Revised asbestos guidance
Most work with asbestos-containing materials, including lagging, insulation and insulating board, must be done by an HSE-licensed contractor.
‘Asbestos Essentials’ covers work that does not need a licence, if carried out as the sheets contained within it describe. Each sheet describes ‘good practice’ for a particular task and covers the action needed to reduce exposure to an adequate level.
When asbestos materials are damaged or disturbed they can release dangerous fibres which, if inhaled, can cause serious diseases.
Trades likely to disturb asbestos include those working on the fabric of a building, for example:
• electricians, joiners, plumbers, gas fitters, shop fitters, heating and ventilation engineers;
• labourers, roofers, plasterers, demolition workers and other workers in construction;
• phone and data engineers, alarm installers; and
• surveyors, general maintenance engineers, painters and decorators.
It is noted that the manual will help small businesses, sub-contractors and the self-employed comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, and will also help dutyholders, clients, trade union and employee safety representatives understand how work should be done.
The premises owner (client or dutyholder) needs to inform workers where any asbestos-containing materials (or materials presumed to contain asbestos) likely to be met in the course of the work are.
HSE says the book provides the information needed to help workers recognise asbestos, and protect themselves.
Webinar: Wellbeing by numbers
Catch-up or listen again to this session:
- Learn how to use data to shape your workplace wellbeing strategy;
- Hear evidence of the impact that wellbeing has on productivity and bottom line;
- Get expert advice on the challenges of implementing a data-led wellbeing strategy and how to overcome them;
- Understand how the changing priorities and pressures of the pandemic have influenced wellbeing programmes;
- Walk away with a health & wellbeing toolkit that will help you implement and evaluate your wellbeing strategy.
Join Westfield Health CEO, Dave Capper, Professor Jeff Breckon from the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University and Sky Wellbeing Health & Fitness Manager Alistair Hugo, now...
Revised asbestos guidance
The HSE has revised its manual for workers in the construction, maintenance, refurbishment and related trades, who may come into contact with asbestos-containing materials in their work. The document aims to help workers in these trades when they are working with asbestos-containing materials.
Safety & Health Practitioner
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources
Related Topics
StocExpo returns triumphant
National Access and Scaffolding Confederation fund training for mental health first aiders
From Hyde Housing to Deepwater Horizon: Insights on tall building fire safety
