Asbestos
Common Questions

Common Questions

Can I wear a disposable mask to protect myself from asbestos fibres?

No such masks are only suitable for nuisance dust and you must always avoid contact with asbestos fibres

I have been told that white asbestos (Chrysotile) is not so dangerous, is this the case?

All asbestos fibres must be considered as being harmful and must be treated in the same way.

How can I find out about asbestos containing materials in a building?

If the building is part of the property portfolio then for JCI managed buildings the asbestos register is available from the JCI Asbestos Management Team. For nations and regions the asbestos register is available through the Approved Person Asbestos or the Asbestos Management Team.

If the premises is a location then the information must be obtained from the Owner or Landlord if no information is available then please contact the Asbestos Management Team for further advice.

Please note: Where a building is deemed to be a domestic or private dwelling the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 will not normally apply. However it is important to understand that a domestic or private dwelling will become a place of work for the BBC and its staff under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and therefore reverts to a non domestic premise.

That change will require reasonable steps to be undertaken to find asbestos materials in that premise, assess the risk, and prepare a plan to manage that risk throughout the duration of occupation of the lease, and in line with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos regulations 2006.

Can I tell what type of asbestos it is by the colour?

No the colour differences are only visible by microscopic inspection.

We have been told there is no asbestos at an old factory location what must I do?
Ensure that any report is from a reputable source [look for UKAS United Kingdom Accreditation Service registration] and if in doubt check with the JCI AMT there is no cost for this service

We have found some white powder at an old industrial premises can I clean it up?
No leave well alone, instruct everyone to leave the area and tell others (contractors etc). If you still want to use the location contact the JCI AMT who will arrange for a survey and analysis

I have disturbed Asbestos, what should I do?
If Asbestos is disturbed whilst working on a third parties site (i.e. not a BBC Site) the Landlord/Building Manager and the BBC Asbestos Management Team (07885 962 682) should be notified immediately. If Asbestos has been disturbed in a BBC building, You must notify the Appointed Persons Asbestos (APA) for the specific site, then the Duty Facilities Manager (DFM) on either x0264651 or x0254242 and also The Asbestos Management Team (07885 962 682). This must be done by the quickest possible means (i.e. Telephone). In both circumstances, you should stop the work which led to the Asbestos Containing Materials being disturbed and immediately withdraw all persons from the local vicinity without causing undue alarm. You should deny further access to the area, closing all doors behind you.

We are going to demolish part of an old building to change it to meet the storyline, do I need to consider asbestos?
Yes. If there is not an existing Asbestos Survey available then you will need to have an asbestos survey and report undertaken before any work is begun and make it available to your contractors so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

We have discovered asbestos at a location - can we go ahead and ask a licensed asbestos removal contractor to remove it immediately?
No. The BBC has a number of legal duties when undertaking any work with asbestos irrespective of its condition or location. The BBC has appointed the Asbestos Management Team as its competent professionals to meet its statutory obligations relating to the management of asbestos. The Management Team will draw-up all the requirements to comply with current asbestos legislation. They will prepare all the require paper work, and notify the HSE as appropriate. They will appoint a Licensed Removal Contractor, and monitor the works through-out, and record all actions undertaken including reassurance air testing. The Asbestos Management Team will provide site clearance certification for safe reoccupation and archive all records of waste disposal. An audit trail relating to the scope of works, and the contractor's performance will be produced and recorded for future reference.

Please Note: There are normally no waivers or dispensation giving by the enforcing authority unless there is a serious risk of exposure to a person.

Is asbestos always restricted to industrial and commercial premises?
No. Asbestos Containing Materials can be found in many locations, such as, cinemas, theatres, offices, pubs, clubs, houses, flats, vehicles, railway carriages etc. and in a range of products, for example, spray coatings, pipe laggings, rain water goods (gutters, down-pipes and troughs) roof sheets, insulation board, roof promenade tiles, vinyl floor tiles, plant pots, sheeting, fire blankets cisterns and water tanks etc.

The asbestos register for our location has identified asbestos containing material in the boiler house; does this mean we cannot use the location?
Not necessarily, if you do not intend to use the boiler house as part of the programme then control access by notification "out of bounds" and clearly place signage to this effect. You can then use the remaining site as needed. If the boiler house is required as part of the program then discuss the options with the Asbestos Management Team. Options may include the possibility of installing impact protection or encapsulation to the high risk asbestos areas to be used.

All risk reductions options must be discussed and agreed with the Asbestos Management Team before any work commences in areas of concerns.

Asbestos Common Questions

Asbestos
Common Questions