LOW- LOW-MODERATE
2.22 Asbestos and fibreglass working procedures
Purpose
This instruction outlines the steps to be followed when working on equipment that contains, or is suspected of containing, asbestos materials. It also provides advice on working with fibreglass to ensure exposure standards are not exceeded.
Scope
This instruction applies to anyone working with asbestos containing materials (ACMs) used in transmission and distribution assets. ACM includes, but is not limited to:
• asbestos, Lebah and Zelemite meter boards
• porcelain fuse cartridge holders with asbestos braiding
• vinyl floor tiles in substations
• low-voltage underground pillars
• cable ducts
• cable lagging
This instruction does not cover working with or around thermal and acoustic insulation, roofing materials or automotive equipment containing or suspected of being ACM.
Specialist support and advice service
For advice on ACMs or in situations which are outside the scope of this field instruction, contact the Parsons Brinckerhoff Occupational Hygiene Team on 0437 806 692 at any time.
• Proactive Service – must be used during the planning stage of any job where ACM is known to be, or is likely to be, present.
• Reactive Service – must be used for unplanned events where ACM was not identified before starting the work, e.g. faults.
Training and authorisation
Work on or near Western Power networks must be performed by personnel that hold a Network Authority Card (NAC) as a minimum.
There are no specific training requirements for the activities covered by this Instruction. If you do not feel that you have the required knowledge, skills and training to carry out the activities covered by this field instruction, discuss this with your formal leader and/or consult Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Safety
An onsite risk assessment for the task must be performed to identify and record the equipment that is, or is suspected of being, ACM, and the control measures taken to minimise:
• the release of asbestos fibres
• exposure to asbestos fibres
Note other ACMs in the immediate vicinity of the work area, such as thermal and acoustic insulation, roofing materials, etc.
Personal protective equipment (PPE), including clothing, must be worn for all work.
For more on PPE, see Section 3 (Personal protective equipment) of this manual.
When removing or working with ACM, the PPE worn must be in line with what is in the risk assessment. The minimum PPE is (but is not limited to):
• Class P2 respirator (QE-0138)
• PVC disposable gloves (QH-064 or QH-0068) with extra wrist length protection
• reusable dust-proof goggles (QE-0071)
• disposable coveralls (QC-0316-18)
Signage (Asbestos Related Work In Progress) and barriers to the area must be displayed for the duration of the task.
Instructions
Any work with ACM poses some risk of disturbing asbestos strands that can become airborne and inhaled. Usually the asbestos material contained in moulded panels and other items remains passive until cut, drilled or sustains some type of damage. The friability (crumbliness) of ACM is also a factor, which is usually caused by weathering or abrasion. The following instructions must be followed to reduce the amount of airborne asbestos fibres to an acceptable level [less than 0.1 fibres/mL – NOHSC:2018(2005)].
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DANGER
• DO NOT place fan-cooled instruments inside a meter enclosure. The dust disturbed by the fan may contain hazardous asbestos particles.
• DO NOT use brushes, brooms or compressed air to remove suspected asbestos-containing dust from the workplace.
• DO NOT use power tools for ACM work.
• DO NOT use sandpaper, rasps or any types of abrasives on ACM.
The use of wetting agents is an essential but temporary part of managing asbestos dust. Wetting agents include:
• wet cloths for wiping
• water spray bottles
• grease or petroleum jelly
Wet cloths must not be rinsed and reused, as the water then becomes contaminated. They may be folded to expose a clean surface and reused. Wet cloths must be placed in the asbestos disposal bag immediately after use.
Electrical meter panels
Until July 1988, panels with asbestos products known as Zelemite, Lebah, and Asbestos were used. These panels can be identified by their appearance:
• They are black, bitumen, and approximately 12 mm to 30 mm thick.
• The material name (in most cases) will be stencilled on the back of the panel.
• These panels should not be confused with black Formica® panels (between 6 mm and 10 mm thick).
• Panels installed before 1988 must not be modified by cutting or drilling.
Panels containing, or suspected of containing, asbestos materials
1. Before removing any meters, fuses, relays or any other electrical fitments, disconnect the service cable or consumer mains from all sources of supply (including the neutral) and prove de-energised.
2. Smear a small amount of grease or petroleum jelly the width of the device, just below its base, and then remove it.
3. Immediately after removing the device, place grease or petroleum jelly over the fixing holes.
4. Smear a small amount of grease or petroleum jelly around the device panel screws or fixings and then remove the panel.
5. Immediately after removing the panel, dampen it with a low-pressure hand-held water spray.
6. Wipe away all dust and minor amounts of panel debris within the meter enclosure with a wet cloth.
7. Do not return the meter with a panel attached – always remove the meter from the panel.
8. Place the panel and the wet cloths into the small plastic bag (OC-3106) then seal it and place it in the large plastic bag (OC-3109) marked “Caution – Asbestos”.
9. When work is complete, place disposable coveralls, respirator and gloves into the large plastic bag.
Note:
Old meters may be replaced without changing the panel provided that:
• the replacement meter has an identical ‘footprint’
• no additional holes or cutting is required
• the work can be done without creating and releasing loose asbestos strands
Porcelain fuse-bases and holders with asbestos braiding
Some older porcelain fuse bases or holders attached to the panels are likely to have asbestos braiding inside to prevent the panel from over-heating.
1. Before removing porcelain fuse bases and holders, disconnect from all sources of supply (including the neutral) and prove de-energised.
2. Remove porcelain fuse bases and holders with asbestos braiding by leaving the fuses in the porcelain fuse bases and removing the panel according to the panel removal instructions.
Distribution pillars
Low-voltage underground distribution pillars were introduced in the late 1970s and were made of chrysotile, a white asbestos fibre cement. The asbestos material
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contained in these pillars usually remains passive until the pillar deteriorates through age and starts to crumble or gets damaged.
These pillars can be identified by their appearance, which is like light grey cement, and are relatively heavy.
Take the following steps when removing the lid or the entire pillar:
1. Before removing the lid, dampen down the outside of the pillar with a low-pressure water spray.
2. Place a large plastic bag (OC-3109) over the lid of the pillar and remove.
3. If the pillar is being replaced, seal the bag then place it in a second large plastic bag marked “Caution – Asbestos”.
4. Before removing the pillar base, isolate or make safe all cables within the pillar.
5. Place a large plastic bag over the pillar base and remove it from the ground.
6. Seal the bag and place it into a second large plastic bag marked “Caution – Asbestos”.
7. When work is complete, place disposable coveralls, respirator and gloves into the large plastic bag marked “Caution – Asbestos”.
Cable ducts
Cement fibre cable ducts are made of chrysotile white asbestos fibre cement and can be identified by either of the following:
• light grey in colour, usually 100 mm in diameter and approximately 4 metres in length
• 50 mm channel-shaped duct mainly used in streetlight circuits in and around central business districts
The asbestos materials in the cement fibre cable ducts usually remains passive until the duct deteriorates through age or gets damaged.
When removing and replacing ducts, take the following steps:
1. Disconnect all cables within the duct from all sources of supply and prove de-energised.
2. Dampen down the outside of the ducting with a low-pressure water spray.
3. Apply a cable slipping compound to the cable duct (and cable) at the opposite end to the cable exit point, minimising the release and possible exposure to any released material.
4. Withdraw the cables and remove ducting, taking care not to cause any unnecessary damage that may release the asbestos fibres.
5. Place the cable ducting on plastic sheeting (OC-7891), double wrap, seal, and mark “Caution – Asbestos”.
6. When work is complete, place disposable coveralls, respirator, and gloves into the large plastic bag (OC-3109) marked “Caution – Asbestos”.
Vinyl floor tiles
Some substations have ACM floor tiles on the floating floors. Where additional holes are required to be made in these tiles the following methods are to be used.
Small holes:
• Use a hand drill to drill holes in vinyl floor tiles. Do not use power tools or battery-operated tools.
Large holes:
1. Mark the intended location for the hole.
2. Dampen down marked area and around it.
3. Cut the tile by hand outside the marked area. Do not use a rotating or