Safety Training
Aims:
To provide candidates with practical knowledge and skills to manage asbestos in buildings and to provide a basic knowledge of asbestos removal procedures
Course Content:
Prior Knowledge
Candidates for this course are expected to be aware of the health risks associated with asbestos and the general methods for exposure control, especially as they relate to buildings where asbestos has been used in the construction.
Content
The syllabus is structured into five sections:
Time Allocation
1 Asbestos Properties and Regulatory Requirements
2 Management of Asbestos in Buildings
3 Asbestos Remediation
4 Role of Laboratory/Analysts
5 Practical Work
Note: Reference is made in this syllabus to guidance and other documentation. These may not be the most up-to-date relevant publications from all sources and are intended as guidance for candidates only. Where equivalent local documentation exists this can be used.
1 Asbestos Properties and Regulatory Requirements (20%)
Educational Objectives
Candidates should gain a clear understanding of the legislation relating to asbestos and those aspects of other health and safety regulations relevant to the management of asbestos in buildings.
1.1 General Health and Safety Practice
1.1.1 Discuss the basic concepts of national legislation with particular reference to employers’ and building occupiers’ responsibilities for asbestos.
1.2 Asbestos Regulations and Their Application
Review all national Regulations on asbestos:
1.2.1 Control of asbestos risks in the workplace and the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic and domestic premises.
1.2.2 Workplace health and safety general requirements.
1.2.3 Requirements for the safe disposal of hazardous waste containing asbestos.
1.2.4 Requirements specific to the construction industry. (10)
1.3 Management of Projects with Asbestos
1.3.1 Discuss good practice guidance for the control of projects, with particular reference to surveyors, contractors and analysts.
1.3.2 Consider the management of asbestos removal projects, with particular attention being paid to any national legal duties. Where these do not exist, use international best practice guidelines. (1)(11)(12)
1.4 Health Effects of Asbestos
1.4.1 Describe the full range of health effects ranging from the benign (pleural plaques) to the terminal (mesothelioma) in the light of results from epidemiological studies carried out on asbestos workers.
2 Management of Asbestos in Buildings (30%)
Educational Objectives
Candidates should be able to identify the main types of asbestos materials in buildings, the appropriate means of recording their locations, and be fully aware of the procedures and methods for the prevention of future damage to asbestos-containing materials. Candidates should be able to develop an action plan on the basis of survey information and properly manage the asbestos that is remaining in the premises by suitable schemes.
2.1 Types and Uses of Asbestos in Buildings
2.1.1 Use relevant guidance documents as a primary source of information on products and their locations in buildings.
2.1.2 Explain the physical and chemical properties of asbestos which have determined the use to which it has been put by industry.
2.1.3 Discuss the three types of asbestos which have found significant commercial use (amosite, chrysotile and crocidolite) in relation to sprayed and thermal insulation, insulating boards, coatings, cement products and other reinforced products (e.g. vinyl tiles, roofing felts) commonly used in building construction.
2.1.4 Discuss the uses and composition of other asbestos products likely to be used or found inside buildings on plant, machinery or domestic appliances (e.g. textiles, friction materials, seals, gaskets etc.).
2.1.5 Describe the use and occurrence of the other types of asbestos particularly as possible contaminants in other minerals.
2.2 Recording and Labelling
2.2.1 Outline the need for systems of recording and labelling asbestos identified as being present in buildings and the procedures for preventing damage to asbestos-containing materials.
2.3 Reporting and Management Plan
2.3.1 Conversion of asbestos survey report data into a proper working asbestos register with action plan and programmed reviewing. Full understanding of the principles and practice of material and priority assessments.
2.4 Asbestos Register
2.4.1 Emphasise the need for the maintenance of asbestos registers and the use of all management actions to minimise exposure to asbestos in buildings, including permits to work to control the work of sub-contractors/maintenance operatives.
3 Asbestos Remediation (20%)
Educational Objectives
Candidates should be thoroughly familiar with current good practice for asbestos remediation, including encapsulation, sealing and removal operations and should be able to identify examples of poor working procedures in practical situations.
3.1 Preparation
3.1.1 Discuss the steps required in a job specification, preparation of a plan of work by the contractor, tender evaluation and the various roles required for management of the site.
3.1.2 Include health and safety aspects including emergency procedures. (1) (5)
3.2 Enclosures
Describe with practical examples the following:
3.2.1 Correct principles of design, erection, and operation of an enclosure for asbestos removal.
3.2.2 Methods of enclosure examination and the documentation associated with the enclosure.
3.2.3 Correct facilities and procedures for entry, exit and decontamination.
3.2.4 The use of negative pressure monitors.
3.2.5 Use of secondary enclosures.
3.3 Remediation Measures
Describe with practical examples the following:
3.3.1 Techniques for encapsulation of asbestos-containing materials.
3.3.2 Techniques for sealing asbestos-containing materials.
3.4 Removal Procedures
3.4.1 Describe the various control measures available to a remediation company to ensure that asbestos waste is fully contained, and dust levels are kept as low as is reasonably practicable inside the enclosure. (11)
3.5 Waste Removal
3.5.1 Describe the requirements for removal, storage and disposal of waste from an enclosure. (1) (11) (12)
4 Role of the Laboratory/Analyst (5%)
Educational Objectives
Candidates should be able to understand the role of the analyst, air monitoring techniques and the four-stage clearance procedure.
4.1 Role of Analyst
4.1.1 Describe the role of the analyst as a competent person/consultant. (14)
4.1.2 Understand the requirements for quality management systems in accordance with ISO 17025 (13) and accreditation by national bodies.
4.2 Air Monitoring and Other Techniques
4.2.1 Identify the various stages where air monitoring must be employed and discuss other inspection techniques such as the dust lamp, smoke tubes, negative pressure monitors which are also useful for checking of the effectiveness of the work and the control measures. (1) (11) (14)
4.2.2 Discuss the qualitative and quantitative limitations of microscopy methods for counting asbestos fibres. (14)
4.3 Four- Stage Clearance Procedure and Testing of Enclosures
4.3.1 Discuss all of the essential requirements of four- stage clearance procedure, clearance testing and reoccupation certification for an asbestos enclosure and the decontamination unit. (1) (14)
5 Practical Work (25%)
Educational Objectives
Candidates should be able to convert survey data into a building management action plan, carry out a thorough appraisal of contractor documentation and methods, and appreciate the pressures and demands on various parties during an asbestos removal project.
5.1 Pre-start and post remediation Inspections (20%)
5.1.1 Understand how to carry out inspections of an enclosure and hygiene unit both prior to works and post remediation.
5.1.2 This should include smoke testing, checks on paperwork and method statements.
5.2 Role Playing (10%)
5.2.1 Understand the roles played by the various parties such as the client, contractor’s contract manager and supervisor, national Inspector, analyst and trade union representative.
5.3 Method Statement (40%)
5.3.1 Be able to assess the components of method statements that have been submitted by a contractor for a project.
5.3.2 Be able to offer appropriate advice.
5.4 Survey and Action Plan (30%)
5.4.1 Be able to convert survey data into an action plan.
5.4.2 This must include detailed understanding of the principles and application of material and priority assessments.
Course Duration
4 daysNumber of Delegates
Certification
BOHS International Proficiency Certificate in Management of Asbestos in Buildings
