Asbestos Occupational safety and health requirements

Transcription

1 Asbestos Occupational safety and health requirements Tony Poulton & Sally North 1

2 Outline Asbestos health risks; OSH legislation about asbestos; and Common issues and WorkSafe approach 2

3 Asbestos terminology Crocidolite Chrysotile Amosite Friable Non-friable Bonded 3

4 Asbestos cement products 10-15% asbestos, 85-90% cement Roofs, gutters, walls, ceilings, under eaves, fences Pipes Alternatives (ACM-free) used after 1987 eg fences, under eaves No similar looking roofing is ACM free 4

5 5

6 Roofing Switchboard 6

7 Health risks Associated with inhalation of airborne fibres Asbestosis (progressive scarring of lungs) latency years Lung cancer latency years Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium lining of organs) - latency years 7

8 Health risks 8

9 Health risks Worldwide deaths: > 100,000 p.a. (WHO 2009) 600 mesothelioma deaths p.a. in Australia Respirable (hazardous) fibres invisible to human eye µm long & 0.01 µm thin - human hair is µm diameter (~1700 times thicker) Just one fibre common concern about risks How many asbestos fibres are in your lungs? 9

10 EnHealth

11 Common issues Site boundaries Risk assessment nature of job and practicality determine location and type (eg tape/fence/signs) Documentation for non friable asbestos removal Safe Work Method Statement, Demolition Work Plan Removal methods Use wet methods where practical/safe PVA is recommended for asbestos roof removal Minimise breakage as far as practical eg remove fixings 11

12 Common issues Role of asbestos removalists in preventing soil contamination: Practical measures should be taken depending on the type of work The work area must be visually clean at the end of the job A site inspection by the removalist together with the client at the end of the job is recommended If fragments are found after an asbestos removal job, they should be emu picked and the area raked, however if activities may have spread/buried fragments, further investigation may be required (see DOH Guide) 12

13 Common issues National Codes Safe Work Australia asbestos codes (2011) do not apply in WA Information to neighbours It is good practice to inform neighbours of upcoming work but not mandated in regulations Identifying asbestos Standard training for asbestos removalists does not cover identification. Asbestos may be presumed, or a sample tested, or consult an experienced occupational hygienist. 13

14 Common issues Reporting hazards to WorkSafe Local government officers (and the public) may report asbestos hazards to WorkSafe. WorkSafe considers and prioritises all such information. Enforcing the OSH legislation Local government officers cannot be delegated to administer OSH asbestos legislation, due to provisions in the OSH Act. Only WorkSafe inspectors can enforce the OSH legislation. 14

15 Common issues WorkSafe actions if breaches in asbestos handling are identified Action will depend on the type of breach but may include verbal direction, improvement or prohibition notice or prosecution. Departmental policies apply. Role of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency This agency is a national strategic body and is not a regulator. 15

16 Other agencies Google asbestos who to call Cancer council website awareness training with video 16

17 Role of WorkSafe Jurisdiction workplace Investigate accidents/incidents and complaints Licence asbestos removal contractors Audit Licence holders 17

18 Nature of asbestos related complaints Dividing fence has been broken by contractors next door We were not told about the asbestos removal work next door (or down the road, around the corner etc) Building was demolished and asbestos pieces now left on site Asbestos sheets wrapped in plastic and left on site Sheets are not being wet down Contractors not licenced Workers not wearing PPE Workers are wearing PPE and we are next door with no PPE We spoke to the local council and they said we should call WorkSafe 18

19 Asbestos OSH regulations Regulations define - Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) Asbestos Dust, Asbestos Work & Asbestos Work Area Friable ACM & Non-Friable ACM Restricted & Unrestricted Licence Regulations refer to Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2 nd Edition [NOHSC:2002(2005)] Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018(2005)] 19

20 Asbestos Identification & Assessment Duty to identify and assess asbestos hazards at workplaces in accordance with CoP for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC: 2018 (2005)] Presence Location Type If in doubt - test sample at NATA certified lab May presume material is asbestos 20

21 Asbestos Risk Assessment Current condition Likelihood of damage / disturbance Control measures in place Use a competent person Consultation with employees 21

22 Register / Communication Systems Accessible Contains information: - Dates of identification - Locations - Friable/non friable - Condition - Risk assessment dates & results - Analysis results if any - Inaccessible areas - Recommended controls - Details of any work affecting the ACM 22

23 Register / Communication Systems CoP indicates awareness training should be provided to people with a role in asbestos management or who may be working with ACM Large workplaces especially need strong communication systems to prevent ACM being disturbed unsafely during works 23

24 Asbestos Removal Legal Requirements Friable asbestos work - must be done by holder of Unrestricted Licence or a person employed/ otherwise engaged by such a person, and in accordance with the CoP for the Safe Removal of Asbestos [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)] Non-friable asbestos work - where greater than 10m 2 removal must be done by the holder of either a Restricted Licence or an Unrestricted Licence or a person employed/ otherwise engaged by a holder of either licence and in accordance with Part 9 of the CoP for the Safe Removal of Asbestos Edition 2 nd [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)] Non-friable ACM removal under 10m 2 must be done in accordance with Part 9 of the CoP for the Safe Removal of Asbestos Edition 2 nd [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)]

25 Code of Practice for Safe Removal of Asbestos NOHSC: 2002 (2005): Duties of client and removalist Planning Boundaries, security, signage Methods of removal, tools, and equipment Removal of specific asbestos products PPE Air monitoring Decontamination Waste and disposal Negative pressure ventilation enclosures Clearance before reoccupation 25

26 Clearances and air monitoring Not mandatory for non-friable removal but in some cases advisable Required for friable removal Advisable to do joint walk-through (client & removalist) after the job 26

27 Asbestos Licence and Codes to be available Holder of either ACM removal licence must ensure a copy of; their licence, and the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)], and the Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018(2005)] is available for inspection at the workplace involving asbestos removal work

28 Asbestos Dust As far as is practicable, no person in the asbestos work area should be exposed to asbestos dust; Provide appropriate PPE; On completion of asbestos work the workplace must be left in a clean and safe condition by washing/ vacuuming and any ACM is not left in such a state that asbestos dust may be dispersed into the atmosphere

29 ACM Waste Material Asbestos waste material must be disposed of in accordance with Part 11 of the Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018(2005)] CoP - Heavy duty waste bags or sheeting OR sealed drums/bins lined with plastic - Labels - List of Perth facilities that accept ACM is on DER website - List of national disposal facilities at

30 National exposure register and national plan If a person believes they have been exposed to asbestos they can enter their details on a national exposure register Administered by the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is developing a national strategic plan 30

31 Enforcement Improvement notices with relevant breaches Prohibition notices generally for extreme circumstances only, must be imminent and serious risk of injury/harm Audit function via WorkSafe auditors (licence holders) Prosecution require suitable samples as part of evidence 31

32 Questions? 32