Introducing Industry Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the indication of competence?

A: In addition to appropriate training, competence can only be assessed by direct observation of an employee carrying out his or her normal work tasks.

Q: Where do I find a training provider?

A: HSE Website

http://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/inovem/inovem.ti/group/asbestos.licensing/viewdatastore?dsid=260

Q: How do I choose a Training Provider?

A: The HSE website contains a list of Training Providers who all undergo voluntary independent auditing to ensure their training complies with the requirements of the Licensed Contractors Guide (Chapter 4) and comply with the requirements of the Asbestos Training Providers Code of Conduct.

Q: Am I required to be a member of a Trade Association?

A: No: It is not a legislative requirement, however to enable access to current industry information or source advise from an informed source it is advisable for a company to be part of an information sharing industry group such as the Independent Asbestos Group or a Trade Association.

Q: Do operatives require medicals prior to commencing work?

A: Prior to any operative commencing work removing licensed asbestos products, that operative must have undergone, appropriate training, a medical carried out by an EMAS registered Doctor and respirator face fit tests, he / she must be able to produce original up to date certification to support all of the above.

Q: Do we have to carry out personal exposure monitoring on every removal project?

A: No: However every asbestos removal contractor must have procedures in place to monitor actual operative exposure to asbestos fibres, usually personal monitoring is carried out on a cross section of contractor’s projects and the results obtained should be recorded and retained along with employee medical records.

Q: What products require notification to the HSE prior to removal?

A: The licensed products that will require removal by a licensed contractor and notification to the HSE are….

• Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB)
• Asbestos containing Thermal Insulation products.
• Asbestos Coatings.

Q: Am I required to notify the local HSE office about every asbestos removal contracts.

A: No: Only removal contracts which entail removing Licensed Products. The other enforcing authority which requires notification for certain types of asbestos removal work is the local Environmental Health office.

Q: Is independent auditing mandatory?

A: No: However it is advisable to utilise an independent auditor, utilised correctly an independent auditor can provide valuable feedback to the asbestos removal contractor regarding the companies overall compliance with current legislation. Independent auditing is compulsory with certain industry insurance suppliers and some insurance providers supply free site and management auditing as part of the insurance package.

Q: What are the benefits of a completed independent audit to my company?

A: An audit can provide a valuable snapshot / insight to the companies compliance to regulations and can also prevent the company from receiving enforcement action notices from an HSE Inspection, which often impacts the contractor’s license renewal.

Q: Does my company need to carry out a training needs analysis for all our employees?

A: Yes: To ensure that all employees (including management) receive the correct training for their specific role and responsibilities.

Q: What are the common faults found on site following an independent audit?

A: Common faults include………

• Poor enclosure and air lock construction.
• DCU’s not set up and operable.
• Insufficient negative pressure.
• Poor decontamination procedures.
• Poor document management.

Q: How do I subscribe to the Independent Asbestos Group?

A: simple: e-mail christine@amac.org.uk with your details and a member of our team will contact you.

In order to collate as many Industry FAQ’s and publish the answers to benefit the whole industry, the trades and the public. We will be publishing your FAQ’s and Answers on www.amac.org.uk within the Industry section from February 2007. Our intention is to provide assessable information for all contractors via the internet or the telephone.

In order for this section to grow a member of the AMAC team will be contacting contractors over the next few months to collate your FAQ’s, provide the Answers and publish for the benefit of all.

AMAC Working together with the Industry…………