Health and Safety
At H&S Asbestos we recognise the need to comply with all Health and Safety legislation and strive to attain the highest standards.
Across all divisions our experienced and professional Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) team is dedicated to providing competent advice and to auditing our sites on a regular basis, to ensure high standards are maintained and to identify anyopportunities for learning and improvement.
We employ experienced trainers who are very respected in the industry, to provide courses to guarantee safe practices and personal development of our employees. This ensures our workforce have the correct training and knowledge to identify, control and manage any foreseeable risks that may arise during our works.
PPE/RPE
All H&S Asbestos employees are required to wear the following PPE and RPE for their own safety as well as the safety of others.
Non-enclosure works:
- Hard hat
- Eye protection
- Hi-Viz vest
- Task specific gloves
- Steel toe and midsole boots
- Ear defenders
Enclosure works:
- Full faced positive pressure respirator fitted with P3 rated filters
- Oral nasal half mask fitted with P3 filters
- Disposable socks
- Disposable boxer shorts
- Disposable overalls with elasticated hood and cuffs
- Non-laced steel toecap and midsole boots
- Disposable gloves
Documentation
A detailed and thorough programme of removal works is drawn up between all relevant parties with consideration given to any foreseeable issues, such as, site access, time restrictions, working hours, and vehicle movement times. The asbestos containing materials specified for removal are individually risk assessed and an item-specific plan of work drawn up for each item as required, with all relevant notifications and documents submitted to the HSE and interested parties.
Enclosures
H&S Asbestos removal teams use the existing matrix of a building, additional timber supports where required, 1000-gauge polythene, adhesive cloth tape, spray adhesive and expanding foam to form fully sealed asbestos working enclosure, where required, on our projects.
The enclosures are placed under sufficient negative pressure with all access/egress via 3-stage transitional air and bag locks.
Large viewing panels and/or CCTV is installed to ensure all areas of the asbestos removal works are visible and able to be inspected and managed accordingly.
Smoke Tests
Each enclosure is subject to a thorough smoke test to ensure sealed and robust containment is in place prior to works commencing. The client’s representative and/or nominated independent analyst is invited to oversee this procedure and asked to sign to say they have witnessed a successful test once achieved.
Air Changes
This is a legal requirement as per the Control of Asbestos Regulation 2012 -Regulation 16.
Enclosures must be subject to negative pressure with a minimum airflow of 1,000m3/hour through small enclosures (<120m3), and at least 8 ‘air changes’ per hour in large enclosures.
This is provided by using HEPA filter air movers which are stringently checked on a regular basis to ensure they area 99% efficient.
Good airflow and movement across the work areas is paramount in providing a good mix of air in order to filter out the airborne asbestos fibres.
These units also ensure the enclosures are subject to negative pressure to –5 Pascals. Simply put, this means only clean air can enter the enclosure and contaminated air CANNOT leave the enclosure. Where enclosures are perfectly sealed, the volume of air pulled out must be equal to the volume of air allowed in. In other words, where an enclosure has a series of NPUs intended to move 10,000m3/hour of air, it must be designed to allow 10,000m3/hour in.
On large enclosures this may mean dedicated chambers are used to allow clean air into the enclosures. This means the same amount of clean air can enter the areas as is being filtered out and is good air management.
Analytical
On completion of the removal work to each enclosure, the nominated independent analyst carries out a 4-stage clearance procedure, involving visual inspections, dust disturbance tests and air sampling as required.
Often, the analytical company is asked to carry out reassurance, background and personal air monitoring throughout the project to ensure works are carried out correctly and there is no risk of the spread of asbestos. Copies of these results and associated certificates are made available on request alongside the 4-stage clearance paperwork from each enclosure.
Requirements on all our projects
For all Asbestos Removal projects, the following on-site paperwork is required.
- License to remove asbestos
- Insurance documentation
- ACAD certificate of membership
- All Medical, training and competency certification for site personnel
- A relevant Notification be that an ASB5 for licensed removals or ASBNNLW1 for non-notifiable licenced works, when required
- Site specific Risk Assessments and Method Statement (RAMS) will be available to all H & S Asbestos staff
- Method Statement briefing sign of sheets
- Toolbox Talk sheets
- HAVS recording sheets
- Manual handling Sheets
- Daily Diaries