Is Exposure to Asbestos Reportable Under the RIDDOR 2013 Regulations?

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) state that employers, self-employed individuals, and those in control of work premises (“the responsible person”) are obliged to report specific kinds of serious workplace accidents as well as specific dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases. Find out more about RIDDOR in this article.

When do I need to report exposure to meet RIDDOR 2013 regulations?

If a work activity causes the accidental release of asbestos fibres into the atmosphere, and the quantity of the fibres is likely to have an impact on physical health, this exposure is reportable under RIDDOR 2013 regulations. Asbestos release can occur when work is carried out when suitable controls are not in place, or if they fail. It’s essential to report any asbestos reportable incident.

 

When might asbestos be released into the air?

Asbestos can be released into the air when power tools are used to cut or drill asbestos-containing materials or ACMs. The fibres may also be released when activities such as knocking, breaking, and smashing of an ACM occurs. This is why ACMs should only ever be handled by licenced contractors to avoid an asbestos reportable incident. Manual cutting and drilling can also cause asbestos fibres to be released into the air.

What else can cause asbestos to be released?

The breaking and smashing of asbestos cement can also cause the fibres to be disturbed. If activities are carried out without suitable controls in place, or if the controls fail and therefore do not prevent exposure, the situation is deemed to be a ‘dangerous occurrence’ under RIDDOR 2013 regulations and needs to be reported. If a dangerous occurrence does occur, it’s important to reconsider your working practices and your asbestos management plan.

Who can carry out asbestos surveys and removal?

At Safeline Environmental, we are here to help if you do need help with asbestos surveys, removal, and management. We have been a leading player in our field for many years, and we can deal with all kinds of asbestos containing materials or ACMs. We can help you whether you’re a home or business owner wishing to find out whether asbestos is present on your premises. Safeline offers a nationwide service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our client network consists of small domestic clients, public sector bodies and large multinational enterprises seeking to comply with RIDDOR.

Why choose Safeline when you need help with asbestos and RIDDOR?

Having been in the asbestos surveying, management and removal business since 2006, we can be counted on to deliver a flawless service and keep you compliant with RIDDOR 2013 regulations. Our company was founded by asbestos analysts Chris and Matt, who decided to launch the kind of business they would be happy to work for were they still analysts themselves. One of the many things that make us different is that we put the customer at the front and centre of everything we do.

What else makes us different from our competitors?

All of our staff are directly employed by us. Each member of our asbestos management and removal team is fully trained from scratch to ensure they’re delivering the best service that they possibly can. Our staff are fully uniformed, and our vans are liveried. As all of our paperwork is present on our tablets, we can immediately provide you with key information on our licences, training, and equipment. We can upload your reports to your very own customer portal once work is complete or send them over by email. We can help you comply with all RIDDOR 2013 regulations.

Contact us to discuss RIDDOR

Now is the perfect time to get in touch if you do to find out more about asbestos and RIDDOR. You can reach us today by giving us a call on 01299 251083 or by sending a message to info@safeline-env.co.uk. Alternatively, use the site to get in touch.

 

Image Credits: The Bee Bes Knees and Jan Mallander