ARCA, the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association, committed to promoting the growth and image of the UK’s asbestos abatement industry have published a new set of recommended guidelines for Monitoring of Airborne Asbestos Fibres.
As a result of the introduction of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 ARCA’s existing guidance note on Monitoring of Airborne Asbestos Fibres required amending. ARCA have now reissued their revised guidance note in order to provide advice on both why and when it is appropriate to implement a programme to monitor asbestos fibre levels.
The guidance note deals specifically with the reasons why air monitoring is carried out, such as:
- To confirm that an appropriate level of personal protection has been chosen
- To check the effectiveness of dust suppression methods
- To provide data for employee exposure records
- To check that an area is suitable for reoccupation on completion of asbestos work.
In addition the guidance note also details the type of asbestos air tests that may be carried out:
- Background sampling
- Leak (enclosure check) sampling
- Personal sampling
- Clearance indicator sampling
- Reassurance sampling
Finally the guidance note details methods which can be used to discriminate between asbestos and non asbestos fibres, recording and reporting of results, and laboratory accreditation.
A copy of the guidance note can be downloaded at www.arca.org.uk/publications.asp
For more information on ARCA please contact: Kirstie Colledge, Simply Marcomms Limited, 18 Generator Hall, Electric Wharf, Coventry, CV1 4JL, Tel: 0870 199 4044
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