mike.wetton, I remember reading this interesting insert when I first came across it some time ago. It has again caught my eye because I am at the moment reporting on an installation with many fuse ways stuffed with asbestos. It’s a little late but I would be interested to know what you came across in your search.
Shauncostain. I couldn’t disagree more.
Firstly, ‘undertake a risk assessment, inform personnel who may be affected, and maintain adequate records.’ Yes and then file it all in the bin for the good it will do. This seems very much to me like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Secondly, whether the material is in good condition or not it is the nature of fuses that they ‘blow’ from time to time. The result of the device operating is that a small explosion occurs right into the asbestos matt. The outcome of this can only be that in each case the asbestos is aspirated into the distribution board enclosure. There it is readily available to be consumed by the person who is shortly to replace the fuse. No doubt the door of the board will be being opened quit soon after all this has taken place given the nature of most to ‘go and find out what the problem is’. I defy you to find anyone who will carry out a ‘risk assessment’ or ‘determine control methods’ when all the lights have just gone out.
Thirdly, so much for the ‘plentiful guidance’ on offer from the HSE. There is not one published word from that organisation on asbestos in fuse carriers. And when I have tried to approach them for guidance they seem to be disinterested in this particular problem.
Manufacturers of fuse boards are often more helpful pointing out that the only ever used Chrysolite (white asbestos) to make the inserts. When I have requested an assurance that the Chrysolite they used was not contaminated with traces of Amosite or Crocidolite (brown or blue asbestos) they are unwilling to offer any guarantee.
The result of fuses repeatedly operating over the year’s means that some of the older boards must be internally peppered with a fine layer of asbestos dust. I cannot understand why there is so little concern about this clear and present danger.
mike.wetton, I remember reading this interesting insert when I first came across it some time ago. It has again caught my eye because I am at the moment reporting on an installation with many fuse ways stuffed with asbestos. It’s a little late but I would be interested to know what you came across in your search.
Shauncostain. I couldn’t disagree more.
Firstly, ‘undertake a risk assessment, inform personnel who may be affected, and maintain adequate records.’ Yes and then file it all in the bin for the good it will do. This seems very much to me like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Secondly, whether the material is in good condition or not it is the nature of fuses that they ‘blow’ from time to time. The result of the device operating is that a small explosion occurs right into the asbestos matt. The outcome of this can only be that in each case the asbestos is aspirated into the distribution board enclosure. There it is readily available to be consumed by the person who is shortly to replace the fuse. No doubt the door of the board will be being opened quit soon after all this has taken place given the nature of most to ‘go and find out what the problem is’. I defy you to find anyone who will carry out a ‘risk assessment’ or ‘determine control methods’ when all the lights have just gone out.
Thirdly, so much for the ‘plentiful guidance’ on offer from the HSE. There is not one published word from that organisation on asbestos in fuse carriers. And when I have tried to approach them for guidance they seem to be disinterested in this particular problem.
Manufacturers of fuse boards are often more helpful pointing out that the only ever used Chrysolite (white asbestos) to make the inserts. When I have requested an assurance that the Chrysolite they used was not contaminated with traces of Amosite or Crocidolite (brown or blue asbestos) they are unwilling to offer any guarantee.
The result of fuses repeatedly operating over the year’s means that some of the older boards must be internally peppered with a fine layer of asbestos dust. I cannot understand why there is so little concern about this clear and present danger.
