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What the proposed asbestos changes mean

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What the proposed asbestos changes mean

ARCA article - Proposed revised Control of Asbestos Regulations

South Essex Homes sign up to the HSE’s asbestos training pledge and is delivering free asbestos awareness training

As you may know, the HSE and a number of asbestos training providers are working together to promote and provide free asbestos awareness training across the country. From September to November 2011 anyone can attend one of the free training sessions on offer at a place local to them.

South Essex Homes is just one of the organisations who have pledged to provide 20 free places at training sessions that they are holding on Thursday 10 November at Cheviot House in Southend-on-Sea.

Kerry Sinclair, Health and Safety Co-ordinator at South Essex Homes confirmed that the training was proving very popular and that there were only a few places left.

To book one of the remaining places, please contact South Essex Homes on 01702 236123.

Shared practice bulletin - Asbestos and carbon monoxide

A shared practice policy from Helm Housing

National Occupational Standards for asbestos surveying – you chance to have a say!

‘Construction Skills’ is working with the HSE to discuss the possible development of a set of National Occupational Standards for asbestos surveying. This would be the standard against which qualifications such as P402 would be set/developed in the future. The intention of setting such standards is to raise the quality of asbestos surveys. Ken Hill, Policy Advisor at the Health and Safety Executive has asked SAFETYnet for its members’ opinions as to whether they feel such standards would be a benefit to the sector. Attached is a document, for your information, which gives a clearer idea as to what National Occupational Standards are and, how they work. If you feel that you would like to contribute to the decision as to whether National Occupational Standards should be set up for asbestos surveying, then we would like you to respond to the following questions: 1 Do you feel that a nationally recognised and approved benchmark would help the occupations of asbestos survey, asbestos analysis and bulk analysis? 2 Do you feel that the availability of funding would assist in the training and development of asbestos surveyors and analysts? 3 Do you think there is the need for National Vocational Qualifications and Scottish Vocational Qualifications, qualifications with a competence outcome, for surveyors and analysts? Please send your answers to safetynet@hqnetwork.co.uk where they will be collated and forwarded to the HSE. The deadline for receipt of answers is Tuesday 27 September 2011.

Asbestos training pledge initiative

Notification of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) public consultation on proposals to introduce revised Control of Asbestos Regulations

EU legislation on asbestos

Asbestos case study from the HSE

The HSE have issued a series of case studies, which are real life stories of individuals. In this case study Roger Blackman’s widow talks about how he worked with asbestos throughout his career and how it ultimately cost him his life. She also talks about the impact on the family and how she is backing the HSE’s campaign.

We wanted to share this case study with you, perhaps you may wish to use it in a training session to raise awareness of this ‘hidden killer’ with your own tradespeople.

You can access the link by clicking above.

Guidance on asbestos training

SAFETYnet briefing by Peter Robinson

Council fined for asbestos failings

Nottingham City Council has been fined £30,000 for failing to manage the risk of asbestos after around 150 people were exposed to the potentially lethal material at one of its depots.

When the city council purchased the depot in February 2005, an asbestos survey was carried out and the majority of the asbestos removed. However, due to the design of the building there was no guarantee that all the asbestos had been removed, particularly from joints in the roof. The council took the decision to contain any remaining asbestos in the building by painting the affected areas.

The HSE's investigation found that for more than four years during which the asbestos deteriorated, the council did nothing to prevent the exposure to asbestos of those working in, or visiting the building.

HSE principal inspector Frank Lomas said:

"The council failed to identify that its own asbestos policy had not been implemented at the depot. It's all well and good having policies in place but they are meaningless unless they are put into practice and in this case, around 150 people were needlessly exposed to a potentially fatal substance."

You can read the full story on the HSE website here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2011/coi-em-15511.htm?ebul=hsegen&cr=11/07-feb-11

Asbestos surveyor competency

Briefing by Max Lopacki

Asbestos Management Self-Assessment

Asbestos in the home: a guidance booklet for tenants

A shared practice bulletin from the asbestos team at Waverley Borough Council

Asbestos information leaflet

Shared practice bulletin - Solihull Community Housing

Safe as Houses? Press release

New report reveals true asbestos risks in homes

UCATT - Safe as Houses? Dealing with asbestos in social housing

A report for UCATT

Protect yourself against the hidden killer - work safety if asbestos is present

Briefing from the Heath and Safety Executive

Asbestos management - cloned survey reports

Shared practice case study by Richard Bowden

A view from the floor | UKATA level 3 asbestos awareness training

Vicki Cutler reports on the in-house asbestos awareness training course from SAFETYnet