Asbestos Scaffolding

To assist RSL to comply with our legal duties, extra training is given to supervisors, managers, and directors at an appropriate level so that they can effectively carry out their role on site.

Prior to notifying the work to HSE, a desktop study is carried out using the information gleaned from the site visit and the buildings asbestos survey. 

A specific risk assessment and method statement is then formulated from the findings of the desk top study explaining details of the following:

• the nature and probable duration of the work;
• the number of persons involved in the work;
• the address and location where the work is to be carried out;
• the methods to be used to prevent or reduce exposure;
• the type of PPE and RPE;
• the equipment to be used for decontamination, including the decontamination unit (DCU);
• emergency procedures;
• a plan including site layout and a description of the location and nature of the asbestos which could be disturbed by the work;
• how the asbestos zone will be established and transit routes to the DCU;
• the scaffold design and details of any scaffold inspections.

Medical Surveillance

All operatives undertaking licensed work with asbestos have undergone a 2 yearly medical check by an approved occupational physician (ie one who is appointed by the HSE).

A copy of the certificate issued by the appointed doctor is retained by RSL for at least 40 years.

Health Surveillance

Exposure records are prepared and maintained for each operative carrying licensed or notifiable non-licensed work with asbestos. These records will be retained for 40 years and each operative is able to view their own record when requested.

A correctly fitted face mask is paramount to the health and welfare of the wearer.

To ensure that the selected face mask will provide suitable and sufficient protection for the wearer, a fit test is carried out by a UKATA certified company. The test is carried out as part of the initial selection of the RPE and is carried out for each manufacturers make and model of RPE.

Following a certified face fit test, appropriate RPE is provided and used by all scaffolders where ACM’s have been or are likely to be disturbed.

An Asbestos ancillary scaffold licence is required to provide access for licensed asbestos removal work where it is foreseeable that the scaffolding activity is likely to disturb asbestos. By definition, there will always be a ‘full’ licensed asbestos removal contractor associated with any notified ancillary scaffold work.

Where a licence (and notification) is applicable, the scaffold company will prepare a detailed method of work for site teams to follow.  This plan of work will outline the practical steps to be followed in order to prevent and reduce exposure.  It will also explain how employees are expected to decontaminate when leaving the work area.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF LICENSED WORK WITH ACM’s

A Licence will be required:

A scaffold is required as part of an environmental clean. The ACM’s are in poor condition: e.g. there isdebris, such as broken AIB tiles in the work area
Scaffolding is required for a licensed removal job in a boiler house. The design of the scaffold is complex,it is a very restricted space and work will be in very close proximity to ACM’s
Scaffolding is required in a live asbestos enclosure

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A LICENCE

A Licence will not be required:

An access scaffold is required in order to provide the licensed removal contractor with access to AIB ceiling tiles. The AIB tiles are in good condition
Access scaffolding is required to provide access to pipe work for a lagging removal job containing ACM’s.
The pipe lagging is in good condition

In accordance with the HSC Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) ‘Work with materials containing asbestos