Asbestos

Where is the asbestos?

The site contains 8 buildings; all except the garage are built to the CLASP methodology. The Mott, Rutherford, Link and Bragg buildings were constructed in the 1970s and it is probable that they are Mark 4B CLASP buildings.

The buildings that contain asbestos materials within the fabric of the building are:

• Rutherford
• Link (known as Workshop building by EMBS)
• Bragg
• Mott
• Garage

Those that do not contain asbestos materials in the fabric of the building (built in 1990 or later) are:

• Microelectronics/Hitachi
• Kapitza (formerly known as IRC in Superconductivity)
• Physics of Medicine

Estate Management commissioned a type 2 survey in 2002, and a follow-up survey was conducted in 2006. It is recognized that a type 2 survey is limited in that some materials are presumed to be asbestos, where they may not be, since invasive exhaustive testing is not done. Also there remains the possibility that asbestos that is hidden from view is not identified in such a survey, since a type 2 survey does not normally involve dismantling parts of the building. Maintenance personnel and contractors therefore remain at risk from such materials.

The results of the survey are in a series of descriptive files and drawings. A copy of these is lodged at S:\Asbestos\asbestos_survey_data and is accessible using the ARMS software, a copy of which is currently on the computers of the following people:

• Laboratory Superintendent, Peter Bystricky
• Maintenance Manager, Keith Matthews
• Safety Officer, Jane Blunt

The typical locations of asbestos-containing materials include:

• The cladding around the steel columns
• Panels above windows and doors
• Panels lining the stairwells
• Battens on the perimeter of suspended ceilings
• Window sills
• An interior layer within the fire doors.

Most of these materials have been labeled with a discreet white label bearing a sample number and a date. Some typical samples are shown in the photographs.

The visible asbestos-containing boarding has all been encapsulated or sealed. The condition of these materials is generally good, having been re-inspected and remedial work done in early 2007. While these materials remain in good condition the risk to people entering and/or working in the department is low.

The pillars remain an area of concern since if they are struck or disturbed by, for instance, slammed doors, in some buildings asbestos fibres have been released. During remediation works in January 2007, air monitoring was carried out by Redhill Analysts, some of it close to pillars. Their report created 23/1/07 indicates that no elevated fibre counts were reported. They also report that:

'In conclusion, it is my opinion that the presence of these AIB panels is not currently causing elevated airborne fibre readings within the buildings. They are fully encapsulated at occupied levels and although exposed within the ceiling voids, see above (photo included in the report), those inspected are painted and in good condition. Metal clad columns at occupied levels appeared to be undamaged and had not been used as a fixing point'.

Further inspection has revealed a number of steel columns in the Pippard Lecture theatre area where the asbestos cladding above the ceiling void is in poor condition, but the rest are in good condition even where they are exposed. Future plans include further encapsulation and sealing of these materials.

Columns that are vulnerable to damage include those supporting the bridge across the goods-in area. These have been given additional protection with angle-aluminium and pillars to reduce the likelihood of damage by vehicles.

Ceiling Voids

During the latter part of 2011 a discovery was made of some asbestos contamination above the ceiling tiles. The current position is that the extent is unknown and further investigations are taking place. Pending the results, ceiling tiles must not be lifted for any purpose.

Where works are necessary, an assessment of any possible contamination must be made prior to any work, by a qualified Asbestos Contractor, and any remedial action carried out prior to work. This must be arranged through the Laboratory Superintendent.

When would it be dangerous?

Asbestos is the cause of mesothelioma and lung cancers. For this to occur the fibres must be inhaled and therefore, provided the material does not become airborne, it does not pose a significant risk. For those who are interested, there is a lot more information on the HSE website at this location.

Virtually all the asbestos materials that are visible are covered with paint, which encapsulates the material and prevents the release of fibre. Keeping this paint in good condition is therefore a priority. Please do not stick posters to them using blu-tack, sticky tape or by other means. Please avoid hitting the materials with tables, chairs, gas bottles, trolleys etc. If you do accidentally do this, please see the emergency procedures below.

Department Policy

The department has a strict rule that asbestos-containing materials are not to be disturbed, worked on or damaged.

All proposed building work must be notified to the Laboratory Superintendent. Any minor work inside office spaces or laboratories which involve drilling, screwing things to walls or panels must be notified to the Maintenance team, to confirm that the material is not asbestos.

Where refurbishment works are carried out, a licensed contractor is called in to remove the asbestos materials with the exception of the cladding around the steel columns. Clearance certificates are obtained and stored by the Safety Officer. Estate Management is notified in advance.

An asbestos awareness training course has been run for Maintenance staff, using the syllabus in CAW2006. Many of the Department's regular contractors also attended. The training course presentation, attendance records and handouts are stored in the Department training records kept by the Safety Officer.

Means of Notifying People of their Responsibilities

Emergency Procedures

Members of the Department and Contractors must report the following to the Laboratory Superintendent or the Safety Officer immediately

• any discovery of material that might contain asbestos, other than the obvious materials shown in the handout. This could include things such as mats which have been stored in drawers, gaskets on furnaces.
• any damage to asbestos-containing materials. This could include events such as a collision between a trolley and an asbestos panel.

If asbestos is damaged, or asbestos is discovered which is unexpected during the cours of a project, the area must be cordoned off and sealed to prevent people from gaining entry, pending further investigation.

The actions to follow this up will be to assess the situation and plan remedial works. It will include informing the asbestos team at Estate Management, and may also require making a report under RIDDOR and liaising with Occupational Health.

Reference

CAW2006, Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, SI 2379

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/2739/contents/made

Appendix A: Handout for Contractors

Appendix B: Safety Flash Informing Department Members

See Safety Flash #19. Click here.

Appendix C

Fri 25/11/2011 09:52

Important Message from the Head of Department : Physics - Infrastructure issue

To: all members of the Laboratory

Colleagues will be aware that EMBS have started a major project to replace the cooling water system in the Laboratory, starting in the Rutherford building. In the course of this work, a small amount of debris containing asbestos was found in the void above a ceiling. This is not connected with any previous work in the building, but as you will be aware, the Mott, Bragg, Link and Rutherford buildings were constructed at a time when asbestos was a commonly used building material. (The other buildings are later and are free of asbestos).

Mott, Bragg, Link and Rutherford Buildings only.

As a precautionary measure, EMBS are undertaking further inspections of the ceiling voids, especially focused on the corridors. This may involve closing parts of the buildings at times. We will give as much notice as possible and do all we can to minimise disruption to normal business and operations. Tests have already been carried out on the air quality below the ceilings and the results have been within the expected safe ranges. Until we get more details from the surveys, however, no-one on any account must work in the ceiling voids or disturb the ceiling tiles unless authorised by the Safety Officer or Laboratory Superintendent.

We will update everyone as more information becomes available.

===========================================

Professor James Stirling CBE FRS
Head of Department
Department of Physics
University of Cambridge
Cavendish Laboratory
J J Thomson Avenue
Cambridge CB3 0HE

Tel: +44 (0)1223 337429
Fax: +44 (0)1223 760520
Email: headsec@phy.cam.ac.uk

This page was last updated on 6 December 2011

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