ACAD have negotiated with Greg Haywood from the Asbestos Licensing Unit for the HSE not to implement the proposed Cost Recovery for Asbestos License Holders. This was due to come into force in April 2012. Greg Haywood indicated that the situation would be looked at again in 2013 and a decision would be made moving forward closer to the time.
Posts Tagged ‘Asbestos’
Fee For Intervention, HSE cost recovery
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012Japanese officials set up an asbestos education program
Monday, July 18th, 2011
Japanese officials say they are setting up an
asbestos education program to protect workers clearing debris from the March 11
earthquake and tsunami.
Asbestos, once widely used as a construction
material, can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer. It can take up to 30 years
for the diseases to develop.
“We hope they will work with the danger
of asbestos in mind,” an official with the health ministry said.
The educational program will tap a variety of
scholars and leaders of non-profit organizations knowledgeable about asbestos,
the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Thursday.
Asbestos control instructors will be assigned
to local labor inspection offices to oversee and consult with workers and
volunteers removing debris from areas damaged by the twin disasters.
Japan’s health ministry has distributed
90,000 dust prevention masks although many workers do not wear them because
they restrict breathing. It will soon distribute 600 high-efficiency filter
masks with electric fans to make breathing easier.
“Safety and health education must be
improved at actual working sites,” a senior health ministry official said.
Japan’s hidden asbestos problem
Thursday, March 17th, 2011Spare a thought for the unfortunate people in Japan who are going through unimaginable pain and loss at the moment, following the devastating earthquake and following tsunami. All that suffering is before the Nuclear Power stations leak large amounts of radiation on them.
This disaster masks a hidden asbestos problem
Japan did not ban Crocidolite and Amosite until 1995 and chrysotile in 2004. The devastating earthquake will have exposed millions of Japanese to clouds of deadly asbestos fibres.
Japan is starting to see evidence of asbestos related diseases amongst workers, companies are now producing lists of those that have died or are receiving treatment due to asbestos related diseases.
Internal politics continue to stand in the way of meaningful progress in tackling the devastating asbestos problem in Japan.
Terry Slater
ACAD Manager
HSE inspectors are having a purge on decontamination units
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
The HSE are checking the following:
1. That the decontamination unit has no stored items within
2. That the unit is dry
3. Have effective and clean seals between wall panels, wall / floor joints, and wall / ceiling joints
4. That the vents between areas are clean
5. That the doors and surrounds are clean.
6. That the NPU casing and transit cover are clean and fit for purpose, and the area beneath and around the NPU is also Clean.
7. That the sinks, showers, and associated drains are clean and free from debris.
The analyst will not issue “pass” certificates for hygiene facilities that are not “fit for purpose”. This includes:
1. Flooring that has worn to the point where it is not possible to thoroughly clean ingrained dirt
2. Any seals that are worn, or harbour ingrained filth
3. Cracked surfaces, including sink
The HSE are looking to issue prohibition notices on the hygiene facilities, and improvement notices (with evidence of retraining) on the analyst(s) involved.
For more information contact ACAD, or check the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos
TV Cabinet Reveals Deadly Fibre
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010Although much is made of the ‘duty to manage’ within the 2006 Control of Asbestos Regulations, and the importance of checking the building register for hidden materials, it is easy to forget that so much work is undertaken on the renovation of domestic properties, not currently covered by Duty to Manage, as it stands.
Consider the following images, apparently a TV cabinet, of hardwood construction, to be replaced during routing renovation of the room. On closer inspection, a board is apparent to the underside of the top of the cabinet. Result? The presence of chrysotile and amosite (white and brown) fibres in the form of an insulating board, evidently protecting the timber cabinet from an overheating TV. Although the material was correctly dealt with on this occasion, it is frightening to think how many times asbestos products may have been unknowingly ripped out as part of refurbishment in homes and houses.
This example is unusual, but panelling in and around fireplaces and backing to the surrounds, is commonplace.
For more information contact ACAD, or check the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos
HSE Surveyors Guide, HSG 264 (2010)
Friday, January 29th, 2010Please place your comments below regarding the new Surveyors Guide which can be accessed and purchased for £10.95 from the HSE website.