Department of Labour - May 2022 deadline for asbestos inventory assessments

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BUSINESS NEWS - The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) launched the new Asbestos Abatement Regulations on Friday 27 November 2020. The new Asbestos Abatement Regulations 2020 replaced the Regulations of 2001 and was done in partnership with National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH).

The Asbestos Abatement Regulations gives duty to employers to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health of employees, and members of the public.

The regulations give a clear responsibility to employers to identify “asbestos in place” and manage them properly.

Although there is no national policy currently with a cut-off date when all buildings must be asbestos free, employers are encouraged to self-develop policy and procedure as to how they are going to be phasing out asbestos in their buildings.

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Regulations 3 and 20 of the Asbestos Abatement Regulations 2020 – Government Gazette No. R.1196, gives employers an implementation time period of 18 months from the promulgation date (10 November 2020) to develop written asbestos management plans as well as the labelling and signage to indicate materials or buildings containing asbestos.

The 18 months period to conclude asbestos assessments and develop written asbestos management plans is approaching. The deadline date is May 2022.

Property owners or employers must obtain the services of registered and competent companies or persons in this field to ensure that all materials identified as, or assumed to be asbestos-containing material, are entered into an inventory of “asbestos in place”, which is kept at the workplace or premises.

With regard to disagreement or doubt on whether any substance contains asbestos, a sample of that substance must be taken and identification of the substance must be determined by an approved inspection authority (AIA).

According to regulation 4, the inventory of “asbestos in place” must contain as far as reasonably practicable, the following information about each of the asbestos-containing materials-

The date on which the material was identified.
A description of the material, quantity and extent of deterioration.
The location as detailed on a floor plan.
Confirmation of labelling and signage as required by regulation 20.
The risk categorisation derived from the asbestos risk assessment.
A description of potential exposure scenarios.

If asbestos -containing materials are identified, the employer or self-employed person must ensure that a written asbestos management plan is prepared by a competent person.

The asbestos management plan must include:

Exactly where the removal of asbestos is planned, and information in the asbestos inventory must be adequately detailed with respect to the work to be carried out.

The employer or property owner must ensure that a copy of the asbestos inventory is given to the registered asbestos removal contractor as well as the approved inspection authority (AIA) before asbestos removal work commences.

Asbestos Removal and Roofing in Cape Town can assist employers with the identification of asbestos containing materials as well as the removal and safe disposal of all types of asbestos.

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