Asbestos

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.

Asbestos Containing Materials

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.