The purpose
of identifying asbestos in buildings is to prevent, or if this is not
reasonably practicable, minimise exposure for workers and other people on the
premises. To achieve this, PCBUs need information about whether asbestos is, or
is likely to be, present in the buildings. This will help the PCBU assess the
risks it presents and work out how to manage those risks.
The Health
and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 now require the principal and
the board as a PCBU to consider and then survey the presence of asbestos across
their site if they know, or should reasonably know, that asbestos is present. If asbestos, or asbestos containing materials
(ACMs), are found to be present, an asbestos management plan is required. Further, whenever property work is planned which will
involve either the demolition or partial demolition of existing structures, or
remedial building work that will disrupt existing buildings, then the presence
of asbestos must be considered.
If situations exist where the presence of asbestos, or ACMs,
is considered possible or likely, then a survey by suitably qualified persons must be completed.
An asbestos
survey will:
- help the school manage asbestos in the workplace
- provide accurate information about the location, amount and condition of asbestos and ACM
- help decide if remedial action is required
The survey
information is used to prepare a record of the location of any asbestos, as
well as an asbestos management plan for the workplace. The asbestos survey also identifies all the asbestos and ACM that needs to be
removed before starting refurbishment or demolition work. Complete
guidance to the required actions relating to the identification and removal of
asbestos are laid out in detail on the Worksafe
website.
Asbestos Management Plan
When a
survey by a qualified person has identified the presence of asbestos or ACMs
the following records are completed:
·
Identification, location, condition, quantity,
and monitoring plan for any ACM is recorded in the school’s hazard register
- Where the asbestos has been identified - specific
location, including building element and elevation, e.g. Classroom 2,
Block C, external cladding, external elevations
- How you plan to manage the
asbestos risks (remove it, encapsulate it with a false wall or paint,
leave it alone as it is in good condition, etc) and the reasons for those
decisions
- What procedures you will follow
when work is to be undertaken
- How you will record incidents or
emergencies involving asbestos
- A timetable for managing
asbestos exposure risks considering priorities and dates for removal,
reviews, circumstances and activities that could affect the timing of action
- A timetable for reviewing and
revising the asbestos management plan and asbestos documentation within
five years
- All information recorded is
shared with contractors working on site
The Ministry
of Education has a template for the creation of an Asbestos Management Plan.
Note:
If asbestos is present and it is confirmed that the condition of the material will
either pose a risk to health in its current form or if it is disturbed as a
result of work about to commence, the work area should be isolated immediately
and appropriate warning signage displayed until the risk has been effectively
managed.
Large amounts of Asbestos
Containing Materials, (ACMs), were used for a wide range of construction
purposes in new and refurbished buildings until 2000. This means there are many
buildings in New Zealand that contain asbestos or ACM. If the ACM is in good
condition, and unlikely to be disturbed, it may not present a significant risk.
However, if the ACM is in poor condition, disturbed or damaged, asbestos fibres
are released into the air. If breathed in, these fibres can cause serious lung
diseases, including cancers.
Workers who disturb
the fabric of buildings during maintenance, refurbishment, repair, installation
and related activities are exposed to asbestos every time they unknowingly work
on ACM, or carry out work without assessing and managing the risks.
