Asbestos Awareness Flashcards

What is a Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW) category under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012?

Answer: A category of asbestos work that is lower risk than licensed work but still requires notification to the relevant enforcing authority, medical examination of workers, and record keeping

NNLW is an intermediate category for work that is not licensable but still carries sufficient risk to require notification to the enforcing authority, medical examinations for workers, and maintenance of health records. Examples include short-duration work on asbestos insulation board (AIB) such as drilling holes or removing a single panel. It was introduced in the 2012 update to the regulations.

What emergency procedures must be in place at a workplace where asbestos may be present?

Answer: Specific asbestos emergency procedures including how to deal with accidental disturbance, fibre release, decontamination of affected areas, notification requirements, and health surveillance for anyone exposed

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, workplaces with known or suspected asbestos must have specific emergency procedures covering: stopping work and evacuating the area if ACMs are accidentally disturbed; preventing access to contaminated areas; emergency decontamination; notification to the dutyholder and enforcing authority; and arrangements for health surveillance of any persons inadvertently exposed.

What role does the asbestos register play in construction site management under CDM Regulations 2015?

Answer: The principal contractor must obtain and review the asbestos register before work begins, and ensure all workers and contractors are informed of the location and condition of any ACMs that may be disturbed by the works

Under CDM Regulations 2015, the client must provide pre-construction information including the asbestos register to the principal designer and principal contractor. The principal contractor must review this information, include it in the construction phase plan, and ensure all workers and subcontractors are informed of ACM locations before work begins. Failure to communicate this information has caused numerous asbestos exposures on construction sites.

What type of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) must be used during licensed asbestos removal work?

Answer: Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) or full-face air-fed breathing apparatus, face-fit tested to the individual wearer, with an assigned protection factor appropriate to the expected exposure level

Licensed asbestos removal requires RPE with a high assigned protection factor (APF) — typically a full-face powered air-purifying respirator (APF 40) or air-fed full-face mask (APF 40). The RPE must be individually face-fit tested for each wearer. Simple disposable FFP3 masks (APF 20) are generally not sufficient for licensed removal work. The type of RPE is specified in the plan of work.

What is the three-stage decontamination unit used during licensed asbestos removal?

Answer: A purpose-built unit attached to the asbestos enclosure with three compartments: a dirty end (for removing contaminated PPE), a shower (for personal decontamination), and a clean end (for putting on clean clothing)

The three-stage decontamination unit (DCU) is a critical part of the enclosure system during licensed asbestos removal. Workers leaving the enclosure pass through the dirty end (where contaminated PPE is removed and bagged), then the shower compartment (where they are thoroughly washed to remove any remaining fibres), and finally the clean end (where they dress in clean clothes). This prevents fibre spread outside the work area.

Under what circumstances can asbestos-containing materials be safely left in place rather than removed?

Answer: When the ACM is in good condition, unlikely to be disturbed, and can be effectively managed through labelling, regular monitoring, and an asbestos management plan as required by Regulation 4

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 recognise that ACMs in good condition that are unlikely to be disturbed may be safer left in place and managed, rather than removed (which itself creates a risk of fibre release). The duty to manage requires that ACMs left in place are labelled, their condition regularly monitored, and information provided to anyone who might disturb them. Removal is only required when the material is damaged, deteriorating, or will be disturbed by planned work.