Document pmEVOjJx3Q3bx2Z2Qk9MQk9za

FILE NAME: Asbestos Cement Pipe and Sheet (ACPS) DATE: 1997 Oct DOC#: ACPS039 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Conference Presentation Notes - Asbestos Cement Presentation Notes "Control of Asbestos Cement and Asbestos Insulation Board" by Frank Lomas HM Inspector of Health and Safety for the Conference "Asbestos: Justice and Prevention" Nottingham 23 October 1997 Asbestos Cement AO What is it? Grey, hard and brittle material Generally contains 10 - 15% asbestos fibre New AC contains only chrysotile (white) Older AC may contain more hazardous crocidolite (blue) or amosite (brown) Where might it be found? Very common building material which is reflected in its many uses Corrugated Sheets (roofing and cladding) Roof accessories e.g. ridge caps, fillers etc. Flat sheeting for partitioning, cladding and door facings Rainwater gutter's, pipes and trough's Roof tiles and slates Flue pipes, decking tiles, cisterns and sumps How can I identify AC? Old plans records relating to building In unsealed/unpainted state assume all grey cement coloured material AC unless known otherwise Sealed/painted material can only be identified by analysis What legislation applies to work with AC? Primary legislation - Control of Asbestos at work Regs. 1987 ACOP - The Control of Asbestos at Work Key regulations: Regulation 4 - Identification of asbestos Regulation 5 and 5A - Assessment of exposure and Plans of work Regulation 8 - Prevention/reduction of exposure to asbestos Regulation 12 - Prevent/reduce spread of asbestos How can exposure beprevented/reduced during work with AC? Do: Keep material wet Use hand tools Wear a disposable overall/overshoes Wear a disposable orinasal mask that protects against asbestos dust Keep the work area clean and tidy Typical dust levels generated during work with AC Activity Typical Exposure (f/ml) Machine sawing without exhaust ventilation - abrasive cutting disc - Circular saw - Jig saw 15-25 10-20 2-10 Hand sawing Machine drilling Removal of AC sheeting Stacking of Ac sheeting Remote demolition of AC structures - dry* Remote demolition of AC structures - wet* below 1 below 1 below 0.5 below 0.5 below 0.1 below 0.01 Cleaning AC Roofing Vertical Cladding Dry brushing (wire) Wet brushing (wire) Water jetting Controlled water jetting 'y J 1 -3 0-0.5 less than 0.01 5-8 1 -2 1 -2 less than 0.01 *Caution: subsequent clearance after remote demolition may give rise to concentrations greater than 1 Note: (1) Bad handling practises may result in much higher dust concentrations. Major work -defined as work involving:- (a) the duration of the job is greater than 1 hour or the area of material involved is greater than 2 m2of AIB, and in either of these cases the work includes: (1) braking, cutting, machining, surface abrasion; or (2) any work on a suspended ceiling; or (b) an action level or control limit as laid down in the control of asbestos at work regulations is likely to be exceeded during the job. Key regulations: As for AC but in addition Regulation 7 - Information Instruction and Training Regulation 9 - Use of Control Measures Regulation 10 - Maintenance of Control Measures Regulation 13 - Cleanliness of Premises and Plant Regulation 14 - Designated Areas How can exposure be prevented/reduced during work with A I B ? (1) Minor Work In addition to the good practices for working with A C: For all jobs which disturb A IB wear a suitable respirator matched to the job. (Note: the disposable filtering facepiece respirator is unlikely to give sufficient protection and that manufacturer's quoted protection factors may not be achieved in practise ). The workforce will need to be trained in the use of the RPE. Mark the working area with warning signs Remove movable equipment and fittings from area If dust foreseen create an enclosure of work area, cover other equipment in area with plastic sheeting Spray front of A I B with dust suppressant if surface not painted/sealed. Remove fixings carefully, remove panel to create a small hole. Spray back of A I B with dust suppressant ( use reverse angle spray head). Allow adequate soak time. Beware abrasion on panel edges Typical fibre levels for work with A I B and Tiles (normally amosite and crocidolite) Activity Typical Exposure (f/ml) Removal of insulating board and tiles: Careful removal of whole boards Breaking and ripping out Unscrewing and careful removal using exhaust ventilation Removal of a single tile with shadow vacuuming Unscrewing and removal of ceiling tiles, controlled wetting with good access Unscrewing and removal of ceiling tiles, controlled wetting with limited access* up to 5 5-20 below 2 0.05 below 0.05 below 0.05 Sanding or surforming 6-20 Machine cutting without exhaust ventilation Circular saw Jig saw greater than 20 5-20 Jig saw with exhaust ventilation 1-5 Drilling Overhead 5-10 Vertical Columns 2-5 Hand sawing 5-10 Scribing and Breaking 1-5 Rough handling of insulation and removal of pieces greater than 15 *(Caution: disturbing original dusts during controlled wetting may give rise to fibre concentrations greater than 1) Note: Bad handling practises may result in much higher concentrations