Viewing entries tagged with 'asbestos'
How do you undertake air disturbance during Asbestos Clearance monitoring?
Introduction
The Clearance inspection process in New Zealand follows the international norm of a four-stage clearance inspection process defined as:
Why do we need to do surface Sampling for Asbestos Clearance?
Introduction
As far as I am aware New Zealand is the only country that requires surface sampling as part of the asbestos Clearance procedure.
Is all Asbestos the same?
Introduction
When I started learning about asbestos, I was told that there were three main types, and that these were known by their ‘colour’. In addition, I was informed that Chrysotile (white) asbestos was the ‘safer’ one, due to its wavy fibre form. Whereas Amosite (brown) and Crocidolite (blue) were the ‘unsafe’ ones, with Crocidolite being the really nasty one.
Asbestos / Asbestoid / Asbestiform – Is there a difference and does it matter?
Introduction and regulatory position
People involved with asbestos will be aware that there are six regulated types, and in New Zealand these are defined in Regulation 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations (2016) (Asbestos Regulations).
When and why does a building or structure require an asbestos survey?
Since Ladra gained ISO 17020 accreditation, more people are asking me questions regarding asbestos management. The most recent one is regarding when and why an asbestos survey needs to be undertaken? These questions will be answered below as outlined in the Regulations:
Should a lab with ISO 17025 accreditation get ISO 17020 accreditation?
I have had a significant response to my recent blogs regarding the difference between ISO accreditations 17020 and 17025. One of the recurring questions is people asking whether Labs who are 17025 accredited should also apply for 17020 accreditation?
How do you determine competency to undertake an asbestos survey?
The Asbestos Regulations state that an asbestos survey can be undertaken by individuals that can demonstrate competence in undertaking this work. WorkSafe has published in its Good Practice Guideline: Conducting Asbestos Surveys how this competence can be demonstrated and the table below will outline these together with some comments.
How do you determine the number of air monitoring pumps required when undertaking asbestos removal?
The aim of the air monitoring during asbestos removal works is to follow the potential air flow patterns around a project and then to be in a position to confirm that the air is all safe for the public to breath.
The Asbestos Removal Control Plan
Clause 32 of the new Asbestos Regulations requires the Removalist to prepare an Asbestos Removal Control Plan. The Regulations lists all the items that must be covered. On first reading people may get a bit nervous and wonder if they are able to produce a ‘correct’ plan. People should not be afraid of the plan and just approach it by answering the ‘W’ questions. As set out below:
Smoke testing of asbestos enclosures
As people are aware it is important to undertake smoke testing of your enclosures. People who have not done this before may not be aware of the amount of smoke/fog that is generated inside the enclosure, the visibility can reduce to zero. In one enclosure I tested the other day, the people inside the enclosure could not see their hands (there were no leaks observed so it passed).