Asbestos Knowledge Empire

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss what do you do if you don't have the budget to sort out your asbestos problems?

If you haven't got the budget, here's some points to consider:

• Assess the risk
• Can you lock off / isolate the areas
• Restrict all access and permit to work areas
• Plan removal / remedials in budget for next year
• Get an asbestos consultant on board early to help in managing ongoing
• Undertake air monitoring, completed regularly to show the areas are safe and not being disturbed

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the 3 things you need to know that highlight you've hired the wrong asbestos consultants.

You may have hired the wrong asbestos consultant if…

1. You have to babysit them
2. They've got their own interest at heart
3. They don't know your systems

In this episode, Neil and Ian interview Cassandra Fernandez who is a Senior Hazardous Materials Consultant based in Sydney Australia. Cassandra shares here views and experiences surrounding the asbestos industry in Australia.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the requirements surrounding non asbestos trades entering asbestos enclosures.

From time to time there may be a requirement for other trades to enter asbestos enclosures to complete works. This could be in an emergency to or to repair services to enable the asbestos works to be completed. These trades will be required to be satisfactory competency to complete this safely.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss how you can take advantage of the potential slow down face by the corona virus.

In this week's episode, Neil and Ian answer the question...

Can the protective equipment you use for asbestos works be used for Coronavirus?

And the answer is no, but why to be use the equipment we use with asbestos. In summary they cover:

Under the law, RPE is the last line of protection. HSG53 Respiratory protective equipment at work specifies

Employers have a legal responsibility under all the Regulations to control substances hazardous to health in your workplace

Work activities may result in harmful substances contaminating the air in the form of dust, mist, vapour, gas or fume

The two main types of RPE are respirators and breathing apparatus:

1. Respirators (filtering devices) use filters to remove contaminants from the air being breathed in.

They can be either:

a. Pon-powered respirators – relying on the wearer's breathing to draw air through the filter; or

b. Powered respirators – using a motor to pass air through the filter to give a supply of clean air.

2. Breathing apparatus needs a supply of breathing-quality air from an independent source (eg air cylinder or air compressor

You should only select and use RPE:

Where an inhalation exposure risk remains after you have put in place other reasonable controls (residual risk);

Under the law, RPE is the last line of protection

Carrying out a fit test RPE with a tight-fitting facepiece, you should make sure that each wearer undergoes a fit test

Half or full face powered respirator with a P3 filter

Type 5 (BS EN ISO 13982-1+A1) coveralls

Nick Garland: Neil & Ian Interview asbestos and health & safety expert Nick Garland.

With nearly thirty years' experience under his belt, Nick provides health and safety management advice, asbestos audit, expert witness testimony, competence and compliance systems to the asbestos and construction industry.

He holds a post graduate degree in health, safety and environmental management from Portsmouth University and has completed NEBOSH H&S qualifications as well as numerous professional project management courses.

In 2014 Nick systemised his innovative approach to H&S in the asbestos industry and launched Assure360.

www.assure360.co.uk

Twitter - @NickGarland360

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the importance of thinking about asbestos first before purchasing a property.

Asbestos should be top of your due diligence list whenever considering the purchase of a property. This will not only help you consider if the property is fit for your use, but could also save you thousands if identified at the right stage of the process.

Find out what you need to know in this episode.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the issues surrounding asbestos works which involve working in hot environments.

Hot working Examples: Boiler rooms, ducts and confined spaces, Attics in summer, Working outside in summer e.g. polyethene enclosures next to glazing,

Issues around enclosures failing (falling down)

Additional hot risks within: steam pipes, heating pipes which also bring a risk of serious burns from first degree where only the outer layer of the skin is affected

up to fourth degree burns where burns go through the layers of the skin and affect the deeper tissue affecting the muscle and bone

Issues around operatives working temperatures

What's too hot and how do you work around this?

Normal body temperature is between 36.1°C to 37.2°C. If it rises above 38°C, something serious is going wrong.

What are the effects of heat stress?

Heat stress can affect individuals in different ways, and some people are more susceptible to it than others.

Typical symptoms are:

• an inability to concentrate
• muscle cramps
• heat rash
• severe thirst - a late symptom of heat stress
• fainting
• heat exhaustion - fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin
• heat stroke - hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage

Heat stroke – a body temperature above 40°C -is fatal without urgent attention

The body can cool itself even if the outside temperature is hotter than body temperature.

Further complicated if you're active or wearing clothing

What can you do?

Firstly, can you eliminate the risk from the heat? Turn boilers off, postpone the works until winter?

How can you reduce?

Introduce greater air flow into the enclosure with additional negative pressure.

Introduce air coolers or conditioning units to lower the temperature

Reduce working times and introduce regular breaks. Prevent dehydration by supplying cool water and encourage workers to drink frequently.

Personnel requirements

Ensure the operatives are adequately trained.

Advise on the risks of heat stress,

What the symptoms to look out for

Safe working practices

Emergency procedures.

To mark the 50th episode, Neil and Ian look at some of the key points from the last 50 episodes. Covering all the key elements of asbestos management.

Highlight episodes include:

Asbestos Emergencies - What to do

Specifications for asbestos removal works, what's the point?

How do you get the right asbestos contractor?

How do you get the right asbestos surveyor?

Asbestos Management Surveys

Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

Asbestos Material Risk Assessments & Priority Risk Assessments

20 Year Anniversary and Latest Statistics