ASBESTOS SURVEY & RISK ASSESSMENT
23 JANUARY, 2014Michael Ong Principal Consultant
ESIS ACADEMY
• Conducting Asbestos Survey in Buildings in Asia Pacific
Region
• Photographs showcasing internal and external of
buildings inspected for asbestos survey
• Main Types of Asbestos fibers and possible locations
and materials
• Hazard identification, risk evaluation and risk control
AG
EN
DA
Copyright © ESIS Academy 2014
• Hazard identification, risk evaluation and risk control
measures based on Code of Practice Risk Assessment
Matrix
• Invitation to participate in “WSQ Survey Asbestos and
other fibers at the Workplace” and “WSQ Remove
Asbestos in Workplace”
AG
EN
DA
ASBESTOS SURVEY – Manage Asbestos Hazards
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IDENTIFYING ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS
NonNonNonNon----friablefriablefriablefriable FriableFriableFriableFriable
ConcreteConcreteConcreteConcrete Acoustical ceilings
StuccoStuccoStuccoStucco Pipe Insulation
• Surfacing Materials
• Insulating materials
• Building materials
Electrical installations
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RoofingRoofingRoofingRoofing Fire doors
Floor TileFloor TileFloor TileFloor Tile Fireproofing
Transite PipeTransite PipeTransite PipeTransite Pipe Linoleum backing
Texture coatings
• Electrical installations
• Fire retardant / proofing
• Plaster materials
• Manufactured products
ASBESTOS AND FIBERS – 3 Main Types
Characteristics Chrysotile Amosite Crocidolite
SynonymsWhite asbestos; serpentine
asbestos
Brown asbestos;
mysoriteBlue asbestos
Chemical Formula Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 [Fe7Si8O22(OH)2]n[Na2(Fe,Mg)5
Si8O22(OH)2]n
CAS Registry 12001-29-5 12172-73-5 12001-28-4
Flexibility Good Fair Good
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Flexibility Good Fair Good
Melting Point 800 – 850 oC 600 – 900 oC 800 oC
SolubilityInsoluble Insoluble Insoluble
Water
Solubility56 12 3.14
Acids
Solubility1.03 6.82 1.2
Bases
Specific Gravity 2.55 3.43 3.37
COMPETENT PERSON FOR ASBESTOS SURVEY
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TYPES OF ASBESTOS SURVEY
Type of InformationType of Survey
Management Refurbishment /demolition
Types of asbestos product � �
Type asbestos � �
Location of the material � �
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Quantity of the material(s) � �
Accessibility of the material(s) �
Vulnerability of the material(s) �
Amount of damage or
deterioration�
Surface treatment �
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION IN ASBESTOS SURVEY
Release of asbestos
ChemicalsErgonomic
risks
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Asbestos affecting people
Physical hazards
Falling from
height
Confined space
risks
RISK EVALUATION IN ASBESTOS SURVEY
� Risk Assessment shall be
conducted before any new
asbestos survey work commences.
� Use the Risk Matrices
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� Use the Risk Matrices
recommended by COP on WSH
Risk Management.
RISK CONTROLS IN ASBESTOS SURVEY
Type of control Example
Most effective Elimination Avoid intrusive sampling or work method that may disturb the material causing the
release and spread of ACM
Substitution Use work methods that will cause less disturbance to the ACM
Engineering Control Use of local exhaust ventilation, dust extraction system, or suitable types of dust
control equipment.
•Use wet method and dust suppression tools.
•Use of tools with dust extraction systems
•Build enclosure or screen (eg., polyethylene sheet) to prevent spread of dusts to
other areas.
•Use of vacuum cleaning device with a High Efficient Particulate air (HEPA) filter to
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•Use of vacuum cleaning device with a High Efficient Particulate air (HEPA) filter to
keep area clean and prevent dust accumulation.
•Use impermeable bag or sealable container to contain waste materials.
Administrative Control • Establish safe working procedures (SWP) that include steps to be taken during
sampling or handling of ACM, waste removal as well as emergency situations.
• Maintain good personal hygiene standard and housekeeping.
• Segregate survey area with barrier and restrict entry to only authorised persons.
• Post warning signs at the entrance to the survey area.
• Train persons at work
• Conduct survey in team(s) of two persons, so that members can help each other
with carrying equipment (e.g. ladder), labelling of sample and documentation
etc; and also at remote or dangerous locations.
Least Effective Use of Personal
Protective Equipment
(PPE)
Use of PPE such as respiratory protector, eyes protector, disposable coveralls, safety
gloves, safety shoes etc. to protect against inhalation and contact with asbestos.
ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the roof tops
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the roofing structure
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the equipment
installations on external of buildings
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the area above the
ceiling
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the internal areas of
building
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the equipment and
machines
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the facility
engineering equipment
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the work rooms
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the construction site
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the piping
installations
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the wall structure
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the floor structure
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the enclosed spaces
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ASBESTOS SURVEY – Inspecting the external of
buildings
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COMPETENCY IN ASBESTOS SURVEY AND REMOVAL
� Attend the asbestos surveyor and removal training courses.
� Pass both the assessment plans.
� Register with MOM as a Competent Person in asbestos
survey and removal.
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� Gaining experiences in asbestos survey and removal in
multiple industries.
SURVEY ASBESTOS AND OTHER FIBERS RISKS AT THE
WORKPLACE
� Conducted by Michael Ong, Principal
Consultant, ESIS Academy Pte Ltd.
Copyright © ESIS Academy 2014
REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS AT WORKPLACE
� Conducted by Marc Zimpelmann,
VP, ESIS Academy Pte Ltd.
Copyright © ESIS Academy 2014
• Conducting Asbestos Survey in Buildings in Asia Pacific
Region
• Photographs showcasing internal and external of
buildings inspected for asbestos
• Main Types of Asbestos fibers and possible locations
and materials
• Hazard identification, risk evaluation and risk control
RE
CA
P
Copyright © ESIS Academy 2014
• Hazard identification, risk evaluation and risk control
measures based on Code of Practice Risk Assessment
Matrix
• Invitation to participate in “WSQ Survey Asbestos and
other fibers at the Workplace” and “WSQ Remove
Asbestos in Workplace”
RE
CA
P