asbestos - aarms · • establish policies and procedures to control the asbestos and to prevent...

ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION,

MANAGEMENT & REMOVAL

Everyone’s Responsibility!SafeWork SA

Mineral Fibres Unit

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What is Asbestos?What is Asbestos?

Mineral found naturally in some rock formations

Asbestos fibres have:

High tensile strength

Good flexibility

Strong resistance to heat and chemicals

Because of these properties it has many uses

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Types of AsbestosTypes of Asbestos

Chrysotile (White Asbestos)

used in asbestos cloth, asbestos cement products

Amosite (Brown Asbestos)used in heat insulation and pipe lagging

Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)used for very high temperature and acid resistant purposes

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Asbestos ProductsAsbestos Products

Non Friable Asbestos

• Asbestos fibres bonded by cement, vinyl, resin or other similar material

• Material containing no more than 1% asbestos by weight

Friable Asbestos

Non-bonded asbestos fabric or material

Material containing more than 1% asbestos by weight

In powder form or - can be pulverisedor reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry

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Non Friable Asbestos ProductsNon Friable Asbestos Products

AC Flat Sheet Products

AC Corrugated Roofing

AC pipes

Vinyl floor tiles

Compressed Sheet Products

Shingles

Switch board

Brake and Clutch Linings

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Friable Asbestos ProductsFriable Asbestos Products

Sprayed Fire Retardant

Thermal Lagging

Fire Blankets

Welding Blankets

Backing to sheet vinyl floor covering

Flexible Connections to air conditioning ductwork

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When is Asbestos a Risk?When is Asbestos a Risk?

WHEN FIBRES BECOME AIRBORNE

Non Friable products:When the cement or resin matrix breaks down or when it’s disturbed

Friable productsWhen the asbestos material is disturbed

AVOID ACTIVITIES THAT PRODUCE EXCESSIVE DUST!

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Asbestos and Your HealthAsbestos and Your Health

The potential for harm from asbestos depends on:

Fibre size and type

Length of exposure

Concentration of respirable fibres

Individual susceptibility

Influence of other factors

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OHS&W Act of 1986OHS&W Act of 1986

DUTIES OF EMPLOYERSSafety of employees, public• Provide safe working environment• Establish safe systems of work• Maintain plant & substances

South Australia

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY

AND WELFARE ACT 1986

DUTIES OF WORKERSSafety of self, other workers and public

• Use equipment provided (i.e. PPE)• Obey reasonable instructions• Curtail use of drugs and alcohol

DUTIES OF BUILDING OWNERS• Identify in situ asbestos • Maintain asbestos register• Inform employees, occupiers of register

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OHS&W Regulations 1995OHS&W Regulations 1995

DIVISION 4.2—ASBESTOS4.2.3 Exposure standards4.2.4 Licence to carry out asbestos removal work4.2.7 General duty4.2.8 Duties of employers4.2.9 Duties as to atmospheric monitoring4.2.10 Duties of building owners and other persons in possession of asbestos4.2.11 Personal safety4.2.12 Special provisions relating to chrysotile asbestos

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Asbestos Removal WorkAsbestos Removal Work

Work involving the removal of:

Material that consists of or contains asbestos, or other friable asbestos-containing material

An asbestos cement (fibro) product, or other non friable asbestos-containing material

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Asbestos RemovalAsbestos Removal

LicenceLicence RequirementsRequirements

No Licence RequiredLess than 10 m² Non Friable AsbestosLess than 0.5 m² Friable Asbestos

Still needs to be removed as required by legislationStill needs to be removed as required by legislation

Limited Licence10 m² and greater for Non Friable Asbestos

Unlimited LicenceAll types of asbestos materials

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Asbestos RemovalAsbestos Removal

CURRENT CODE OF PRACTICECURRENT CODE OF PRACTICE

Planning and Programming

Site Preparation

Equipment

Removal Techniques

General Hygiene Requirements

Protective Clothing and Equipment

Environmental Monitoring

Dismantling of Removal Area

Handling of Asbestos Cement Products

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Asbestos WorkAsbestos Work

ANY work where exposure to asbestos or any material that consists of or may

contain asbestos may occur

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Asbestos WorkAsbestos Work

CODE OF PRACTICECODE OF PRACTICEJoint Consultation on Decisions

Assessment

Monitoring

Management of Installed Asbestos

Exposure Control

Safe Work Practices

Protective Equipment

Cleanliness and Disposal

Change Rooms and Washing Facilities

Eating, Drinking and Smoking

Health Surveillance

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Some Do’s and Don’tsSome Do’s and Don’ts

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DoDo

Check for asbestos register

Confirm location of asbestos

Know OHS&W Regulations, 1995 Div. 4.2 -Asbestos

Use Approved Code of Practice

Use appropriately licensed contractors for removal

For greater than 10m² or .5m² ensure a written approval for removal is obtained fromSafework SA

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If you find material you suspect may contain asbestos

Do not disturb the material

Protect yourself and others from inhaling the material or dust by

Wearing protective equipmentRe-instating the areaIsolating the materialClose off area

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Advise the occupant-Do not create unnecessary concern

Notify your supervisor-Give details of location and suspected material

Supervisors Should-Ensure procedures are followed-Analyse samples-Keep a diary of the events

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Don’tDon’t

Take asbestos lightly

Expose yourself or others to asbestos fibres

Engage in any activity that creates dust- Sanding - Drilling

- Cutting - Grinding

Remove warning labels

Don’t ignore legislative requirements

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In Summary:In Summary:

When you’re working with asbestos–

• Have a safe work procedure in place before you start

• Use correct personal protective equipment

• Clean up as you go

• Place waste material in appropriate containerse.g. 200 micron plastic

• Dispose of in a correct manner.

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SafeWork SAMineral Fibres Unit

OHS&W REGULATIONSOHS&W REGULATIONSCONCERNINGCONCERNING

ASBESTOS andASBESTOS andBUILDING/PLANT OWNERSBUILDING/PLANT OWNERS

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LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTSLEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

• Take reasonable steps to identify any asbestos-containing material installed

• Any person in possession of plant that contains, or has on it, any materials that consists of or contains asbestos

• Arrange for removal if - Asbestos is in an unstable condition and/or - Poses a significant health risk

• Establish policies and procedures to control the asbestos and to prevent airborne fibre exposure

• Maintain an asbestos register

• Display appropriate labelling and warning signs

Private residences are excluded from register and signage requirements.

SECTION 4.2.10SECTION 4.2.10 –– Duties of building owners or Duties of building owners or persons in possession of asbestospersons in possession of asbestos

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ASSESSING ASBESTOSASSESSING ASBESTOS

If asbestos is assessed as being unstable or poses a significant health risk

• It must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable by a competent person

• Policies and procedures to control the asbestos and exposure to airborne fibres must be established

Competent Person: a person who is suitably qualified (whether by experience, training or both) to carry out the work or function described in the relevant regulation.

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CONTROLLING ASBESTOSCONTROLLING ASBESTOS

• Assessment of the condition of asbestos

• Steps to restrict access where asbestos is installed

• Steps to prevent disturbance of asbestos

• Use of signs and labels to warn of presence

• Regular inspections (at least annually) by a competent person

• Work practices in the vicinity of asbestos

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MUST ADDRESS

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ASBESTOS REGISTERASBESTOS REGISTER

DESCRIBES THE TYPE, LOCATION AND CONDITION OF ANY ASBESTOS

If the building owner is not the occupier, occupier must be supplied with:

• A copy of the register

• Any updates made to the register

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ASBESTOS REGISTERASBESTOS REGISTER

DESCRIBES THE TYPE, LOCATION AND CONDITION OF ANY ASBESTOS

Register must be made available for inspection by:

• A Workplace Services inspector

• A person authorised by the Director, DAIS

• A person who, in the course of work, may come into contact with the asbestos

• A health and safety representative or committee

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SUMMARYSUMMARY

Building owners and other persons in possession of asbestos MUST

• Take reasonable steps to identify any asbestos installed

• Arrange for removal if - Asbestos is in an unstable condition and/or

- Poses a significant health risk

• Maintain an asbestos register

• Display appropriate labelling and warning signs

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Penalties apply if this Penalties apply if this legislation is not followedlegislation is not followed

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And Finally:And Finally:

When in Doubt:

sk the people sk the people who know!who know!

MFU: 8303 0405

AA

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For More Information:

Visit the SWSA web site: www.safework.sa.gov.au

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