In 2023, the Asbestos Network (under the Construction Industry Advisory Committee, or CONIAC) released their updated exposure monitoring guidance, which had been split into four different strategies.
But, what is exposure monitoring, what are the network’s four main strategies, and how does Phoenix Asbestos Software make developing one much easier?
What is an Exposure Monitoring Strategy?
According to international testing, inspection and certification company, SGS, exposure monitoring is a method of quickly detecting airborne asbestos fibres in order to remove the asbestos promptly. This minimises the risk of exposure for workers and building users, as well as ensures your asbestos removal team remains compliant with the latest legislation.
What is the Asbestos Network’s Exposure Monitoring Guidance?
The Asbestos Network stipulates that there are four different types of personal sampling you can deploy:
- Four-Hour Control Limit – The exposure monitoring strategy that should typically be undertaken the most by licensed contractors. The four-hour control limit is a people-focused workplace exposure monitoring strategy in which the main goal is to ensure employees are not exposed above the 4-hour control limit.
- Specific Short-Duration Activity (SSDA) – SSDA includes each individual task during the asbestos removal project being hyper-focused on. E.g. Removal of a single AIB panel or waste transiting of material to a skip on-site.
- 10-Minute Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) – The STEL strategy includes a 10-minute time-weighed average (TWA) concentration to which workers may be exposed.
- Assessment of Suitability of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) – A strategy in which thorough tests are conducted in order to ensure the correct RPE type and level of protection is chosen. Environmental factors and specific worker requirements must also be taken into account, as well as fit testing and medical suitability.
The objectives for all monitoring stem from the regulatory requisites:
- Check employees’ exposure is below the Control Limit and reduced to as low as is reasonably practicable (Reg 11)
- Confirm the controls, including RPE, are sufficient (Reg 11)
- Support current and future risk assessments (Reg 6)
- Establish employee exposure records (Reg 19)
Fortunately, the guidance stipulates that one or more requirements can often be fulfilled from a single sampling exercise.
When is an Exposure Monitoring Strategy Needed?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that there is a legal requirement to develop an exposure monitoring strategy under certain circumstances, including but not limited to the following:
- Your current information is not sufficient enough to make an informed risk assessment
- To identify a failure or deterioration of a control measure which could pose serious health risks
- To ensure exposure limits are not exceeded
- To check the effectiveness of control measures
To identify any health surveillance needs
Why Choose Phoenix Asbestos Software?
Phoenix Asbestos Software makes all of the above easy!
Using the comprehensive personal air monitoring feature within our asbestos management software, your management team can keep track of individual employees’ and company-wide exposure levels to allow for trend analysis.
This is not only measured on a per ACM (asbestos-containing material), per project basis, but it is also available in real-time.
Once your team’s asbestos removal project has been completed and uploaded to our dedicated desktop, operative activities and logs are automatically updated in order to show the extent to which each employee was involved.
Book A Free Demonstration of Phoenix Asbestos Software Today!
Phoenix Asbestos Software has been built BY asbestos removal teams FOR asbestos removal teams. Informed by a wealth of rich industry knowledge and experience, our affordable, straightforward, and completely paperless asbestos projects software allows supervisors, administration staff and senior management to develop a strong exposure monitoring strategy with ease – among many other indispensable features!
If you’re interested in Phoenix Asbestos Software, contact us today to book a free demonstration. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to discuss any enquiries you may have over the phone, on 01253 228 746, or via email at info@phoenixapp.co.uk. If you’d prefer, leave us a message via the contact form on our website and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
