CSCS Asbestos Awareness 2

Question 1

What is the current UK workplace exposure limit (WEL) for asbestos as stated in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012?

Accepted Answer

0.1 fibres per cubic centimetre of air, averaged over a continuous 4-hour period

Answer

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 set the workplace exposure limit for all types of asbestos at 0.1 fibres per cubic centimetre of air (0.1 f/cm3), averaged over a continuous 4-hour period. This is a single control limit that applies to all three asbestos fibre types. However, there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos — the WEL represents the maximum permitted, not a safe level.

Question 2

What is the difference between licensed, notifiable non-licensed, and non-licensed asbestos work under UK regulations?

Accepted Answer

Licensed work involves high-risk activities (sprayed coatings, lagging, high-risk removal) requiring an HSE licence; notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) is lower risk but must be notified to the enforcing authority; non-licensed work involves very low-risk tasks with minimal fibre release

Answer

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 define three categories: licensed work (highest risk — removal of asbestos insulation, lagging, sprayed coatings, and any work where exposure cannot be reduced below the WEL) requires an HSE licence; NNLW (moderate risk — short-duration work on certain ACMs) must be notified; non-licensed work (lowest risk — minor work with intact, non-friable materials) has minimal requirements but still needs controls.

Question 3

In which common building materials might asbestos be found on a pre-2000 UK construction site?

Accepted Answer

Ceiling tiles, floor tiles, insulation board, pipe lagging, textured coatings (Artex), cement roofing sheets, fire blankets, gaskets, and brake linings

Answer

Asbestos was used in over 3,000 building products in the UK before the full ban in 1999. Common locations include: cement roofing/wall sheets, ceiling tiles, vinyl floor tiles, insulation boards (AIB), pipe and boiler lagging, textured decorative coatings (e.g., Artex), fire blankets, gaskets, and fuse box linings. Any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos.

Question 4

What diseases can be caused by exposure to asbestos fibres?

Accepted Answer

Mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs), and diffuse pleural thickening

Answer

Asbestos exposure can cause four main diseases: mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura or peritoneum, always fatal), asbestos-related lung cancer (greatly increased risk, especially in smokers), asbestosis (progressive fibrosis/scarring of the lungs), and diffuse pleural thickening (thickening of the lung lining causing breathlessness). Over 5,000 people die each year in the UK from asbestos-related diseases.

Question 5

What records must an employer keep regarding employees who work with asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012?

Accepted Answer

A health record for each employee exposed to asbestos, including the type of work, duration, and level of exposure, which must be kept for at least 40 years

Answer

Regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires employers to maintain a health record for every employee who is exposed to asbestos. This must include details of the work carried out, duration of exposure, and exposure levels. These records must be kept for at least 40 years from the last entry, reflecting the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases.

CSCS Green Card Practice Test

CSCS Green Card Practice Test

CSCS Asbestos Awareness 2