POLICY FOR SAFE WORKING WITH ASBESTOS AT THE CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM CORPORATION

Transcription

1 POLICY FOR SAFE WORKING WITH ASBESTOS AT THE CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM CORPORATION October FOREWARD 1.1. This document specifies the Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation (CSTMC) policy to prevent or reduce exposure to asbestos in historic collections owned and managed by CSTMC as required by the Ontario Regulations 278/05 and 347/ CSTMC has an existing Asbestos management plan (2007) for domestic premises owned or controlled by CSTMC. This policy is an addendum to that Corporate Plan CSTMC must manage the risks of asbestos to ensure that no one can come to harm from Asbestos Containing Materials present its historic collections The management system includes both policies and procedures which lay down specific requirements for CSTMC staff, volunteers, research associates, interns and contractors. These include: CSTMC Policy for Safe Working with Asbestos (this document) CSTMC Asbestos Management Plan for Collections CSTMC Conservation Risk management Procedures 2009 Canada Labour Code Part II This policy must be reviewed and revised, as appropriate, in response to the following events: an asbestos incident affecting CSTMC changes in legislation pertaining to asbestos management, or significant changes in state of knowledge regarding asbestos hazards and or asbestos management 1.6. Please read this document carefully and ensure you understand all the issues concerning asbestos hazards. Managers are to ensure that this document is readily available for all personnel to view. 2. INTRODUCTION & INFORMATION 2.1. Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous mineral silicates that are microscopic in size (less than 3 microns in width and 5 microns in length) Asbestos was widely used in the construction industry as thermal and acoustic insulation. It was mixed into many different building materials, in various quantities to offer very effective fire resistance. This is why asbestos products are now commonly known as Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) Asbestos has been widely used in many industries, particularly as heat and sound insulation, as fireproofing and in vehicles. It is highly likely to be present in a wide range of objects within the collections of CSTMC Asbestos in raw dust form is very versatile and could be added as a composite product to many different materials to strengthen, bond or insulate building materials. For this reason, careful assessments must be undertaken prior to conducting works that may potentially disturb any building fabric material, and compliance with CSTMC policies and procedures to manage asbestos risks is mandatory.

2 2.5. In addition to asbestos in building materials CSTMC has identified many other uses of asbestos within its historic collection. For this reason, careful assessments must be undertaken prior to handling or movement of the historic collection, and compliance with CSTMC policies and procedures to manage asbestos risks is mandatory Failure to comply with CSTMC policies and procedures to manage asbestos risks will result in disciplinary action CSTMC will ensure that all relevant staff is suitably equipped to cope with the hazards asbestos present, through the provision of information, training, specialist advice and services If an asbestos containing material is disturbed, damaged or deteriorates through the effects of aging or environmental conditions, the material may become friable and potentially release asbestos fibres into the air. The amount of asbestos released will depend on the asbestos product, its condition, previous treatment and asbestos content Once the microscopic asbestos fibres become airborne they are known as Respirable Fibres. Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos related diseases. The two most common types of asbestos related diseases are: Asbestosis Respirable asbestos fibres inhaled into the lungs settle and cause irritation and inflammation. The body attempts to defend itself from these foreign fibres in various complex ways, and some or all of these defence mechanisms lead to further inflammation and cell damage Eventually a fibrosis (excessive fibrous connective tissue) or scar tissue develops in the small narrow spaces around the airways and alveoli (air sacs in the lungs). The thickening and scarring prevents oxygen and carbon dioxide from travelling between the alveoli and the blood cells, so breathing becomes much more difficult as the disease affects the body s capacity to transfer essential gases Asbestosis is believed to be exposure related and continues to develop even after exposure to asbestos has stopped Unlike other forms of asbestos related disease, such as Mesothelioma, asbestosis is not cancerous Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that begins in the membrane (mesothelium) that covers and protects most of the body s internal organs. The membrane is made up of two layers, one which surrounds the organ itself, and the other which forms a sac lining around it. Much the same as Asbestosis, asbestos fibres cause scarring of the mesothelium to the lungs which makes breathing extremely difficult and uncomfortable Mesothelioma is not believed to be exposure related and can be contracted from lower level concentrations of respirable asbestos fibres.

3 Because a safe threshold for this disease has not been found it is recommended that exposure be kept as low as is possible While there is the potential for all workers and visitors to be exposed, workers engaged in industries such as maintenance, repair work, conservation activities, are particularly vulnerable to exposure. 3. CURRENT LEGISLATION 3.1. This management system when fully implemented will assist CSTMC in complying with its duties under: General requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act RSO 1990: Regulation 278/05 Designated Substance Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations Canada Labour Code Part II. There is currently no federal legislation regulating asbestos The Canada Labour Code Part II imposes a statutory duty on employers to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. This duty also extends to others who may be affected by the employers undertakings (work activity) e.g. contractors, tenants, neighbours, visitors and members of the public If asbestos is present in the collections, this information must be passed to Conservation and Collection Services Division, and Health and Safety Executive. Staff, volunteers, research associates, interns and contractors also need to be informed about the presence of asbestos in the Collection, to avoid inadvertent damage and fibre release All work with asbestos containing materials is regulated by the Ontario Regulations 278/05 and 347/90. The prime objective of these regulations, which are made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1990, is to prevent exposure to asbestos from work activities and where this is not reasonably practicable to reduce exposure as far as is reasonably practicable. 4. ADVICE & ASSISTANCE 4.1. The CSTMC Conservation Division, is the advisor for asbestos issues related to the collection. This includes management of ACMs in the collection, and remedial treatments When required CSTMC uses specialist licensed and accredited contractors to provide expert advice in relation to asbestos management, which may include the following: Recommendations, assistance, guidance, procedures etc. Facilitating qualified and compliant inspections of any object. Facilitating the production of fully detailed inspection reports. Organising sample analysis of any suspect materials. Organising materials assessments & priority assessments of ACMs. Preparing budget estimates for asbestos works. Preparing project specification. Vetting of potential asbestos removal contractors. Assessment of tender proposals. Advising on management and supervision requirements for asbestos removal project.

4 Facilitating clearance and reassurance air monitoring resultant from any such removal works. Advising on Asbestos Disposal & Hazardous Waste 2005 requirements The Director, Conservation and Collection Services; and Manager of the Conservation Division, will determine how and when to utilise services from the specialist contractor/s. 5. ASBESTOS POLICY 5.1. CSTMC is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace It is assumed asbestos is present in many areas of Collections If asbestos containing materials pose a serious risk to the health of persons working with the collection, they shall be contained or removed as safely and as soon as possible Where asbestos containing materials are present within the collection and do not pose a serious risk CSTMC will take the opportunity to contain or remove them progressively, when it is safe and cost effective to do so When asbestos containing materials remain in situ CSTMC will ensure that they are managed in such a manner so that the risk to the health of our employees, contractors, visitors and other people using or visiting our collection is minimised Consistent with Control of Asbestos Regulations, it is CSTMC policy to prevent the exposure of our employees, contractors, visitors and other people using our premises to asbestos in the historic collections so far as is reasonably practicable All work on asbestos containing materials must be carried out in accordance with the current legal standards using the best working practices, under the management of competent CSTMC staff CSTMC aims to reduce the risk of exposure to asbestos to the lowest possible level, and prevent the spread of asbestos by implementing control measures and procedures throughout the organisation All staff, volunteers, research associates, interns and contracts are responsible for ensuring the procedures within the management system are adhered to. 6. ALLOCATION OF RESPONSBILTIES 6.1. All CSTMC responsibilities are implemented in conjunction with the CSTMC Health & Safety Policy In line with the CSTMC Health and Safety Policy, responsibility for managing risks from asbestos follows the CSTMC line management structure: Manager of Conservation and Director, Conservaiton & Collection Services All members of staff must ensure they look after their own health and safety and ensure they do not endanger any other workers or CSTMC visitors while performing their duties.

5 6.4. Asbestos Workers denotes any Conservation staff member trained and certified in the identification and handling of ACMs. Supervisory responsibility for Asbestos Workers rests with the Manager, Conservation Division In addition to these general duties, Asbestos Workers are defined with specific responsibilities for managing asbestos to facilitate the implementation of measures to control asbestos risks at their site or within their business area as follows: Collections Asbestos Managers are responsible for: Maintaining systems to minimise the risk of asbestos disturbance Maintaining information to identify objects which are known or suspected to contain asbestos materials in the CSTMC collection Maintaining systems to ensure all staff, volunteers, research associates, interns and contractors engaged to work on CSTMC objects are aware of the CSTMC policies regarding asbestos and provide information about any known or suspected asbestos hazards in objects being moved, handled or treated Investigating any reported asbestos disturbance within the historic collection Keeping up to date with best practice techniques and changes in legislation pertaining to control of asbestos Providing assistance to other CSTMC staff in relation to CSTMC asbestos management policies and procedures Authorising Conservation treatments, ensuring that KeEMu, the primary collections database, is checked prior to works commencing Specific responsibilities for all staff, volunteers, research associates, interns and contractors working with CSTMC historic collections are described in the Asbestos Management Plan for Collections General responsibilities for all CSTMC staff, volunteers, research associates, interns and contractors working with, managing and maintaining tools of trade (equipment) and any other objects, vehicles, structures or materials (including those used in performances, events and exhibitions) on CSTMC sites must follow management and health and safety procedures. Advice, guidance and support may be sought from site Asbestos Workers or the Conservation Division. 7. ACM CONTROL PROCEDURES 7.1. Procedures to ensure the risk of asbestos disturbance is controlled throughout CSTMC historic collections are described in the Asbestos Management Plan for Collections: - Desktop study to determine the potential presence of ACMs in objects - Further investigation of potential ACMs in objects - Asbestos surveys of collections - Planned inspection of ACMs in collections

6 - Sampling of ACMs in objects - Areas of no access in objects - Recording information on KeEMu - Labelling and identifying ACMs in objects - Remediation of ACMs in objects - Activity risk assessment - Re-inspection, review and maintenance of ACMs in objects - Work involving ACMs - Display of objects with ACMs - Loan, acquisition and disposal of objects with ACMs - Asbestos waste - Emergency procedures - Action to be taken for emergency services - Action to be taken if suspected ACMs are discovered - Information, instruction and training - Internal audit and review of asbestos management plan - Asbestos incidents & disciplinary procedures - Record keeping and provision of information 1. FURTHER INFORMATION 1.1. CSTMC s asbestos management system includes other policy and procedural documents: CSTMC Asbestos Management Plan for Collections CSTMC Conservation Risk Management Policy CSTMC Asbestos Management Plan 2007 **Document adapted from the Policy SP15 from the National Museum of Science & Industry, UK; written by Larry Carr, Collections Hazards Officer; and Marta Leskard, Conservation & Collections Care Manager. Edited by Brian Healey, Regional manager & Senior Technical Advisor; Pinchin Environmental Services. Ottawa. December 1 st, Sue Warren Manager, Conservation Division October 2010.