4.1 Asbestos

Introduction

There are many asbestos products that are still in use today. Asbestos containing materials are present in various locations around the university. For instance, ceiling and wall tiles in certain areas may be asbestos insulation boards. Also there may be certain pieces of machinery that contain asbestos gaskets. If the asbestos is in a sealed form then it does not pose a risk to health.

Asbestos fibres or dust can be produced by drilling or sanding asbestos materials or by breaking the outer surface of pipe lagging. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to chronic ill health and even death.

There is legislation and approved codes of practice that define the standards that must be applied.

Purpose

To inform staff about the measures that are in place to prevent the exposure of staff, students, visitors, contractors, and members of the public to asbestos materials so far as reasonably practicable.

Principles

The university is committed to complying with statutory requirements and preventing the exposure of staff, students, visitors, contractors, and members of the public to asbestos materials so far as reasonably practicable.

It achieves this by

identifying locations and equipment containing asbestos materials
use of appropriate expertise when assessing the presence of asbestos containing materials and in determining appropriate control measures
planning and control of work on or near asbestos containing materials including
training and supervision of staff who may come into contact with such materials
provision of information to designers and contractors about the location of such materials and the standards and procedures to which they are required to work
ensuring that contractors are competent, that they have assessed their work, will comply with legislation and university procedures, and have developed explicit methods for ensuring that exposure to asbestos does not occur
use of approved contractors for work on asbestos
control of the disposal of asbestos materials through approved asbestos contractors
informing staff as appropriate of the location of asbestos containing materials and the necessary control measures

Responsibilities

Responsibility at Directorate for the fabric and maintenance of the university’s estate lies with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Resources).

Facilities and Facilities and Estates and the Safety Department are the competent persons responsible for advising management on the development and content of the asbestos management programme in line with statutory requirements.

The Director of Facilities and Estates ensures that all building, refurbishment, and demolition projects managed by or through the Facilities and Facilities and Estates function comply with this policy.

The Director of Facilities and Estates ensures that access to restricted areas is enforced and that all maintenance, building, refurbishment, and demolition work managed by or through the Facilities function comply with this policy.

The Head of Information Services Department ensures that all data cabling work managed by or through the Information Services Division comply with this policy.

Heads of departments ensure that their staff, students, visitors, and contractors are made aware of and comply with this policy.

Arrangements

All maintenance, building, refurbishment, and demolition work relating to premises is managed by the Facilities and Facilities and Estates department. Data cabling is carried out or managed by Information Services Division. Where a process could affect asbestos containing materials then procedures set out in the Facilities and Estates and Maintenance Operating Manual must be followed. Any changes to these procedures must be approved by the Facilities and Facilities and Estates Department with input from the Health and Safety departments.

Issue of Information

The Facilities and Facilities and Estates Department maintains the asbestos register and archives of asbestos remediation work. This register includes details of asbestos containing materials on university sites. The registers are held in the Facilities and Estates department.

The asbestos registers are strictly controlled and kept up to date via the Safety Department and the appointed asbestos consultant. As a minimum, following annual inspection and any major treatment works to ensure that only the latest version is in use. Copies are issued to Facilities and Estates, Facilities, and Information Communications Technology departments via the Safety Department. Contractors working in University premises are to be issued with the current register at the pre-contract meeting.

Annual Inspection

The condition of asbestos containing material is inspected in line with current guidelines; minimum annual inspection by an appointed asbestos consultant. The Inspection results to be recorded in the log attaché to the register.

Reporting

On discovery of asbestos-containing material in poor condition then inform the Facilities and Estates Department by phone on extension 2356 or by e-mail. The Health & Safety Department will arrange for inspection and testing by appointed asbestos consultants as appropriate.

Guidance for staff

All works relating to disruption of the fabric of the building are to be requested via the Facilities and Facilities and Estates helpdesk. Works will be undertaken by trained and competent personnel.

Asbestos Treatment Advice

Should Facilities and Facilities and Estates identify any asbestos materials proximate to works, advice on appropriate action will be sought from appointed asbestos consultants.

Appointment of Asbestos Consultant

The appointment of the asbestos consultant is to be awarded on a three year contract following a technical tender process. Services are to include the project management of treatment works, annual inspection of registered material sites and the update of asbestos registers (text and drawings).The consultant will also deliver an annual asbestos awareness course. The contractor and consultant services are to run for a concurrent period.