WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB
WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB
WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB
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SECTION 5.8<br />
8. I think that there is asbestos in my workplace.What should I do?<br />
Asbestos is an extremely hazardous substance.Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to<br />
asbestos related diseases including cancer.<br />
There are three main types of asbestos:<br />
• Crocidolite(blue asbestos).<br />
• Amosite(brown asbestos).<br />
• Chrysotile(white asbestos).<br />
For the untrained eye asbestos can be difficult to identify and doesn’t necessarily have a colour.It is<br />
most commonly found in buildings built or refurbished before 1985.Examples of materials containing<br />
asbestos include insulating boards,boiler lagging and ceiling tiles.<br />
Asbestos fibres are released when the materials containing asbestos are damaged through<br />
construction work e.g.drilling into insulating boards or when the material becomes worn or breaks.<br />
In 1999 the UK banned the use and import of white asbestos,brown and blue have been banned for<br />
some time.However,there is still a lot of asbestos present in workplaces and other buildings which<br />
could present a risk to building and maintenance workers as well as other workers.<br />
From 21st May 2004,Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 requires people<br />
in control of work premises(this could be the owner,the occupier and/or a managing agent)to:<br />
• Determine the location and condition of materials likely to contain asbestos.<br />
• Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not.<br />
• Make and keep an up to date record of the location and condition of materials containing asbestos<br />
or presumed asbestos in the building.<br />
• Assess the risk of anyone being exposed to asbestos fibres from these materials.<br />
• Prepare a plan on how these risks are to be managed.<br />
• Review and monitor the plan.<br />
• Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone likely to disturb<br />
them e.g.contractors or building maintenance workers.<br />
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 also require employers to prevent asbestos exposure<br />
to employees working with asbestos or if this is not possible control exposure to the lowest possible<br />
level e.g.through the use of protective equipment.Employers must carry out an assessment of the<br />
likely exposure(who and how much they may be exposed to)before starting any work with asbestos.<br />
The Asbestos(Licensing Amendment)Regulations 1998 requires work with certain types of asbestos<br />
materials e.g.asbestos insulating board to be licensed.Anyone carrying out such work must have a<br />
licence from the Health and Safety Executive and must comply with the terms of the licence.<br />
Employers and contractors who fail to comply with these regulations face heavy fines and even prison<br />
sentences.<br />
Workers who think that they are being exposed to asbestos at work should contact their <strong>GMB</strong><br />
Representative who has access to specialist advice.<br />
REMEMBER: there may be more than one person affected by this issue.<br />
Consider calling a meeting to advise,recruit and organise.