ASBESTOS / CERAMIC WOOL

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Tobias Norman
6 years ago
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1 HSE guidelines HApril 2017 ASBESTOS / CERAMIC WOOL

2 Work safely or don t work at all There are strict procedures when working on installations and systems. After all, there s a risk for hazardous substances to be released. Therefore read the Permit to Work carefully and check if the described control measures have been taken. Then take the precautionary measures which belong to your job. Always be alert to prevent hazardous substances from being released. When in doubt: always ask or stop working! Speaking the same clear language regarding Health, Safety and Environment, and harmonisation of regulations by focusing primarily on agreements between companies and contractors. That is the goal the member parties of HSElife NL pursue. As well as the information that has already been harmonised, location and company-specific information also applies. Ask for it!

3 ASBESTOS / CERAMIC WOOL Because of its excellent properties as a material (strong, durable, insulating and cheap), asbestos was widely used in buildings until the late twentieth century. In 1993, however, its use was prohibited in the Netherlands. Since then, no products containing asbestos have been manufactured. But the material can still be found in older buildings and systems. If it is damaged, exposed during renovation or demolition work or affected by fire, asbestos presents a serious danger to human health and the environment.

4 CERAMIC WOOL At locations exposed to intense heat, such as steam pipes, ceramic wool has been used as substitute for asbestos. But ceramic wool also poses a serious health hazard. Therefore this material is subject to the same working procedures and regulations as asbestos. Please note: A laboratory analysis on insulation material is required to check if it contains asbestos or ceramic fibres. When in doubt, contact specialised companies and stop working. Very often survey reports have already been made of sites where asbestos is present. These are known to the site manager who will consider this before releasing the Permit to Work.

5 HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH The main Asbestos-related diseases are: asbestosis (chronic inflammation of the lung), lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of lungs, chest cavity or abdominal cavity). There is no exposure and therefore no health risk when asbestos materials are in good condition and left undisturbed. Danger: release of microscopic fibres by: grinding milling cutting drilling scouring Please note: a high concentration of respirable ceramic fibres can be expected when removing old insulation which has been exposed to high temperatures.

6 WORKING WITH ASBESTOS OR CERAMIC WOOL An asbestos survey report + a working plan certified company (certified asbestos removal company) Carrying out activities certified personnel employed by a certified company Supervision - a certified employee (an asbestos removal supervisor) Final review - qualified party (other than the removal company)

7 THE SITE MANAGER: holds a toolbox meeting secures the installation, if necessary isolates the workplace takes care of workplace handover using the Permit to Work and the Task Risk Analysis

8 PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO FIBRES In all cases: make sure that you stay upwind from the workplace, as far as possible when working with these materials in an enclosed space, make sure that absolutely no fibres are left behind and turn off the ventilation if fibres are deposited, collect them using a special asbestos vacuum cleaner. Never use an ordinary vacuum cleaner, as this will not pick up the fibres safely.

9 PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO FIBRES Removing asbestos or ceramic wool Use the correct extra personal protective equipment: Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR)* disposable overalls disposable overshoes suitable gloves * In case of amphibious asbestos, independent breathing protection is required

10 PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO FIBRES Fitting new insulating material whenever possible, use preformed insulating material rather than loose material. Preformed insulating material is usually coated to prevent the release of fibres use the correct extra personal protective equipment (as above) know the type of material you are working with; use other materials instead of ceramic wool where possible

11 QUESTIONS? MORE INFORMATION? You can always approach the site manager/supervisor.

12 5 TO REMEMBER Work with the wind behind you and make sure the workplace is properly ventilated Cordon off the workplace Avoid breakages and dispersion Clean up the workplace Use the correct PPE (see folder) IMPORTANT! Asbestos and ceramic wool must be removed by qualified personnel.

13 QUESTION 1. When are asbestos and ceramic wool not hazardous to health? A) These materials are not hazardous to health if they are present in tied situations, for example a plate or blanket. B) If a laboratory or a specialized company determines that there s no hazard to health. C) If you work downwind.

14 ANSWER 1. When are asbestos and ceramic wool not hazardous to health? A) These materials are not hazardous to health if they are present in tied situations, for example a plate or blanket. B) If a laboratory or a specialized company determines that there s no hazard to health. C) If you work downwind.

15 QUESTION 2. When are asbestos and ceramic wool certainly hazardous to health? A) If microscopic fibres are released by grinding, milling, cutting, drilling and scouring. B) The material is hazardous to health if it has often been exposed to high temperatures. C) Asbestos and ceramic fibres are hazardous to health when they are released into the air or when they end up in surface water.

16 ANSWER 2. When are asbestos and ceramic wool certainly hazardous to health? A) If microscopic fibres are released by grinding, milling, cutting, drilling and scouring. B) The material is hazardous to health if it has often been exposed to high temperatures. C) Asbestos and ceramic fibres are hazardous to health when they are released into the air or when they end up in surface water.

17 QUESTION 3. How do you prevent exposure to fibres? A) You prevent exposure to fibres if you make sure that you stay or work upwind from the workplace, as far as possible. B) You prevent exposure to fibres if you wear work gloves and an antistatic coverall. C) If you isolate the workplace after it has been handed over.

18 ANSWER 3. How do you prevent exposure to fibres? A) You prevent exposure to fibres if you make sure that you stay or work upwind from the workplace, as far as possible. B) You prevent exposure to fibres if you wear work gloves and an antistatic coverall. C) If you isolate the workplace after it has been handed over.

19 QUESTION 4. What extra personal protection equipment should you wear if you remove asbestos and ceramic wool? A) Antistatic disposable coverall, full-face respirator with ABEKHgP3 filter unit, overshoes, suitable gloves, safety glasses. B) Full-face respirator with ABEKHgP3 filter unit, disposable overall, disposable overshoes, suitable gloves. C) Disposable overall, full-face respirator with ABEKHgP3 filter unit, overshoes, suitable gloves, safety glasses, full-face mask.

20 ANSWER 4. What extra personal protection equipment should you wear if you remove asbestos and ceramic wool? A) Antistatic disposable coverall, full-face respirator with ABEKHgP3 filter unit, overshoes, suitable gloves, safety glasses. B) Full-face respirator with ABEKHgP3 filter unit, disposable overall, disposable overshoes, suitable gloves. C) Disposable overall, full-face respirator with ABEKHgP3 filter unit, overshoes, suitable gloves, safety glasses, full-face mask.

21 QUESTION 5. Who perform work on asbestos and ceramic wool? A) People from another company who also remove asbestos. B) A certified employee who is also an asbestos removal supervisor. C) Certified personnel employed by a certified company.

22 ANSWER 5. Who perform work on asbestos and ceramic wool? A) People from another company who also remove asbestos. B) A certified employee who is also an asbestos removal supervisor. C) Certified personnel employed by a certified company.

MODEL CRYSTALLINE SILICA EXPOSURE PLAN

PLAN TOOL TYPE GEOGRAPHY ALL BENEFITS MODEL CRYSTALLINE SILICA EXPOSURE PLAN Workers in various trades and industries, including mining, tunnelling, quarrying, masonry, metal foundries and ship and bridge