute to the death of 4 plumbers, 20 tradesmen, 6 electricians and 8 joiners. Under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006, in the case of non-domestic premises, the duty to manage asbestos is directed at those who manage the premises. This covers the people with responsibility for protecting others who work in such premises (or use them in other ways) from the risks to ill health that exposure to asbestos causes. The dutyholder is required to: 1. take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in;
2. presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not;
3. make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos containing materials – or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos;
4. assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified;
5. prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed;
6. take the necessary steps to put the plan into action;
7. periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date; and
8. provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them. For further guidance, please follow these links to find out: Where you might find asbestos in your premises
//www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/gallery.htm How to protect yourself