UKATA Safe Working Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a decontamination unit during licensed asbestos removal?
- To provide a tea break area
- To allow workers to safely remove contaminated PPE and shower before leaving the work area (Correct answer)
- To store tools and equipment
- To analyse asbestos samples
Correct answer: To allow workers to safely remove contaminated PPE and shower before leaving the work area
A decontamination unit provides a controlled system for workers to remove contaminated PPE, shower, and dress in clean clothes before leaving the work area. This prevents asbestos fibres from being carried out of the controlled area.
Question 2: Why is asbestos awareness training required even for workers who do not directly work with asbestos?
- It is not required — only specialists need training
- So they can recognise and avoid accidentally disturbing asbestos materials (Correct answer)
- To qualify them to remove asbestos
- For insurance purposes only
Correct answer: So they can recognise and avoid accidentally disturbing asbestos materials
Awareness training is essential so that workers can recognise materials likely to contain asbestos and avoid accidentally disturbing them. Many tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians, and joiners may encounter asbestos during routine work.
Question 3: What type of vacuum cleaner is approved for use on asbestos contamination?
- Any industrial vacuum
- A Type H vacuum with HEPA filtration (Correct answer)
- A standard household vacuum with bag
- A wet and dry shop vacuum
Correct answer: A Type H vacuum with HEPA filtration
Only Type H vacuums with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration are approved for asbestos work. These filters can capture particles as small as 0.3 micrometres, which includes asbestos fibres.
Question 4: When using power tools on materials that may contain asbestos, what is the main concern?
- The noise levels
- Power tools generate dust and dramatically increase fibre release (Correct answer)
- The risk of electric shock
- The tools may be damaged
Correct answer: Power tools generate dust and dramatically increase fibre release
Power tools such as drills, grinders, and saws generate significant amounts of dust when used on ACMs, dramatically increasing the release of asbestos fibres into the air. This is why power tools should never be used on known or suspected ACMs without proper controls.
Question 5: What is an enclosure in the context of licensed asbestos removal?
- A locked storage room for asbestos samples
- A sealed, negative-pressure containment area around the work site (Correct answer)
- A fence around the building perimeter
- A filing cabinet for asbestos records
Correct answer: A sealed, negative-pressure containment area around the work site
An enclosure is a sealed containment area built around the asbestos work site, maintained under negative pressure using air extraction units with HEPA filters. This prevents fibres from escaping into the wider building environment.
Question 6: How should asbestos cement sheets be removed to minimise fibre release?
- By smashing them with a hammer
- By carefully unbolting and lowering them whole, keeping them wet (Correct answer)
- By using a pressure washer to blast them off
- By drilling holes to weaken them first
Correct answer: By carefully unbolting and lowering them whole, keeping them wet
Asbestos cement sheets should be removed carefully by unbolting fixings and lowering whole sheets, while keeping them damp to suppress fibre release. Breaking, drilling, or pressure washing would generate dangerous levels of airborne fibres.
UKATA Safe Working Practices 2
What is the purpose of a decontamination unit during licensed asbestos removal?