Risk Assessment: Repairing & Replacing Asbestos Cement Pipes Risk Assessment¶
Document Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document Reference | RA06 |
| Issue Number | 2 |
| Issue Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Next Review | 1 June 2027 |
| Prepared By | Sean Ashton |
| Approved By | Aaron Mason, Director |
Risk Assessment¶
| Activity/Process | Hazard | Who/What Affected | Existing Controls | Pre-Control Risk (S/L/R) | New Controls Required | Post-Control Risk (S/L/R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identifying asbestos cement pipes | Misidentification of pipe material leading to inappropriate handling techniques | Site personnel - exposure to asbestos fibers if pipes misidentified and treated as standard pipes | • Site personnel trained to identify physical characteristics of asbestos cement pipes • Historical service records and drawings consulted prior to work • Suspected asbestos cement materials treated as containing asbestos until proven otherwise |
4/3/12 (High) | • Implement photographic reference guide for pipe identification • Develop enhanced asbestos awareness training specific to water industry • Consider engaging asbestos specialists for preliminary site surveys Health & Safety Manager, within 2 months |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Preparing to work on asbestos cement pipes | Inadequate preparation leading to uncontrolled exposure to asbestos fibers | Site personnel - exposure through inhalation leading to potential asbestos-related diseases Members of public - exposure to airborne fibers |
• Access restricted to essential personnel only • All personnel have 'Category B' non-licensed removal training (within 12 months) • Number of people present minimised • Full task-specific risk assessment conducted • Appropriate permits to work issued • Work on pipes >12" diameter escalated to H&S team |
5/3/15 (High) | • Implement formal pre-work briefing protocol specific to asbestos work • Establish central register of trained personnel • Develop procedure for reviewing training needs every 6 months Health & Safety Manager, within 1 month |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Cutting or breaking asbestos cement pipes | Release of asbestos fibers during cutting/breaking operations | Site personnel - risk of asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma Members of public - exposure to airborne fibers |
• Hand tools or manual pipe cutters only (NEVER power tools) • Pipe kept damp throughout process • Whole lengths removed where possible • PPE worn: Type 5 disposable overalls with hood, Wellington boots, FFP3 respiratory protection, impervious gloves • Only personnel with 'Category B' training |
5/3/15 (High) | • Regular site checks by supervisors (monthly) • Investigate specialised pipe-cutting equipment for asbestos cement • Consider licensed asbestos contractors for complex operations • Provide closed-circuit RPE for high-risk operations Health & Safety Manager, within 3 months |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Handling broken/damaged asbestos cement pipes | Uncontrolled release of asbestos fibers from damaged materials | Site personnel - inhalation of fibers leading to serious respiratory conditions Ground contamination - long-term environmental hazard |
• Damaged sections immediately damped down • Damaged pipes wrapped in heavy-duty polythene and sealed • No dry sweeping - HEPA vacuum cleaners used if necessary • Spill procedures in place • Full PPE worn (as above) |
5/3/15 (High) | • Develop emergency procedure for unplanned asbestos pipe damage • Provide emergency spill kits specific to asbestos • Implement formal decontamination procedure for equipment Health & Safety Manager, within 1 month |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Removing contaminated PPE | Spread of asbestos contamination when removing PPE | Site personnel - contamination to themselves, colleagues, vehicles/equipment | • Personnel trained in correct PPE removal techniques • Disposable overalls removed by peeling inside out • PPE removed in correct sequence (RPE last) • All disposable PPE double bagged as asbestos waste • Hand washing facilities provided • No eating/drinking/smoking until PPE removed and hands washed |
4/3/12 (High) | • Develop standardized decontamination procedure with visual guides • Provide portable decontamination units for larger works • Implement buddy system for checking correct PPE removal • Regular toolbox talks on proper decontamination Health & Safety Manager, within 1 month |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Disposal of asbestos cement pipe waste | Inappropriate disposal leading to environmental contamination and regulatory non-compliance | Environment - contamination Company - regulatory action and reputational damage |
• All waste double-bagged/wrapped and clearly labeled • Waste stored securely in locked skip • Licensed asbestos waste carrier used • Waste consignment notes completed and retained • Disposal only at licensed facilities • Personnel trained in waste handling |
4/2/8 (Moderate) | • Implement formal waste tracking system from generation to disposal • Conduct quarterly audits of waste disposal procedures • Establish formal agreements with licensed disposal facilities Environmental Manager, within 2 months |
4/1/4 (Low) |
| Health monitoring of personnel | Undetected health effects from asbestos exposure | Site personnel - undetected asbestos-related health conditions | • Pre-employment medical examinations for regular asbestos workers • Exposure records maintained for all personnel • Health surveillance per regulatory requirements • Personnel informed of symptoms and instructed to report concerns |
5/2/10 (High) | • Implement enhanced health surveillance with annual medical checks • Develop central exposure register for cumulative tracking • Provide information sessions on long-term health effects HR Department, within 3 months |
5/1/5 (Moderate) |
| Training and competence | Inadequately trained personnel undertaking asbestos work | Site personnel - risk from improper work practices Members of public - exposure due to inadequate controls |
• All personnel have 'Category B' non-licensed removal training • Training records maintained and checked • Refresher training provided at required intervals • Work supervised by experienced personnel |
4/2/8 (Moderate) | • Develop competency assessment process to supplement formal training • Establish mentoring system for newly trained workers (first 5 jobs) • Implement asbestos work permit requiring training verification Leanne Mason, within 2 months |
4/1/4 (Low) |
Key:¶
- S = Severity (1-5 scale)
- L = Likelihood (1-5 scale)
- R = Risk Rating (S × L)
- Risk Levels:
- Low (1-3)
- Moderate (4-8)
- High (9-15)
- Very High (16-25)
Related Documents¶
- Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- HSE Guidance: Working with Asbestos Cement
- Category B Non-Licensed Asbestos Training Requirements