Occupational Health and Safety in Employment

3.1 ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

PURPOSE

To provide for the safe handling, removal and management of materials containing asbestos.

COMMITMENT STATEMENT

The University of Waikato is firmly committed to the provision of a safe and healthy work environment. This commitment is aimed at eliminating the risks of asbestos related disease. In meeting this aim the University recognises The Health and Safety in Employment Act, the Guidelines for the Management and Removal of Asbestos and any subsequent Asbestos Regulations, as a minimum standard at all times.

The presence of asbestos, by itself, does not necessarily constitute a hazard.

The University is however committed to immediate removal of all asbestos where asbestos dust exists during repairs or alterations, and to the programmed removal of other asbestos. Encapsulation or enclosure are other alternatives where the asbestos product is in a stable condition.

The University has the responsibility of ensuring that by allowing asbestos to remain in place, or in the course of its removal from any of its premises, no staff member, student, or contractor is placed at risk of significant exposure to asbestos fibres.

The use of asbestos products or processes is restricted to those for which there is no substitute.

Asbestos related disease may occur many years after exposure. Therefore the University accepts responsibility for health screening of current and former employees at its discretion and where it believes the circumstances are justified and appropriate.

Where buildings are leased by the University, it is the responsibility of the building owner to identify and control any asbestos hazard, and to inform the lessee of its presence, location and condition.

BACKGROUND

Asbestos is the common name given to the fibrous form of mineral silicates from the serpentine and amphibole groups of minerals. Chrysotile (white asbestos) belongs to the serpentine group while crocidolite (blue) and amosite (brown) are amphibole varieties. The rock fibres are very light, durable, flexible, and heat resistant, and have a high tensile strength with good binding properties. There are over 3,000 uses for asbestos. In New Zealand it has mainly been used in construction materials (roofing, cladding, thermal/acoustic insulation) and in products such as decorative coatings, insulation for pipes and boilers, brake linings, gaskets, floor tiles, and asbestos cement pipes.

Health Effects and Risks

Exposure to asbestos fibre can occur when materials containing asbestos are sanded, sawn, drilled, or handled in maintenance or removal tasks. Most of the larger fibres are deposited in the nose and upper airways where the body's normal defence mechanisms can clear them. However small fibres, (those too small to be seen by the naked eye) are easily inhaled and are deposited in airspaces deep in the lung tissue. The main diseases associated with the inhalation of asbestos fibre are Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and Pleural Plaques.

Asbestosis. Fibrous scar tissues form around dust fibres in the air sacs of the lung tissue, leading to progressive shortness of breath that can cause heart failure or death.

Mesothelioma. This is a relatively rare type of incurable malignant tumour of the lining of the lung or the abdomen.

Lung Cancer. People exposed to asbestos dust have a greater chance of developing lung cancer, particularly if they are smokers.

Pleural Plaques. This is a benign condition of the lungs which is quite common but rarely causes any adverse effects.

All forms of asbestos have been found to cause lung disease. The development of asbestos related diseases depends on the cumulative dose, i.e. the duration and concentration of exposure, usually for many years and to significantly high levels, although there is no known "safe" level. There is a long latency period between exposure and the development of disease, so there is the potential for illness long after the exposure to asbestos has been controlled.

Environmental Exposure

Reports conclude that asbestos fibres in food, water and the general atmosphere do not constitute a public health risk. It has been estimated that asbestos-lined buildings pose a lung cancer risk which is less than one hundredth of that due to passive smoking. Notwithstanding this, every effort should be made to reduce exposure to the lowest practicable level.

IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL OF ASBESTOS

Since 1991 the University of Waikato has systematically identified asbestos in ceilings, cladding and piping in many of the buildings under its control. The location, type, and condition of the asbestos has been documented, (Asbestos Register), tests carried out, and a programme of removal implemented, even where the assessment showed the asbestos product was in a stable condition. It is recognised that encapsulation or enclosure can be viable alternatives to removal, and in two small areas ceiling cladding has been left above wall joists where it is fully enclosed. It will be removed when building alterations take place.

MAINTENANCE WORK

Any work of a minor nature involving maintenance to existing non-friable asbestos cement materials is not classified as restricted work as specified in the Asbestos Regulations. However all the following safety requirements in the Regulations must be observed:

• abrasive cutting or sanding power tools should not be used as they generate large amounts of dust;
  
• non powered hand tools should be used;
  
• wetting down the material further reduces the release of dust when cutting. High pressure water jets/guns should not be used;
  
• work with products containing asbestos should be carried out in well ventilated areas and where possible in the open air;
  
• disposable overalls must be worn, and an approved respirator worn;
  
• all off-cuts and associated waste, including collected dust, are to be disposed of as asbestos waste; and
  
• good hygiene principles should be observed.

NEW DISCOVERY OF ASBESTOS

Potentially there could still be some other unknown sources of asbestos.
Sampling and analysis of suspect material is the only way to verify the presence of asbestos.

If suspect material is discovered, leave the area immediately, and report it to the Maintenance Manager or Building Superintendent at Facilities Management Division so that arrangements for signage, sampling and testing can be arranged. Do not re-enter the area without approval from one of these managers.

PROCEDURES

A representative sample should be taken of all friable or suspect materials. Any variations in the appearance, texture or colour of the material will necessitate additional samples being taken.

For multistorey buildings, at least one sample per floor should be taken.

Samples should be adequately labelled, e.g. the name and location of the building, the exact location of the sampled material, date of sampling and a batch identification number. The person taking the samples should wear suitable respiratory protection. The samples should then be sent to a reputable laboratory for analysis.

Suspect material must be regarded as containing asbestos, and dealt with accordingly, until the results of the analysis are available.

Risk Evaluation

If analysis of material samples confirms the presence of asbestos, the potential exposure of persons entering the place of work should be evaluated by people competent to do this. The composition and condition of all asbestos should be assessed for its potential to release fibres into the workplace air. The time period between each assessment will be determined by the condition and location of the asbestos material. In some cases a visual assessment should be done annually, but if it is in good condition, and unlikely to be disturbed, three yearly intervals could be adequate.

Records

A record of all information relating to the presence and condition of asbestos on all University sites should be kept. It should have details on identification, location, assessment of exposure risk, monitoring results, and a regularly updated risk management plan. The presence of asbestos should be marked clearly on building plans. These plans should be made available to Facilities Management Division staff, and to outside contractors.

Hazard Control

The asbestos management programme is part of the University's overall approach to risk management. When the evaluation process has revealed a likelihood of excessive exposure to asbestos fibre, controls must be put into place.

Methods of control include removal, encapsulation or sealing, and enclosure. The method chosen should be based on the condition of the asbestos, the possibility of further damage or deterioration, and the potential for exposure of personnel to airborne asbestos. Where the asbestos is in a stable condition, no immediate action is needed. However the HSE Act requires significant hazards to be eliminated, and its removal is consistent with this requirement.

Removal work

Removal of Asbestos is restricted work which can only be carried out by a person holding a certificate of competence to perform restricted work. All work should be carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for the Management and Removal of Asbestos, Section 2 (Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) 1995). Where restricted work is being performed, the employer is required to notify the OSH Service of the Department of Labour, and should give reasonable notice to employees as to when and how the work will be done. Waste asbestos products shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 5 of the above-mentioned Guidelines.

Health Monitoring

Where a current or former employee of The University of Waikato believes he or she may have been exposed to asbestos as a result of employment at the University, the University will, at its discretion and where it believes justified and appropriate, provide health screening for the individual.

SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION (Held by the Maintenance Manager at FMD)

Guidelines for the Management and Removal of Asbestos. Department of Labour (OSH) 1995
University of Waikato Asbestos Register.
Procedures for the Identification, Assessment and Control of Asbestos (Maintenance Work)