asbestos - toolbox talk - health and safety
TRANSCRIPT
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AsbestosTOOLBOX TALK
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Our Obligation to You
Builders, plumbers, carpenters, electricians and other trades people who carry out work that were built or refurbished prior to 2000 could be exposed to asbestos.
We have a legal duty to ensure that our employees and subcontract staff are not exposed to asbestos.
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The Scary Fact
Over 3,000 workers die each year from asbestos related diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
These diseases are caused by breathing in air which contains asbestos fibres.
These tiny fibres can pass into the lungs and can stay there for years.
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Takes many years to appear
Asbestos related diseases will generally appear many years after the first exposure,
which can vary from 15 – 60 years.
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The Symptoms
The symptoms of may include: -
• Shortness of breath
• A cough
• Blood coughed up from the lungs
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness
• Significant weight loss
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3 Main Types of Asbestos
• Blue (Crocidolite)
• Brown (Amosite)
• White (Chrysotile)
It is not reliable to base the type of asbestos on the colour alone.
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Where am I likely to findAsbestos Containing Materials?
Asbestos cement
roof sheeting
Ceiling asbestos insulating
board
Toilet cistern
Textured coatings
Old fuse box
Pipe insulation
Floor slabs
Sprayed ceiling
asbestos
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Where else?Other locations where asbestos can be found include: -
• Sealants on pipe joints, gaskets etc.
• Boarding around pillars, radiators etc.
• Electrical switchgear
• Water tanks
• Drain pipes
It is possible to release asbestos fibres by drilling, sanding, cutting etc.
Asbestos is often mixed with other materials, so it is hard to know if you are working with it or not.
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What precautions should I take?
• Attend an asbestos awareness training course if you are likely to come into contact with asbestos.
• Ask your supervisor if the building has been checked for asbestos before starting any work.
• The supervisor should check the site’s asbestos register
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What should I do?
If you suspect asbestos containing materials to be present or discover them during the course of your work:
1. STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY2. INFORM YOUR SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER
Note: Sampling and testing of the material by competent persons may be required to confirm the presence of asbestos before work continues.
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Two simple rules.
• Avoid disturbing asbestos containing materials unless you have received full training.
• Comply with site rules and methods of working and risk assessment for the specific tasks
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Leave it to licenced contractors
Only licenced contractors are permitted to work with high-risk products such as asbestos insulation board, sprayed coatings, lagging, insulation, etc. unless the work is short duration.
‘Short duration’ means:-• One non-licenced person can work on these materials for less than 1
hour, OR• More people for less than 2 hours in any 7 consecutive days
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Notify the HSE?
‘Licensed asbestos work’ and certain ‘non-licensed asbestos work’ must be notified to the Health and Safety Executive prior to work commencing.
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Emergency Procedures
Emergency procedures where asbestos is unintentionally released
• If you know or suspect that asbestos has been damaged or released, STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY
• Stop people entering the work area• Display warning signs Report the problem to your supervisor
immediately• (that asbestos is present)• Remove contaminated clothing and place in a plastic bag. Double bag
it.• Wash yourself
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Toolbox Talk Validation
1. What are the 3 main types of asbestos?2. Give 3 ways to minimise exposure to asbestos containing materials3. Name 3 locations where asbestos containing materials can be
found in buildings4. What should you do if you discover asbestos containing materials?5. Which workers are most likely to be exposed to asbestos
containing materials?6. Can you tell us something contains asbestos by looking at it?
Explain.
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About us
Ventro Group are a nationwide organisation providing local authorities, housing associations, NHS and healthcare organisations and hotel chains with consultancy and passive fire protection works to ensure compliance to the fire safety regulations in their properties.
How to contact us:
Tel 0845 38 10 999Email [email protected] www.ventrogroup.com