Asbestos Management Policy - Section 6
6. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors
6.1 Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors will be used for all work with:
- Asbestos insulation – thermal, acoustic and electrical;
- Asbestos coatings – e.g. sprayed limpet; and
- Asbestos insulation board – e.g. asbestolux, ceiling tiles.
6.2 Competence of Contractors
Contractors will be HSE approved contractors and will be required to provide a copy of their HSE licence. Moray Council Procurement Policy outlines selection criteria.
6.3 Assessment
Before work is undertaken, where asbestos is present in any form, the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations requires that an assessment is completed. This assessment must be in writing and will cover the following:
- A description of the work, including the type of work. For example. repairs and removal;
- The type, quantity and condition of the asbestos containing material;
- The steps to be taken to prevent or reduce exposure to the lowest level reasonably practicable, including the reasons for the chosen work;
- The steps to be taken to control the release of asbestos into the environment;
- Details of expected exposures and the numbers of people affected;
- Procedures for the removal of any waste;
- Procedures for dealing with emergencies;
- Use and decontamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) including respiratory protective equipment (RPE); and;
- A check on the proposed Contractor's competence (and any pending notices) using the HSE website.
6.4 The Council’s CRM Co-ordinator (Environmental Services, Property Services) will ensure that every contractor involved in working with asbestos, where Construction Design and Management regulations apply, submits a copy of an assessment, Plan of Work and appropriate Method Statement prior to any work commencing that may involve asbestos. This does not preclude any minor work involving limited amounts of external asbestos cement products. For example, removing asbestos rainwater goods materials, single sheets of asbestos cement, etc.
A copy of the above information will be submitted to the Contract Administrator and CRM Co-ordinator (Environmental Services, Property Services) in order to allow notification to the HSE where necessary. In exceptional circumstances where the delay could create a danger to staff or the public this can be reduced. Work will not commence on site until the Plan of Work and Method Statement have been approved.
In specific low risk circumstances - i.e. dealing with asbestos cement sheeting, contractors may remove asbestos in ‘non-notifiable’ cases, but must still provide a Plan of Work and Method Statement for approval prior to commencing work.
6.5 Safe Systems of Work
All work undertaken by contractors must be undertaken in accordance with methods provided by HSG210 (Health and Safety Executive – Asbestos Essentials – Task Manual) or be undertaken by a licensed asbestos contractor using an agreed safe system of work. Any costs arising will be deemed the responsibility of the appropriate Project Manager. Where control measures are introduced, The Moray Council will ensure they are maintained and properly used by carrying out regular site inspections.
Part of the safe system of work will include the safe disposal of the asbestos waste. This involves the completion of a Pre-notification consignment note for waste disposed of and the copies of certificates for waste removed by specialist contractors licensed by the HSE. For the majority of work involving the disposal of asbestos waste there is a requirement to give three days notice before disposal. This can be wavered by the SEPA in exceptional circumstances such as collection of fly tipping where there is a risk arising from the three day delay.
Safe Systems of Work for all employees will be used and updated as necessary in the form of method statements where work results in a possible risk of exposure to asbestos. All necessary Personal Protective Equipment for employees will be provided.
6.6 Notification to Health and Safety Executive
At least 14 days prior to commencement, the Health and Safety Executive must be notified by the HSE licensed Contractor of any work likely to give rise to asbestos in air above the approved "control limits" specified by the Regulations. This type of work will be carried out by a Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor, who will be responsible for providing all necessary method statements to satisfy the HSE and subsequently carrying out the removal work in accordance with current regulations.
Any asbestos removal works carried out on behalf of the Moray Council will be carried out with the affected building closed to the public during the period of the works.
6.7 Information and Training
All contractors working with asbestos must ensure that their staff are aware of the content of this Policy, and relevant Safe Working Methods approved by the Health & Safety Executive. Proof of appropriate levels of training for all personnel who are involved in any asbestos related work and those who may come into contact with asbestos containing materials within our properties must be provided to the CDM Co-ordinator on request.