Controlled techniques for asbestos removal

CITB has developed this standard in discussion with industry

Duration

Minimum half day of 3 learning hours

Purpose/Scope

The purpose of training delivered against this standard is to provide candidates with the training content specified by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for operatives doing licensed work with asbestos.

The scope of this standard covers:

• the operations which could result in asbestos exposure and the importance of preventive controls to minimise exposure
• the control limit, assessment of exposure and the purpose and importance of air monitoring to check compliance with the limit, including the purpose of personal sampling
• safe work practices, control measures, and protective equipment, including an explanation of how the correct use of control measures, protective equipment and work methods can reduce the risks from asbestos, limit exposure to workers and limit the spread of asbestos fibres outside the work area
• the importance of following the procedures, controls and preventative measures set out in the plan of work and risk assessment
• controlled removal techniques and how they work, including types of wet surfactant, injection of sprayed asbestos and lagging, spray wetting of AIB and asbestos cement, the wrap-and-cut technique, and (if relevant) the use of glove bags
• waste handling procedures including bagging, storage and disposal;
• site clean-up and clearance procedures, including the certificate of reoccupation arrangements
• the results of any air monitoring, carried out with an explanation of the findings
• the purpose of control stripping techniques
• the different techniques:-
• multi point injection
• shadow vac
• wrap and cut
• glove bags
• handling techniques
• plant and equipment including specifications
• surfactants and wetting agents including dilution ratios
• needle placements and pressure
• clean down after asbestos removal
• bagging the waste

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational groups:

• Operative

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard.

Instruction/Supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• a train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate e.g. NVQ Level 3 award in learning and development or higher
• at least 5 years relevant industrial experience
• a verifiable CV

Delivery

Delivery in an off the job environment.

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes, and must comply with relevant legislation.

The following practical equipment must be available during the training course:

• personal protective equipment (PPE) -  (coveralls, disposable underwear, transit shoes)
• respiratory protective equipment (RPE) - (full-face and ori-nasal RPE kits)
• equipment for controlled removal techniques (installed simulated lagged pipe, installed simulated AIB ceiling tiles / panels (horizontal and vertical), type-‘H’ vacuum cleaner, safe access equipment, waste bags, multi-needle wet strip injection machine)

The candidate/instructor ratio must not be more than 6:1 to allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• a mixture of classroom and demonstration and practice

The following elements of training must be delivered using demonstration and practice utilising the practical equipment detailed above:

• use of PPE and RPE
• controlled removal techniques, including the use of multiple and single needle injection systems, glovebags and wrap-and-cut techniques
• waste removal procedures on-site, including double bagging and removal through the bag lock

This standard is considered to contain 51 per cent or more practical learning.

This standard is considered to be set at an intermediate level.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, candidates must complete an end of course practical assessment and knowledge test that measures the learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard. 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the Training Standard. 

Approved training organisations will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal/refresher

Renewal/refreshment may be required as the result of an employer TNA and should be delivered under the asbestos licenced operative refresher training standard.

Approval date

April 2019

Review cycle

Either on request or in 3 year(s) from approval date.

Learning outcomes

The candidate will be able to:

• Select the required quantity and quality of resources for the methods of work to install and remove licensed asbestos enclosure or containment areas and to remove licensed asbestos.
• Outline the purpose of the risk assessment and plan of work
• State the activities which could result in asbestos exposure and the importance of controls to prevent exposure.
• State the control limit and describe the purpose of air monitoring and how it can be used to assess exposure including the importance of personal monitoring
• State how safe work practices, control measures and protective equipment can reduce exposure to asbestos and prevent spread of asbestos outside the work area.
• State the importance of following the procedures, controls and preventative measures set out in the risk assessment and plan of work.
• State the requirements for the maintenance of control measures, including enclosures and negative pressure equipment.
• Describe the procedures for recording, reporting and correcting defects in control measures, protective equipment and work methods.
• Minimise the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area when stripping and removing licensed asbestos.
• Interpret the given information relating to the work and resources when stripping and removing licensed asbestos.
• Maintain safe working practices when stripping and removing licensed asbestos.
• Explain how to comply with relevant legislation and official guidance when stripping and removing licensed asbestos.
• Comply with the given contract information to install and remove licensed asbestos enclosure or containment areas to the required specification.
• Comply with the given occupational resource information to move, handle and/or store resources to the required guidance.
• Describe controlled removal techniques and how they work, including types of wet surfactant, injection of sprayed asbestos and lagging, spray wetting of AIB and asbestos cement, the wrap and cut technique and the use of glove bags.
• State the waste handling procedures including bagging, storage and disposal.
• State the site clean-up and clearance procedures, including the certificate of reoccupation arrangements.
• Outline the requirements and procedure for medical examination.

Additional information

Other organisations who work with asbestos awareness

• ACAD (Asbestos Control and Abatement Division)
• ARCA (Asbestos Removal Contractors Association
• HSE (Health and Safety Executive)
• NFDC (National Federation of Demolition Contractors)
• UKATA (UK Asbestos Training Association)
• IATP (Independent Asbestos Training Providers)
• BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society)
• RSPH (Royal Society for Public Health)
• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Removal of Hazardous Waste (Licensed Asbestos)