ASBESTOS (and MMF)

HHSRS VERSION 2

SEPTEMBER 2004

Vulnerable group

Related hazards

All persons

Fire

HHSRS VERSION 2

Multiple locations

Yes

No

Secondary hazards

Yes

No

Front elevation

Close up of break showing original fixing

1920-45 top floor 2 bedroomed Flat

Damaged asbestos sheet around lock .

DESCRIPTION OF HAZARDS

Dwelling:

Background: This is a four storey, 'walk-up' block of mansion flats built in the 1930s. The mainly two

bedroomed flats on the top floor of the block were upgraded for fire proofing in the early 1960s.

Doors: As part of the upgrading, the wooden front doors to each flat were lined internally with 8mm

'chrysotile' (white) asbestos cement sheet. In the flat under consideration, some of the sheeting has

broken away around the point where it has been shaped to accommodate the door locks. This has

resulted in some fraying and the exposure of the asbestos fibres. Above and below the locks, a

cover strip running around the sides of the door, designed to protect the edge of the asbestos

sheeting, is also missing.

LIST OF RELEVANT MATTERS

LIKELIHOOD & OUTCOMES

A

# Secondary hazards

A

a

Date of construction

x

-

None

b

Presence of asbestos

3

c

Unsealed asbestos

3

d

Unlabelled asbestos

3

Key

3

Seriously defective

e

Disrepair - damage

3

2

Defective

f

Presence of MMF

-

1

Not satisfactory

-

Satisfactory/NA

x Applicable

1

Improved

A B C D E F G H

I

19.0

0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38

Av: 1.0

1.0

0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38

Av: 0.0

0.0

0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38

Av: 80.0

43.6

0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38

38

Average likelihood, outcomes and HHSRS score for risk from asbestos for all persons in

1920-45 dwellings, 1997-99.

2

Score

HHSRS VERSION 2

SEPTEMBER 2004

HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SYSTEM SCORES

1920-45 purpose-built Flat

1 in

56

LIKELIHOOD

Low

High

Average: 6,600k

Example

56

4200 2400 1300 750 420 240 130

75

42

24

13

7.5

4

2.5

1.5

Justification

OUTCOMES

Class I

Class II

Class III

Class IV

Justification

RATING

The damage to the asbestos sheet and the consequent exposure of fibres and its

position in the small hall at the only entrance to the particular flat, means that the

likelihood of a hazardous occurence is significantly increased. This is particularly so if

the psychological effects caused by the fear of having asbestos in the home is included

in the assessment. Currently, the amount of frayed material is limited but, due to its

vulnerable location, the amount of damage and flaking of material is likely to increase

over the next 12 months.

%

Average: 19.0

21.5

1.0

0.0

77.5

The spread of possible health outcomes resulting from inhaling asbestos fibres is likely

to remain the same regardless of the increased likelihood of such an event occurring.

Average: <1

I

J

Example

A B C D E F G H

3870

Score

RATING SCORES AFTER IMPROVEMENT

IMPROVE

Justification

NEW RATING

Av: Nos

Likelihood to

1 in 5,600

Outcomes to

21.5 1.0

0.0 77.5 %

The asbestos sheets have been damaged too badly to be sealed and their careful

removal, under controlled conditions, is required to eliminate the health and safety risk.

Once cleansed of any residual fibres resulting from the removal, the likelihood would

reduce to that for the minimum exposure background level. For fire safety, the front door

to the flat also needs to be replaced with a modern fire doors satisfying current

regulations.

Av: <1

J