Hot Conditions During Work with Asbestos

The recent hot summer weather conditions have implications for asbestos work within enclosures and other confined spaces. This can include set-up as well as actual asbestos removal work.

Contractors are reminded that asbestos working in hot conditions will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and this will include hot conditions arising from increased ambient temperatures. The work should be planned to avoid the need for working in hot conditions and, where it is unavoidable, the circumstances must be clearly justified.

Risk assessments should include consideration of the risks from working in hot conditions caused by weather conditions. Assessments and plans should consider actual site conditions and may need to be changed (if already notified) or be planned with a ‘warm weather’ contingency.

Plans of work should include additional measures to reduce the likelihood of hot conditions occurring and to mitigate the effects from increased temperatures. This will include, where necessary:

• Changing the design and construction of the enclosures – increasing size and ventilation rates e.g. it may be necessary to increase ventilation rates into roof spaces in warm weather as they can be extremely hot environments;
• Providing air conditioning to cool the work area or enclosure prior to or during construction of enclosures or during asbestos removal work – contractors should consult air conditioning specialists to design a suitable system that will provide sufficient cooling and at the same time prevent spread of contamination, retain the integrity of the enclosure, and keep the area under negative pressure. Design and installation of such systems will need great care and specialist expertise.
• Restricting when the work is to be carried out e.g. when ambient temperatures are lower or at night when it is cooler;
• Increasing the checks where wetting techniques are used to reduce fibre release e.g. increased checks on the level of saturation and for drying out;
• Revising timescales for the work to allow extra time for setting up and to carry out the work – this may mean taking longer to do the work and/or revising number of operatives required;
• Reducing the amount of time that individual operatives work - provide longer and more frequent breaks to allow time to cool down and rehydrate outside the work area – provide a plentiful supply of drinking water.

Further guidance on asbestos working in hot conditions is contained in ''Asbestos: The Licensed Contractors Guide'' (Section 7.72 to 7.80).

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg247.htm