SQN

What is an Independent Assessor?  This is someone who has proven they are both qualified and experienced enough to carry out Class A (friable) clearance inspections following asbestos removals.  Also known as a Licensed Independent Asbestos Assessor or just The Assessor ;)  This licence is given to an individual by Worksafe NZ. To get this licence, you must have one of the following qualifications:  - NZQA unit standard 29768  - British Occupational Hygiene Society P404 or IP404  - a tertiary qualification from a relevant subject.  People applying for this licence must also have training records for the relevant work they have carried out, like Class A (under supervision) and Class B clearance inspections on different types of buildings. Evidence of survey work carried out must also be supplied.  This licence expires every 5 years. To renew, you need evidence of completing 6 Class A clearance inspections in the last five years, three in the last year, across a range of building types. This is to prove you are still maintaining your skills and working at a high standard. #Jargon #JargonDecoded #Asbestos #AsbestosAwareness #PCBU #Dutyholder

This.... this is why we do what we do: https://lnkd.in/gu63cJe3 While mesothelioma in such young people is very rare, it could be someone you care about one day.... Unlike some hazards, asbestos exposure doesn't just affect the person disturbing it. It is a risk to everyone who uses the space afterwards. Plus with the increase of extreme weather events on top of other natural disasters, we need to be on this. Let's work together to reduce the risk for all our communities.

What are the rare asbestos types? There are three of the six types of asbestos that were not commercially mined and are considered 'rare'.  * Tremolite - fine, wispy, white fibres * Anthophyllite - fine, wispy, white fibres * Actinolite - white with green tinge fibres They are all part of the amphibole group and are all banned in New Zealand.  These fibre types are usually found as contaminants of the three main fibre types. Their tensile strength is lower and they do not have as good thermal acid resistance. Our team member, Alannah, who has spent a lot of her time in the asbestos industry working in an asbestos laboratory, has only found one of these fibre types in a building material once (tremolite).  They really are rare! #AsbestosTrivia

What is an ARCP - Asbestos Removal Control Plan?  This is the plan made by the licenced asbestos removalist before removal work can start.  The ARCP details what is due to be removed, how it will be removed and what controls will be used to ensure everyone is kept safe. The ARCP also includes other important information including a site specific safety plan (for other potential hazards), decontamination procedures and waste procedures.  There is a lot the ARCP covers! The licenced asbestos removal contractor will write it and can send it to your Licensed Independent Asbestos Assessor for review. #Jargon #JargonDecoded #Asbestos #AsbestosAwareness #PCBU #Dutyholder

Bonnie, our sharp-eyed new addition at SQN, has been spotting asbestos even before joining us. We're thrilled to have her on board! With her expertise in hazardous materials, she's become our Nelson based hero, and we're excited to see what she discovers next. Before she even joined us she found two samples at a school: Chrysotile in interior cladding and Crocidolite in exterior cladding.  In some asbestos containing materials, you can't see the harmful fibres. But you can definitely see fibre bundles in some. Asbestos cement is one example as you can see from Bonnie's excellent photo-taking skills. Just remember, the dangerous fibres that are most hazardous to our health are too small to see with the naked eye. Fibre bundles break down into these tiny needles, so please be cautious! Asbestos is unfortunately prevalent in New Zealand schools, and we're committed to keeping our tamariki safe.  Although she just came onboard, we can't wait to see the day when Bonnie is out of a job because Nelson and the surrounding areas are entirely Asbestos free!

What is blue asbestos? Blue asbestos is a name for "crocidolite", one of the six regulated types of asbestos. It is in the amphibole group. It was imported in raw form into New Zealand until 1984, when it was banned. It was originally known to be the most dangerous type of asbestos, but all types of asbestos are dangerous and can cause cancer. It's acid resistance and thermal insulation properties meant it was very commonly used in industrial and commercial buildings, but was also used in domestic buildings. It is frequently found in different types of asbestos cement products. The fibres, like other amphibole asbestos types, are hydrophobic so they don't bond with water It is characterised by its blue or grey springy fibres. Under plain light microscopy, the fibres have a grey-blue colour which the other fibre types do not have. #AsbestosTrivia

What is an asbestos removal supervisor? This is someone who is both suitably experienced and qualified to supervise asbestos removal operatives. They must hold the NZQA unit standard (or Australian equivalent) plus the unit standard and minimum number of days experience for the class of licensed removal they will be supervising. They must also be over the age of 18. Class A supervisor: - NZQA unit standards 29767 & 29766 - A minimum of 3 years relevant industry experience - At least 600 recorded days of removing friable asbestos containing materials - They must be on site at all times when friable asbestos is being removed. Class B supervisor: - NZQA unit standards 29767 & 29765 - A minimum of 1 year relevant industry experience - At least 200 recorded days of removing non-friable asbestos containing materials - They must be nearby and available for the duration of the removal project. A licensed asbestos removal company must have at least one nominated supervisor on their licence for all classes of work they are licensed for. Some companies have more than one. Removing asbestos is serious business so there is a lot more regulation for this part of the industry. Come and join Alannah for her popular asbestos Supervisor training sessions. Message this page to find out more. #Jargon #JargonDecoded #Asbestos #AsbestosAwareness #PCBU #Dutyholder

Ever have one of those "Nope!" moments on the job? Asbestos surveyors and building managers know the feeling all too well. This time, the culprit? Loose-fill crocidolite, also known as blue asbestos. That's right, the most hazardous asbestos material, found hiding in a building riser! Loose-fill is a major hazard because it can easily become airborne when disturbed, posing a significant risk to anyone in the vicinity. It was likely stuffed into this riser to reduce the risk of fire spreading where the concrete slab had been cut. This discovery by the amazing JP means it can be dealt with safely. Licensed asbestos removal contractors will be called in to create an asbestos removal control plan to eliminate or minimise risk and ensure the building is safe for future use. In the meantime, the area has been restricted to make sure others are kept safe. We have created an asbestos management plan for all building users to read before they even consider stepping foot in the riser!

Wellington! We need you to come and learn about asbestos at the end of the month 😁 We have space on Class A & B removal, Supervisor and Asbestos Awareness. It is extra exciting as Alannah Elliott has invited Bonnie Cottle along to start learning the training ropes. If you haven't met Bonnie yet, you really should. She is as passionate about asbestos management and safety as Alannah. How lucky are we to have people who care so much?! Join us! #asbestos #asbestostraining #asbestosremoval #asbestosnz #nzasbestos #Wellington #healthandsafety #healthandsafetytraining

What is brown asbestos? Brown asbestos is a common name for "amosite" (brand name) or "grunerite" (less commonly used). It is in the amphibole group along with 4 other types of asbestos. It was imported in raw form into New Zealand until 1984, when it was banned. It has good acid and fire resistance, plus good thermal insulation properties. The fibres are hydrophobic, meaning they don't bond with water. It is characterised by sharp, straight, springy fibres and is often white in colour when not in rock form. Under plain light microscopy dispersion staining, the fibres have a distinctive blue/red to yellow/gold colour change which identifies them as amosite when in the correct refractive index liquid is used. #AsbestosTrivia