Asbestos

Asbestos is the largest single cause of work-related fatal disease and ill-health in Britain.  Almost all asbestos-related deaths and ill-health are from exposures which occurred several decades ago.  At present, all diseases caused by inhaling asbestos fibres are incurable.  All types of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can be dangerous if disturbed and therefore great care must be taken to avoid generating airborne fibres which could be breathed in.

Many of the University buildings date from periods when asbestos was widely used in construction and various asbestos containing materials can be found in the fabric of buildings across the campus.  Estates & Buildings has carried out surveys and have taken steps to ensure that these materials do not pose a risk to occupants during normal use of our buildings.  To ensure that any asbestos containing materials remain in a safe condition, work that involves disturbance to the fabric of the buildings MUST NOT be initiated by any management unit without prior consultation with Estates and Buildings.  Even an apparently simple action such as drilling a wall for shelving may potentially cause damage to asbestos containing materials within the structure and release airborne fibres which could result in that area being closed off until satisfactory air tests have been carried out.  

Work with asbestos is governed by The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and it is a legal requirement (and a University Policy) that only HSE approved Licensed Asbestos Contractors may work with ACMs on University premises.  (Note: This requirement applies to Management Units located on the premises of others e.g. NHS property).

ACMs may also be found in older laboratory equipment such as ovens, furnaces, autoclaves, heat resistant mats etc and equipment with soundproofing or thermal insulation which are under the ownership of the Management Unit.  If it is intended to maintain such old equipment, all reasonable checks should made to find out if it contains asbestos.  The equipment manufacturer or supplier or the service engineer should be contacted.  If it cannot be confirmed that the equipment is “asbestos free” or if any doubt exists, the equipment should be treated as containing asbestos and marked with an asbestos sticker.  A management survey should be carried out before any attempts are made at dismantling or disposal by either University staff or external lab equipment maintenance engineers.  Disturbance, repairing and disposal of ACMs may only be carried out by Licensed Asbestos Contractors.  ACMs must be disposed of to a site licensed to accept such waste.  ACMs must not be disposed of through the normal refuse stream.  Equipment which contains ACMs should not be bought or sold (or gifted).  Management Units should appoint a competent Responsible Person(s) to carry out a “management survey” to identify, record and manage ACMs in equipment and appliances etc.

The University policy can be viewed here: University Policy on Asbestos Management

Further guidance is contained in SEPS Guidance Note: “Asbestos”, which is available here: Asbestos guidance

Asbestos advice for contractors is contained in the University publication Asbestos Guidance for Contractors Working on University Premises

Useful information on asbestos is also available from the HSE Asbestos website which can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm