He did the test, using my laptop and my internet, but I helped him with understanding certain words, some questions he answered were not correct and he had 3 tries to get them right, only here I consulted him and explained to him why his answers were wrong, the notes we took down are with him and I have told him that he should go through those notes and key points and remember those key points.
I am not shocked at the fact I became his tutor, but the fact that such sites are available and people can pass their safety awareness test in hours without attending classes.
The guy knew about Asbestos, even I thought I knew quite a bit about it, so on the whole it was a good experience and an eye opener for both of us,
The main essence of the awareness test was that if you have any doubt as to any material you are about to handle or drill or cut, it may be asbestos, then Don't proceed if you are in a doubt, and stop and consult your supervisor or employer. end of the day you are responsible.
Then the other main point was that it is You who are responsible for providing safety and breathing equipment if you were given a job to work on asbestos, do not rely on others to provide you with protective gear
and to avoid contaminating any areas where you are working.
We both discussed the notes and studied together, and wrote key points on a paper,
Key points were:
Asbestos is a wide range group of naturally occurring mineral, contained within the earth's surface.
had been or may still be in use in:
Fire protection, Brake shoes, air filtration in hospital ventilators, cigarette tips, in Military gas Masks!
1920 -first death occurred
1931 First asbestos Industry regulation
1945 Most widely used during the WW2 and following it.
1985 Blue and Brown asbestos banned in use in Uk
1999 white asbestos was banned
Use of asbestos totally banned after 1999.
2004 duty to manage asbestos regulations enforced
2006 control of asbestos regulations introduced
2012 any work done on asbestos is notifiable by non-licensed operatives
Materials which contain high asbestos contents; between 50 to 100%
Sprayed coatings, Thermal Insulation, asbestos textiles including fire blankets, asbestos paper,
Medium density: between 25 to 50%fire resistant boards, some floor and vinyl tiles, linoleum.
lower density: between 1 to 25% asbestos plastics, toilet cisterns, textured coatings like Artex, cement facials, soffits,
(All of above are considered as medium to high risk to health except the toilet cisterns which are considered as lowest risk (if they are made of fibrous material and not clay/china)
Artex contains between 3 to 5% asbestos so is relatively low risk, but still should be handles with care when peeling old ceilings.
If you suspect anything may contain asbestos, then see your supervisor or take precaution when handling that material, use your common sense.
ACM, asbestos containing materials: example:''
Artex, sprayed coatings, asbestos cement and sheet & moulded products,electrical fuse boards, insulation and lagging on plants and pipes,floor covering and tiles, insulating boards for walls covering, gas and electrical heating appliances, fire proof textiles and gaskets and others.
AIB, asbestos insulating board
Asbestos kills around 4500 people in UK each year
There are two main groups of asbestos:
1. AMPHIBOLES - this iron bases silicate structure, it has Hydroxyl layer on the outside, meaning it is HYDROPHOBIC and so it repels water
2. SERPENTINE - this is Magnesium based silicate structure, this one has Hydroxyl layer to inside, so it is HYDROPHILIC, they are easy to get wet or absorb water.
Main types of asbestos are
Blue, also known as Crocidolite ( it has sharp needle like fibres)
Brown, also known as Amosite ( it has sharp needle like fibres)
White, also known as Chrysotile - ( it is a soft curly type structure ) this is most commonly used in building materials
There are 3 other less common types:
Tremolite
Actinolite
Anthophylite
People who are self employed or small contractors need to adhere to Health & Safety Act at work 1974
Employers or Duty holders. Became responsible for employees under the Management of Health & Safety at work regulations 1999
( a duty holder is an employer, or a tenant, or a contractor)
Control of asbestos regulations were introduced in 2012,
2002 Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises regulation 4.
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