Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs) in Buildings Flashcards

Who has the duty to manage asbestos in a non-domestic premises under CAR 2012 Regulation 4?

Answer: The duty holder — the owner or person responsible for maintenance and repair of the premises

The duty to manage asbestos falls on the duty holder, defined as the person in control of the premises or responsible for its maintenance, such as the building owner or employer.

What must a contractor do if they discover a material they suspect may be asbestos while carrying out maintenance work?

Answer: Stop work immediately, leave the area undisturbed, and report to their supervisor or the duty holder

On discovering suspected ACMs, all work must stop immediately, the area must be left undisturbed, and the discovery must be reported to a supervisor or the duty holder so a competent assessment can be arranged.

What term describes an asbestos-containing material that can be crumbled or reduced to powder by light hand pressure?

Answer: Friable

Friable describes ACMs that can be easily crumbled by hand, such as sprayed coatings and some lagging, and they present the highest risk because fibres are released with minimal disturbance.

How do asbestos warning labels applied to ACMs help protect workers?

Answer: They alert maintenance workers and contractors to the presence of asbestos to prevent accidental disturbance

Asbestos labels placed on or adjacent to ACMs warn maintenance workers, contractors, and other personnel that the material contains asbestos, helping to prevent unintentional disturbance.

An asbestos management plan should be reviewed when?

Answer: Periodically at regular intervals and whenever circumstances change, such as after disturbance or a change in building use

The asbestos management plan must be reviewed and updated at regular intervals and whenever there is reason to believe it may no longer be valid, such as after a discovery, disturbance, or change in building layout or use.

For which type of asbestos work is it mandatory to use a licensed asbestos removal contractor?

Answer: Removing asbestos pipe lagging, sprayed coatings, and asbestos insulating board (AIB)

Licensed contractors must be used for notifiable licensable work, including the removal of high-risk ACMs such as thermal lagging, sprayed asbestos, and AIB, which pose the greatest risk of fibre release.

Which of the following best describes the role of an asbestos management plan?

Answer: A document that sets out how ACMs will be managed in place, monitored, and maintained to prevent exposure

An asbestos management plan describes how identified or presumed ACMs will be managed in situ, including monitoring schedules, responsible persons, and actions to be taken if condition changes.