The Purpose of Air Monitoring Procedures

Airborne asbestos fibres are generated by the disintegration of asbestos containing materials. Asbestos air monitoring samples respirable asbestos fibres in the air to assess exposure levels and the effectiveness of control measures. This is generally undertaken where asbestos containing products are in a poor condition, potentially liberating asbestos fibres into the air, or where asbestos containing materials are being removed.

All Asbestos air monitoring must be carried out in accordance with the Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres [NOHSC: 3003(2005)].

All air sampling testing is undertaken by an accredited NATA Laboratory and the produced report identifies the exposure levels and times of sampling as necessary.

Types of Air Monitoring

Asbestos Air Monitoring includes exposure monitoring, control monitoring and clearance monitoring and in works involving friable asbestos, the development of an air monitoring program is required.

Control Monitoring involves the taking of samples of air from static (fixed) locations to measure the concentration of airborne asbestos fibres.

Exposure Monitoring involves determining a person's risk of exposure to airborne asbestos by taking regular samples within the breathing zone which they are exposed to during a period no longer than a person's 8hr working shift.

Clearance Monitoring is air monitoring carried out after the work on the asbestos containing material has been completed and the area decontaminated and dried. A clearance inspection must be under taken by the asbestos consultant. Abscan issues a Clearance Certificate at this time.

A written Air Monitoring Program should be developed for all indoor removals of friable ACM, and also for outdoor removals of friable ACM where there might be a risk to persons other than the removal staff.

A ''competent person'', who is independent from the person responsible for the removal work, should determine all air monitoring requirements. This person is defined as someone possessing adequate qualifications, such as suitable training and sufficient knowledge, experience and skill, for the safe performance of the specific work.

Consultancy Services and Compliance Reporting

A major part of Abscan's Air Monitoring Services can also include:

• Development or Review of Contractor Work Method Statements and Asbestos Removal Control Plans
• Site Meetings and Consultancy Advice
• Supervisor y Services during course of removal works to ensure compliance of asbestos removal works with legislation and the site specific Asbestos Removal Control Plan
• Providing compliance inspections and reports identifying air monitoring locations, photographs and NATA accredited laboratory results together with assessment of the asbestos removalist's work practices.