Prison Service Order Management of Inadvertent Exposure to Asbestos.
ORDER No. 3802 Date of Initial Issue 12/01/2004
PSI Amendments should be read before and in conjunction with PSO
Date of Further Amendments can be tracked in the Numerical Index. Amendments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This Prison Service Order is being issued to ensure that Governors, Area Managers and Heads of Groups have systems in place to limit the effects of the accidental release of asbestos fibres to atmosphere and provide advice and support for staff who may be inadvertently exposed to asbestos.
DESIRED OUTCOME
It is expected that this PSO will demonstrate the Service’s commitment to support staff who may be accidentally exposed to asbestos and ensure compliance with health and safety legislation to carry out health surveillance for staff exposed to asbestos.
MANDATORY ACTIONS
This PSO contains a number of mandatory actions which are highlighted in italics throughout the text. Governing Governors, Area Managers and Heads of Groups must ensure that these are complied with.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
This PSO will require some additional resources. Effective management of asbestos ensures that inadvertent exposure of staff to asbestos fibres should rarely happen. However in the event of this happening referral will be made in the first instance to staff care and welfare. In some cases referral will be required to specialist counselors. The cost of specialist counseling that may be required is difficult to quantify.
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 8 January 2004
(signed) Director: Gareth Hadley Area/Operational Manager: Paul Carroll
Further advice or information on this PSO or the systems contained within it can be sought from: Mary Guinness, Health and Safety Policy Section, Room 830 Cleland House, 020 7217 2760 PSO MANAGEMENT OF INADVERTENT EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS
Contents
1.1 Purpose of the PSO 1.2 Management of Asbestos 1.3 Procedures to be Followed in the in the Event of Inadvertent Exposure 1.4 Support for Staff who may have been Exposed to Asbestos Fibres 1.5 Further Information
Annexes
1. Pro forma for Reporting Inadvertent exposure to Asbestos 2. Asbestos – Information and Health Risks
Link to printable version of annex 1 – “Exposure of staff to asbestos – Health surveillance record form” CHAPTER 1 MANAGEMENT OF INADVERTENT EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS
1.1 Purpose of the PSO
1.1.1 The purpose of this order is to ensure that Governing Governors and Heads of Groups have systems in place to limit the effects of accidental release of asbestos fibres to atmosphere and provide advice and support for staff who may be inadvertently exposed to asbestos.
1.2 Management of Asbestos
1.2.1 The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 places a duty on employers to manage asbestos in the workplace. In the Prison Service developing policy for ensuring that asbestos is managed effectively is the responsibility of the Property Services Group and the processes for ensuring that asbestos is managed as required by these Regulations are documented in Prison Service Order 5900, ‘The Technical Order’.
1.2.2 Governors and Heads of Groups are responsible for ensuring that asbestos is managed following the procedures laid out in Technical Order 5900. This must include consulting the asbestos register and carrying out a risk assessment before remedial work is undertaken.
1.2.3 Where asbestos is properly managed as required by the regulations exposure to asbestos fibres will be effectively controlled and should not pose a risk to the health and safety of staff.
1.2.4 However, there may be times when staff are inadvertently exposed to asbestos fibres, usually in small quantities and largely when carrying out remedial work.
1.2.5 In the event of inadvertent exposure of asbestos, managers must ensure that immediate steps are taken to mitigate the effects of the event, restore the situation to normal and inform and provide support for any person who may have been affected.
1.2.6 The procedures for managing incidents of inadvertent exposure and providing help and support for staff are given below.
1.3 Procedures to be followed in the Event of Inadvertent Exposure
1.3.1 Discovery of Asbestos
1.3.1.1 If asbestos or suspected asbestos is discovered which is damaged or likely to be damaged during remedial work the member of staff must stop working in that area and report the matter to their supervisor immediately, who must ensure that the procedures for dealing with the unplanned disturbance of asbestos given below are followed.
1.3.2 Evacuation and Room Closure 1.3.2.1 The room where the incident occurred must be evacuated if: (i) Any friable (easily crumbled) asbestos material is damaged (ii) Any insulating board or asbestos cement product is damaged to the extent that visible debris is present. (iii) There is any doubt about the nature of dust or debris within the area.
1.3.2.2 Where these circumstances exist all windows and doors must be closed and any ventilation equipment or gas appliances turned off. The area should be sealed off and locked if possible to prevent access.
1.3.2.3 If it is possible that contamination has spread to adjacent areas these should also be evacuated and sealed.
1.3.2.3 Signs warning of the hazard must be posted and entry prohibited to all except authorised staff who are wearing suitable personal protective equipment.
1.3.2.4 All work involving removal of asbestos and clearance of contaminated areas must be carried out by a contractor licensed for this work by the HSE.
1.3.3 Contaminated Clothing
1.3.3.1 Staff or others who may have been exposed to the asbestos dust must not be allowed to take home clothing that might be contaminated with asbestos fibres. Clothing that is (or could possibly be) contaminated by asbestos must be removed and placed in a polythene bag which is then sealed. It may be disposed of using a licensed contractor or sent to a laundry which is equipped to handle asbestos contaminated clothing. Prison laundries will not be in a position to deal with this.
1.3.3.2 Suitable alternative clothing must be made available.
1.3.4 Contaminated Equipment
1.3.4.1 Any equipment or item that has been contaminated with asbestos must be thoroughly decontaminated by a licensed contractor if it is to be reused. If it is to be disposed it must be securely stored until disposed of by a licensed contractor.
1.3. 5 Clearing of Asbestos Debris
13.5.1 Asbestos materials should never be left loose or in a state where they can be trampled or otherwise spread.
1.3.5.2 Asbestos material or debris must only be removed by a lenienced contractor.
1.3.6 Reporting Incidents of Asbestos Exposure
1.3.6.1 Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 the inadvertent release of asbestos fibres to the atmosphere regardless of whether staff have been exposed or not must be reported to the HSE. Further advice on reporting and recording accidents is given in PSI 11/2002 Accident Reporting.
1.3.6.2 Accidental release of asbestos to the atmosphere, whether members of staff have been exposed or not, must be reported to the Construction Unit and the Health and Safety Section as soon as possible after the incident occurs. Contact numbers are given at the end of this chapter.
1.3.7 Record Keeping
1.3..7.1Records must be made of all possible exposures of staff to asbestos fibres. All such records must be maintained for 40 years and must contain at least the following information:
(i) surname, forenames, sex, date of birth, permanent address, postcode, National Insurance number; (ii) a record of any work with asbestos prior to this employment; and (iii) dates of medical examination.
1.3.7.2 A pro forma for recording exposure of staff to asbestos is given at Appendix 1.
1.3.7.3 The completed form should be retained in the employee’s personal file an a copy given to the employee.
1.4 Support for Staff who may have been Exposed to Asbestos
1.4.1 Asbestos related lung damage can take years to develop and become visible on X-rays and there may be a delay of between 15 and 60 years between first exposure to asbestos and the first symptoms of disease. X-rays cannot indicate whether or not asbestos fibres have been inhaled. Information on the diseases caused by exposure to asbestos is given at Appendix 2.
1.4.2 It will be almost impossible to ascertain the amount of asbestos that has been inhaled even if the type of asbestos is known. In many cases exposure will have been minimal, with little likelihood of any long-term ill-effects.
1.4.3 However, staff who have been exposed to asbestos will be understandably worried and anxious about their health.
1.4..4 Staff who have been exposed to asbestos must be referred to their GP or a chest clinic for advice.
1.4.5 Staff who have been exposed to asbestos must be offered a referral to Staff Care and Welfare Services (SCWS). SCWS provide a counselling and advisory service and have competent trained staff who will provide advice and support for staff who may have been exposed to asbestos and are worried about the outcome. Should further professional counselling be required, SCWS will refer the member of staff to the appropriate counsellor or agency.
1.4.6 Where specialist counselling outside the remit of SCWS is required the prison will be responsible for ensuring that funding is available. 1.4.7 Where prisoners are inadvertently exposed to asbestos they must be referred to Health Care immediately for further advice
1.5 Further Information 1.5.1 Further information on asbestos can be obtained from:
Health and Safety Section 020 7217 2760
Property Services 020 7217 5041
HSE Direct 0845 300 3124
Annex 1 HM PRISON SERVICE
EXPOSURE OF STAFF TO ASBESTOS - HEALTH SURVIELLANCE RECORD FORM
This form must be completed if a member of staff is exposed to asbestos fibres. The line manager of the employee who has been exposed is responsible for completing the form. The record form, once completed, must be retained in the personnel records of the member of staff involved. This record form must be retained for forty years. 1. DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT
Prison/HQ Building …………………………………………………Date of incident: …………………………………
Duration of exposure if known: ……………………………………………………………………………………………
Number of persons involved:………………………………………Was the presence of asbestos known: Yes/No
What work was being carried out:…………………………………… …………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Description of the Incident: ………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. DETAILS OF THE MEMBER OF STAFF
Mr/Mrs/Ms Surname:……………………………………. First Name:……………………………….Sex:..M / F
Occupation/work area…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
NI Number:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Permanent Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Dates of any medical examination……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
History of previous exposure to asbestos: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.DETAILS OF THE PERSON COMPLETING THIS FORM
Mr/Mrs/Ms Surname:………………………………………………………………………………………………….
First name ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Position:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Signature: …………………………………..……………………….…Date:…………………………………………
Annex 2
ASBESTOS – INFORMATION AND HEALTH RISKS
1. Introduction 1.1 Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre that is mined in several parts of the world e.g. in Canada, Russia and Zimbabwe. It has been used for its fire resistant properties and for strengthening cement without making it brittle1.
1.2 Asbestos comes in several forms commonly known as blue, brown and white asbestos. The former 2 are more potent than the latter. The importing of all asbestos into the UK has now been banned.
1.4 Over the last century asbestos has been built into many different products- gas masks, ironing boards, brake linings, ceiling tiles, water pipes, cement products and many more.
1.5 Workers come into contact with asbestos in several ways:
Mining Manufacturing asbestos containing products and installing them in buildings etc. Construction work including repair, maintenance and renovation work. Working in areas where asbestos has been released into the working environment through deterioration or being disturbed while work is being carried out.
2. Health Effects of Asbestos
2.1 Introduction th st 2.1.1 Asbestos is the biggest single work-related killer of the 20 and 21 centuries. Last year 5,000 people in the UK died of asbestos-related diseases. Most of these deaths were from mesothelioma. These figures are rising and by 2010 about 10,000 people in Britain will die every year from exposure to asbestos, again most from mesothelioma2.
2.1.2 Some tumours have developed in women whose only exposure to asbestos occurred when they washed their husband’s contaminated overalls.
2.2 Inhalation of asbestos fibres can result in a number of adverse health affects including:
2.2.1 Asbestosis
2.2.2.1 Asbestosis is the scarring of lungs by exposure to asbestos fibres. Asbestosis develops very slowly incapacitating the victim over a period of years. This condition is manifested clinically by increasing shortness of breath, a dry cough and weight loss. 2.2.2.2 In 50% of fatal cases of asbestosis, deaths occur as a result of the development of cancer of the bronchus.
2.2.3 Pleural Plaques
2.2.2.1 The pleura is a 2 layered membrane which surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the rib cage.
2.2.2.2 These plaques are raised areas of thickened pleura that show up on X-rays and indicate asbestos exposure. Pleura plaques are not disabling and do not necessarily develop into more serious conditions.
2.2.4.Pleura Thickening
2.2.3.1 This is a disabling disease of the lining of the lungs caused by the thickening of the lung walls. The thickening is due to scarring caused by asbestos. This condition often leads to breathlessness.
2.2.4 Mesothelioma
2.2.4.1 Mesothelioma is a form of cancer almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos dust. It affects the lining of the lungs, chest wall or abdomen. The development of the disease can take up to 30 to 40 years after first exposure to asbestos dust and is usually fatal within 18 months of diagnosis. Other tumours are linked to asbestos exposure including mesothelioma of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), cancer of the larynx and, possibly, cancer of the ovary.
2.2.5 Lung Cancer
2.2.5.1 There is a known association between lung cancer and exposure to asbestos. People who have already developed asbestosis have a greater risk of contracting lung cancer.
References
1. TUC H & S Report 10/05/02 2. TUC H & S Report 16/05/02