From RMBC website
Roger Stone, Leader
If there’s anything you want to contact me about, you can e-mail me at the Town Hall on
leader@rotherham.gov.uk
I was wrong to think that RMBC had learnt their previous lessons when it comes to Asbestos safety.
On Sunday 2nd march 2008 I contacted RMBC emergency number because the asbestos roof had blown off the empty house next door to me,
luckily it had blown on to the back garden. They responded that day and although the worker did not go on the roof he did remove the asbestos
from the garden whilst wearing the correct Personnel Protective Equipment. On the Monday morning representatives of 2010 and RMBC
attended to assess the damage. Later that day the roof was made safe but this time the workers did not wear any PPE, they should have been
wearing disposable overalls and dust masks rated for asbestos. If they have no regard for their safety then it unlikely they will have any for our
safety. The roof was boarded up using plywood on the following day.
Although their had been employees of 2010 and other RMBC staff on the street including Peter Moore from the regeneration team, they failed to
notice a large amount of asbestos further up the street which had blow off another roof. Peter carries out regular checks of the estate and had
done so that week but he had not noticed the asbestos which by now was being spread about by car drivers, pedestrians walking over it and by
school children kicking it. During a walkabout of the estate on Thursday 6th march I asked why the asbestos had not been removed and why the
roof had not been made safe, I was told it would be done immediately.
I contacted Peter Moore on Friday because it had not been removed and despite the threat of bad weather the roof had still not been repaired.
The asbestos is being allowed to spread round the street because off the incompetence of RMBC staff. What I find deplorable is that when
workers at RMBC discovered what they thought was asbestos in their building the whole building was evacuated, it appears their safety is more
important than ours.
It’s now the 14th march and the roof as still not been made safe, some of the asbestos as been removed but despite two visits from 2010 RMBC
there are still small fragments of asbestos cement on the street,. Whilst walking past I counted 30 pieces some the size of a child’s hand.
Are employees of RMBC completely incompetent or is it they just do not care?
On Friday 14th in the afternoon and 2010 RMBC arrived on site again this time they wore the correct PPE and have now managed to remove
all the asbestos debris from the foot path and road, they have still not made the roof safe.
The next stage of demolition is due to start shortly and I am left a little worried with no confidence in RMBC to manage the demolition safely.
It should not have taken 12 days to remove asbestos from the street, it should be done as an emergency and should have been removed
in less than 24 hours. The roof as now been made safe 16 days later, well done RMBC.
Just recently RMBC employed contractors to disconnect services from the houses that are due to be demolished. The contractors left piles
of rubble all around the estate which left different departments of the council bickering about who was responsible and as a consequence we
have been left with rubble on some of the gardens of empty properties. The rubble is then thrown around by the children that use the estate as a
play ground. RMBC seem incapable when it comes to managing their contractors, it makes me think that price is more important than safety and quality.
Response from Leader of the Council - Councillor Roger Stone
Rotherham Town Hall
The Crofts
Rotherham
S60 2TH
(01709) 822723
leader@rotherham.gov.uk
Mr D Hayward
By e-mail to andikay1@btinternet.com 1 April 2008
Dear Mr Hayward
Thank you for your recent email correspondence regarding your concerns about the presence of asbestos material in your neighbourhood. May I take this opportunity to thank
you for raising your concerns with me. The issues you raise have been investigated and l will set out my understanding of events.
I note your comments regarding the gale damage at 22 Newland Avenue and am pleased that you were happy with the response from 2010 Ltd Emergency Repairs Team.
However, you were concerned about the follow up works undertaken to the roof of the property, in particular the issue of personal protective equipment not being used by
operatives undertaking the work to make the roof secure. I can confirm that further work was carried out to fix plywood boards to the roof to make the property secure.
However, the follow up work did not involve disturbing or removing any asbestos (as any material had been removed from the roof earlier) and the operatives were only working
with plywood material. The operatives undertaking this work were therefore not required to wear a dust mask as part of their personal protective clothing.
I regret that not all damaged materials were identified and collected sooner and l will ensure that greater vigilance is demonstrated by staff in future. I note that further gale
damage problems were identified on the empty properties during the walkabout on 6 March 2008, when orders were placed immediately with 2010 Rotherham Ltd to rectify
the damage. The damage recorded at 45 Newland Avenue was identified on Friday 7 March and was ordered for removal on our repairs system first thing Monday morning
10 March and removed the same day. There is a need to strengthen service response arrangements for removing asbestos materials during weekend periods and l will
ensure that suitable arrangements are initiated without delay.
A new Neighbourhood Investment Team will be leading on the delivery of the Maltby programme. Barry Deakin, Programme Coordinator will shortly be assuming responsibility
for the programme from April, assisted by Jacqueline Atherton, Regeneration Officer. The two officers have been recently familiarising themselves with the programme and the
remaining issues which need to be addressed and are developing an action plan to deal with outstanding matters and plan the completion of the Maltby programme. A letter
will be issued to the residents shortly advising of the new arrangements and contact details.
May I thank you again for bringing these matters to my attention.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Roger Stone
Leader of the Council
As you will have read, the leaders version of events differs from mine is it because his employees have not been entirely honest with him or is that he cannot bring himself to
apologize for the inadequacies of his staff.
health and safety issues.
In response to my complaint about asbestos, RMBC have removed barbed wire that was in place to prevent vandals and intruders from climbing
onto the adjoining properties garage roof and gaining access to my back garden. The wire was 7 meters away from the public foot path and
behind a locked gate it helped to keep my property secure and stopped children climbing on the roof were there is a risk of serious injury from falls.
They claim it as been removed for health and safety reasons, the fact that they use it on some of their own properties seem to have been forgotten.
RMBC do not consider these to be health and safety issues.
1. For the past 12 months several manhole covers have been missing from drains, some over a meter deep and on open ground, potential to course
serious injury to children playing on open ground.
2. Insecure and vandalized properties with easy access, potential to course serious injury to any one going into properties were floor boards have
been lifted on first floor.
3. Loose asbestos sheeting just waiting for the next gust of wind to blow it of, potential to course serious injury to any one walking past on a windy day.
4. An employee of a contractor working for RMBC fell through a rotten garage roof, the roof as not been made safe, potential to course serious injury
to any one climbing onto roof.
5. Damaged guttering swinging over a pensioner’s property, potential to course injury to resident of adjoining house.
6. Damaged Harris fencing protruding on to the footpath, potential to course injury through trips to any one walking on the foot path.
7. Damaged Asbestos spread around the estate.
In comparison to the above, the Injuries sustained from barbed wire would be minor, barbed wire is not illegal and is widely used for security purposes
it is now worse than rose thorns, but the health safety and security of the residents on the estate is very low priority to RMBC. The residents have had no
apologies from RMBC just threats of eviction and compulsory purchases.
2010 can never seem to find the time to carry out repair work to occupied properties, one resident as been waiting for the guttering on her house to be
repaired for the past 8 months and another as been waiting 4 weeks to date for storm damage to be repaired, we have been waiting three months for
litter, e.g. wine bottles, beer cans, debris left by contractors to be removed, but they can find the time to make my property less secure. It would seem
that their priorities are to victimize residents instead of helping us. I will not be bullied out of my property.
Information on previous complaints about asbestos safety and the responses from the HSE
This email was sent, but only the HSE responded
Rotherham MBC continues to deceive the public about the way in which asbestos was removed and stored by a demolition contractor they employed.
On the 1st June 2007 a council spokesmen gave a false statement to the Rotherham Advertiser regarding the removal of asbestos on the Tarran estate in Maltby.
He claimed that the asbestos was removed in line with HSE requirements and that in march this year the HSE had given RMBC a report, stating that they should
not have any concern about the management of asbestos on this site. I have requested a copy of the report under the freedom of information act, but have been
informed by Stuart Purcell (RMBC) that he can not send me a copy of the report because it does not exist. David Bradley from the HSE had already informed me
that they have not sent a report to RMBC in March; he said he had not given RMBC the impression that the HSE were happy with the management of asbestos
by G FRY Demolition. Over the past 8 months the regeneration team at RMBC has continued to deny that HSE requirements for the removal of asbestos were not
followed. They continue to insist that G Fry Demolition was removed from site for not working at height correctly. I have complained on many occasions that the
asbestos skips should have been sealed, fully enclosed skips and not open top skips as used. The asbestos policy unit at the HSE and David Bradley has now
confirmed that the skips should have been fully enclosed, sealed and lockable. In the past I have wrote to the chief Executive of RMBC and the HSE. I have
followed the council complaints procedure. I have been to the surgery of Kevin Barran MP; I have taken the photographic evidence to his office that shows that the
HSE requirements for the removal of asbestos were not met. The HSE as responded positively saying that the photos do appear to show practices that the HSE
would not recommend, they have had meetings with the council and given them guidance on how asbestos should be removed. It was not accepted at my stage
three complaint in March 2007 that the regeneration manager had lied, but they did agree that G Fry had not always follow correct procedures for the removal of
asbestos. The local government ombudsman would not take action because G Fry Demolition had already been removed from the contract. Despite all what has
happened the regeneration manager still insists that the asbestos was removed following HSE requirements. I find it deplorable that he can continue to make
statements that are not true; he can not produce any reports from the HSE that support his stance. I am surprised that his superiors at RMBC are allowing him
to continue with this stance. RMBC obviously do not to want the public to know that their contractor could have exposed the residents and pedestrians on the
estate to asbestos dust, which could cause future health problems like lung cancer. I am also very disappointed in the lack of interest demonstrated by my MP.
RMBC insisted the asbestos was stored and removed from the site following HSE requirements but it was not.
This email was sent by HSE
Dear Sir,
Further to our previous correspondence on the above matter, I can now confirm the position of HSE's Asbestos Licensing Unit regarding the storage and transportation
of asbestos cement waste.
Asbestos cement should be stored on site in lockable skips and should be transported from site in enclosed/sealed skips. Open skips subsequently covered with
tarpaulins are not deemed to meet the standard for enclosed/sealed receptacles and therefore should not be used for transporting asbestos cement waste. Therefore,
skips used on site for asbestos cement waste should be fully enclosed and lockable.
I hope this clarifies the position.
The above information has also been passed on to Rotherham Council and the demolition contractor at the above site.
Yours faithfully
D Bradley
HM Inspector of Health and Safety
Contact HSE Info line on 0845 345 0055 or Email on
hse.infoline@natbrit.com
This email was sent by HSE
For the attention of Mr D Hayward
Thankyou for sending through the CD and letter.
I have had chance to study the photographs on the CD with Mr Redman and acknowledge that some of these show practices that the HSE would not recommend.
For this reason we are inviting representatives of Rotherham Council and G Fry Demolition into our offices to discuss the content of the photographs and their working
practices on future phases of this job and work on other sites.
We propose discussing the following issues;
- safe removal of asbestos materials
- limiting the spread of asbestos materials and the correct use of PPE
- safe work at height
- site security
May I thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Yours faithfully
D Bradley
HM Inspector of Health and Safety
David.Bradley@hse.gsi.gov.uk To:
andikay1@btinternet.comcc:
25/01/2007 Subject: RE: Demolition at Newland Ave, Maltby
14:44
Asbestos fibres are present everywhere in the environment in Great Britain so everyone is constantly exposed to very low levels of fibres. However, a key factor in the risk
of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in. So there is a possibility that being exposed to asbestos fibres for a short period of time
can cause cancer. Working on or near damaged asbestos containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds of times that of
environmental levels, could increase your chances of getting an asbestos related disease. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases which are
responsible for around 4000 deaths a year. There are three main diseases caused by asbestos: lung cancer, asbestosis (which are almost always fatal), and mesothelioma
(which is always fatal). Remember, these diseases will not affect you immediately but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect yourself now to prevent you
contracting an asbestos related disease in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater
risk of developing lung cancer.
Asbestos has been recognised as an important risk factor for lung cancer for many years. However, although lung cancer death statistics for Great Britain are readily available,
the number of deaths attributable to asbestos cannot be determined directly. This is because there are a number of agents that can cause the disease - most importantly,
tobacco smoke - and lung cancers resulting from asbestos exposure are clinically indistinguishable from those caused by these other agents.
Why is it a problem?
Although asbestos is a hazardous material it can only pose a risk to health if the asbestos fibres become airborne and are then inhaled. Therefore, most asbestos materials
pose little risk unless they are disturbed in some way that allows the fibres to be released into the atmosphere. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to serious diseases
such as lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the linings of the lungs – the pleura or lower digestive tract – the peritoneum) and asbestosis (a chronic fibrosis of the lungs).
Many cases of these diseases occurring now are a result of exposure in industries that used asbestos extensively in the past. However, the fact that asbestos was also
installed in many buildings means that a wider range of people still have the potential to be exposed – particularly building and maintenance workers. For this reason the latest
revision of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations introduced (from May 2004) a new duty on those responsible for non-domestic premises to manage the asbestos
contained in them.
HSE Press Release E010:02 - 5 February 2002
HSE confirms white asbestos remains a threat HSE has today confirmed that white asbestos (chrysotile) is a major health hazard. Found in asbestos cement.
All asbestos can cause cancer and the vast bulk of scientific evidence in the UK and abroad regards the risk from white asbestos as proven. There is evidence that the risks
from this substance are less than more potent carcinogens such as blue and brown asbestos, known as crocidolite and amosite. But it still carries a risk and for that reason
white asbestos will be included in the new rules due to come into force later this year. These require those responsible for commercial buildings to manage any asbestos in
the premises. HSE estimates that up to 4,000 lives could be lost over future years unless steps are taken now to manage the risks from the asbestos present in commercial
buildings. Not only would any exemption given to white asbestos would be unjustifiable scientifically, it would also make the challenging task of assessing and managing the
risks from asbestos almost impossible. Many building products contain a mixture of the three different types of asbestos. For this reason the existing regulations for asbestos
in the workplace require that where the type of fibre cannot be identified, it must be assumed that the more hazardous forms of asbestos are present. Further advice on
asbestos in buildings is contained in the free HSE leaflet 'Managing Asbestos in Premises'. Asbestos cement was used because of its high tensile strength and waterproof
qualities. In normal circumstances, an asbestos cement roof should last many years and present no risk to health of people working in the building. The risks of asbestos
contamination from an asbestos cement roof, asbestos cement down pipes or asbestos cement fascias are relatively low, but immediate remedial action should be taken
in the event that a panel or pipe become damaged, as this can lead to asbestos fibre release. Asbestos fibre release is a serious risk to health. Under current health and
safety regulations, a business owner can be fined or even jailed if asbestos is released into the work environment.
Ref: MACM-6VTMGL
Dear Mr Hayward
Thank you for your enquiry regarding asbestos cement.
There are two main pieces of legislation that would need to be considered when carrying out work with asbestos cement:
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. These regulations set down requirements for the protection of persons being exposed to asbestos, along with the licensing
requirements to work with asbestos.
The Special Waste Regulations 1996. These regulations require the waste to be consigned to a site which is authorised to accept asbestos waste.
When removing asbestos, whether a license is required or not, you would need to follow the requirements of the Control of Asbestos Regulations2006.
These regulations apply to all work with asbestos, including asbestos cement.
Essentially these require the following:
Reg. 4 - Duty to Manage Asbestos in non-domestic premises
Reg. 5 - Requires Identification of the type of asbestos
Reg. 6 - Assessment of Work which Exposes Employee to Asbestos: If work which is liable to expose employees to asbestos is unavoidable, employers must carry out an
adequate assessment of the risk created by that exposure to employees and others who may be affected by the work and the steps which need to be taken to meet the
requirements of theses Regulations.
Reg. 7 - Plans of Work: For any work involving asbestos, including maintenance work that may disturb it, a written plan of action must be drawn up before work starts.
Employers must make sure their employee follow the plan of work as far as it is reasonably practicable to do so.
Reg. 8 - Licensing of work with asbestos (as discussed above)
Reg. 9 - Notification of Work with Asbestos
Reg. 10 - Information, Instruction and Training
Reg. 11 - Prevention or Reduction of Exposure to Asbestos.
Reg. 12 - Use of Control measures etc
Reg. 13 - Maintenance of Control Measures etc
Reg. 14 - Provision and Cleaning of Protective Clothing: As part of the
assessment required by regulation 6, the employer must decide whether or
not protective clothing is required for work with asbestos.
Reg. 15 - Arrangements to deal with Accidents, Incidents and Emergencies: Employers should have emergency procedures in place for and accident, incident or emergency
relating to asbestos eg loss of containment for manufacturing processes or accidental disturbance of asbestos containing material for building work, unless the amount of
asbestos in the premises is so small that any risk would be minimal.
Reg. 16 - Duty to Prevent of Reduce the Spread of Asbestos: Any plant or equipment which has been contaminated with asbestos should be thoroughly decontaminated before
it is moved for use in other premises of for disposal. Asbestos material should never be left loose or in a state where they can be trampled, racked over by plant and machinery or otherwise spread.
Reg. 17 - Cleanliness of Premises and Plant: Employers should make sure that their employees clean up asbestos debris and dust as they work, rather than let it accumulate.
Reg. 18 - Designated Areas: Designated asbestos areas should be marked out to prevent or reduce exposure and the spread of contamination, by making sure that workers do
not enter areas where they may be unknowingly exposed to significant concentrations of asbestos.
Reg. 19 - Air Monitoring
Reg. 20 - Standards for Air Testing and Site Clearance Certification
Reg. 21 - Standards for Analysis
Reg. 22 - Health record and Medical Surveillance
Reg. 23 - Washing and Changing Facilities
Reg. 24 - Storage, Distribution and Labelling of Raw Asbestos and Asbestos waste
The following information is a task sheet from the HSE publication 'Asbestos Essentials - Task Manual' and gives some practical advice on removal of asbestos cement.
Below is a copy of Sheet A14, Removal of asbestos cement sheets, gutters etc, which describes how the work should be carried out, what equipment to use and how to use it.
Equipment
* 500 and 1000 gauge polythene sheeting and duct tape.
* Warning tape and notices.
* Bolt cutters.
* Bucket of water, garden type spray and rags.
* Suitable asbestos waste container, eg a labelled polythene sack.
* Lockable skip for larger quantities of asbestos cement.
* Asbestos warning stickers.
* Appropriate lighting.
This task guidance sheet can be used where asbestos cement sheets, gutters, drains and ridge caps etc need to be removed. For the large scale removal of asbestos cement
eg demolition, read WORKING WITH ASBESTOS CEMENT HSG 189/2 HSE Books 1999 ISBN 0 7176 1667 3.
It is not appropriate for the removal of asbestos insulating board.
ONLY CARRY OUT THIS WORK IF YOU ARE PROPERLY TRAINED. SEE EM2 ? Training (below).
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
* Disposable overalls fitted with a hood.
* Waterproof clothing may be required outside.
* Boots without laces (laced boots can be difficult to decontaminate).
* Disposable particulate respirator (FF P3).
Preparing the work area
This work may be carried out at height, if so, the appropriate precautions to prevent the risk of falls MUST be taken.
* Carry out the work with the minimum number of people present.
* Restrict access, eg close the door and/or use warning tape and notices.
* Use 500 gauge polythene sheeting, secured with duct tape, to cover any
surface within the segregated area which could become contaminated.
* It is dangerous to seal over exhaust vents from heating units in use.
* Ensure adequate lighting.
Removal
* Avoid breaking the asbestos cement products.
* If the sheets are held in place with fasteners, dampen and remove - take care not to create a risk of slips.
* If the sheets are bolted in place, use bolt cutters avoiding contact with the asbestos cement. Remove bolts carefully.
* Unbolt or use bolt cutters to release gutters, drain pipes and ridge caps, avoiding contact with the asbestos cement.
* Lower the asbestos cement to the ground. Do not use rubble chutes.
* Check for debris in fasteners or bolt holes. Clean with wet rags.
* Single asbestos cement products can be double wrapped in 1000 gauge polythene sheeting (or placed in waste containers if small enough).
Attach asbestos warning stickers.
* Where there are several asbestos cement sheets and other large items, place in a lockable skip.
Cleaning
* Use wet rags to clean the equipment.
* Use wet rags to clean segregated area.
* Place debris, used rags, polythene sheeting and other waste in the waste container.
Personal decontamination
* Use EM8 - Personal decontamination (see below).
Clearance procedure
* Visually inspect the area to make sure that it has been properly cleaned.
* Clearance air sampling is not normally required.
EM2 Training - EQUIPMENT AND METHOD GUIDANCE SHEET
Description
It is important that people carrying out ANY work on asbestos materials are properly trained and supervised. If you do not have the right training and/or the job is not
adequately supervised there is a strong possibility that the work will not be carried out properly. This can result in you and others being exposed to asbestos fibres.
You need this training even if you have worked with asbestos in the past. You may have forgotten parts of any training you received; the training may not have been
adequate; there may be new work methods available. If you are self-employed you will need to obtain this training yourself. If you are an employee, your employer
should arrange for you to be trained.
Training
This is a requirement of regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations and should include, in the necessary detail, the following topics:
* The effects asbestos can have on your health, including the added danger
of smoking.
* The presence of other hazards such as work at heights etc.
* The uses and locations of asbestos materials in buildings and plant.
* The type of work you are allowed to do by law.
* What the Asbestos Regulations require you to do.
* Work methods and equipment you need to use to do the task properly.
* The correct choice, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.
* Decontamination procedures.
* Maintenance of control measures.
* Emergency procedures.
* Waste disposal.
Supervision
The task should be supervised to make sure it is carried out properly.
EM8 Personal decontamination - EQUIPMENT AND METHOD GUIDANCE SHEET
Description
This guidance sheet explains how you should decontaminate yourself after
working with asbestos materials.
If you do not decontaminate yourself properly you may take asbestos fibres
home on your clothing. You or your family and friends could be exposed to
them if they were disturbed and became airborne.
It is important that you follow the procedures given in the task guidance
sheets and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as overalls
correctly, this will make cleaning easier.
Removing and decontaminating PPE
* Remove your respirator last.
* Clean your boots with wet rags.
* Where available, use a Type H vacuum cleaner to clean your overalls.
* Otherwise use a wet rag - use a 'patting' action - rubbing can disturb
fibres.
* Where two or more workers are involved they can help each other by
'buddy' cleaning.
* Remove overalls by turning inside out - place in suitable asbestos waste
container.
* Use wet rags to clean waterproof clothing.
* Disposable respirators can then be removed and placed in a suitable
asbestos waste container.
Personal decontamination
* Site washing facilities can be used but restrict access during asbestos
work.
* Wash each time you leave the work area.
* Use wet rags to clean washing facilities at the end of the job.
* Clean facilities daily if the job lasts more than one day.
* Visually inspect the facilities once the job is finished.
* Clearance air sampling is not normally required.