FAA NEWS W
ISSUE 3
2019
ASBESTOS, TALC, EMPS: AN EVOLVING PERSPECTIVE ON MINED MINERALS OR A PARADIGM SHIFT?
ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE Registrars welcome Newsdesk features My experience of the COCA Meet the member
An official publication of
FAA NEWS Welcome t W
ISSUE 3
2019
The Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FAAM) is
FAA NEWS W
ISSUE 3
At the 2014 Amer ican Industrial Hygie ne Conference in Antonio, Texas, San there was a round table entitled “Asbe and the Society: stos Perception of an Acceptable Risk here Fred Boelt Level” er gave a presentatio n entitled “Achi World Free of Asbes eving a tos Risk”. All of us in the occupational and public health profession know such an achievement is fundamentally impossible if for no other reason than asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is inherently part of the earth’s crust. The earth’s crust has inherent hazards and the earth’s air has never been pure, which begs the question of what is meant by “pure” and other loosely defined terms frequently encountered on this topic.
2019
ASBESTOS, TALC, EMPS: AN EVOLVING PERSPECTIVE ON MINED MINERALS OR A PARADIGM SHIFT?
ASBESTOS, TALC , EMPS: AN EVOLVING PERS PECTIVE ON MINED MINE RALS
ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE Registrars welcome Newsdesk features
OR A PARADIGM
My experience of the COCA Meet the member Fred W Boelter,
CIH, PE, BCEE,
An official publication of
FAIHA and Jacob D Persky,
MPH, CIH
SHIFT?
answer may be to ban asbestos, supportable and such a simple transparent answer is anything decisions about but simple to implemen risk. t. The health effects of significant and substantial exposures Ours is a professio to asbestos, n the costs and legacy grounded in the of regulating principle and remediatin g, and society’s of protecting by assessing desire to rid asbestos from the exposures, designin planet is the source g of a head control solution scratching conundrum s, and : Is there any merit in chasing educating workers insignificant and insubstant ial randomly (increasingly consum low concentrations ers of “things and the public What we also know of interest” that as well), were never in our how to use and profession is that deliberately put work the term asbestos, into a product at least from a but rather are safely with hazards. historical perspectiv artifacts of mother e, is not a mineralog nature? Is it appropria Our profession ical term but te to embrace gives rather a commerci the idea that “detection al term related ” equates consideration to to 6 fibrous forms to “risky”? factors Is our profession of specific minerals really such as “who”, “under that were commerci suggesting that mother nature ally extracted, what is processed, graded, so unpredictable circumstances”, that we simply and sold as “when”, ingredients for should not harvest and “where”. Hazards manufacturing anything natural a variety of useful for fear of exposure and life-saving to something abound everywh products. At least ere, but detectable and therefore the that was the risks are different perspective “back only acceptabl than e concentration then”. We also of now know that hazards. an unintended a significant and artifact is “zero”? substantial exposure What are we supposed or dose (a to think Let us step back function of concentra when authoritat for one moment ive agencies adopt tion, time, to the idea mentioned duration and frequency policies premised earlier that upon there being ) can result “detection” equates for some people “no safe level of to “risky”. in the developm asbestos exposure ent As we all know, of disease, but for any type of “detection” is a further considerat asbestos fiber”? ion Is it technical term also needs to be even technicall that begs definition. y feasible to confirm given to fiber We all know that type and latency “zero” fibers? an analytical Is “zero” what recognizing is result reported some people with meant when using as “<0.01” is missing even significant the word “safe”? important informatio exposure do not If so, we should n. Without develop disease. all wear respirators details about the Such a statement all the time! identity of the does not mean, parameter, measurem “don’t concern yourself about ent unit, method of analysis, Obviously, that asbestos exposure” is not what our and laboratory , the statement proficiency to produce profession is saying clearly recognizes nor should it accurate the reality of and reliable data, be what our profession our profession, the value of the namely, there is implying. are datapoint and Scaring people a number of factors associated concept out of their wits to consider in is of “detection” fearmongering judging risk. is extremely limited. and leads to bad, Similarly, adequate costly, and unsupport working able decisions. definitions are The topic of asbestos We should be scaring also needed for is complicated, people terms often applied but people like into their wits simple answers. and assisting our to the topic of asbestos, While a simple clients and the public talc, and elongate and compellin into making mineral g particles (EMPs), including: fibrous,
FAAM NEWS
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CONTENTS 02 Registrars welcome 04 Newsdesk features
now 2 years old. Has it been a successful 2 years? Membership exceeds 300 across all the professional grades. It is an impressive start for a new professional body. It demonstrates that there is a real appetite for a dedicated ‘home’ for asbestos professionals and of course, we expect membership to increase well beyond this. The application process is now well established, including with regard to Professional Experience Portfolio (PEP) applications and Professional Discussion to full Member Grade. The FAAM Committee has started its progression to a fully elected Committee, with unelected positions transitioning to elected positions over the next few years. My position as Registrar will be up for election in 2021. The second FAAM conference – ‘Asbestos 2019’ – is being held in November with, as in 2018, international speakers and a fully scientific programme. FAAM is represented on various relevant committees, has provided presentations at various conferences and is referred to in upcoming HSE guidance on asbestos analytical work. E-bulletins are regularly provided as well as a biannual newsletter.
06 Meet the member Samantha Collins
So much has been achieved in the first 2 years. But where would I like
09 Asbestos 2019
bigger membership and so on, but the better answer is influence
09 Meet the committee member Jonathan Ford
simply a home for asbestos professionals but a fundamental change
10 My Experience of the COCA By Graham O’Mahony BSc HONS, COCA LFAAM 15 Continuing Professional Development update 15 Exhibiting at FAAM Conference COVER FEATURE
12 Asbestos, Talc, EMPs: An Evolving Perspective on Mined Minerals or a Paradigm Shift? By Fred W Boelter, CIH, PE, BCEE
to see FAAM in 5 or 10 years? The easy answer is more of the above, and change. The concept behind FAAM’s original inception was not in professional practice. I recall many years ago being invited to a chemical site to resolve an asbestos incident. Once on site, I was taken to the offending area and asked to provide advice about some damaged asbestos lagging and fallen asbestos debris. I couldn’t see any damage or any debris. Puzzled, I asked my client what I was meant to see. He pointed at an overhead pipe and said a piece of lagging, the size of a thumbnail, had fallen to the floor; this occurred with nobody present, outdoors and in the rain. The piece of debris had gone, I can’t recall if it had washed away or had been picked up, but my client asked what they should do? Again puzzled, I said with regard to what? He said RIDDOR and reporting as a dangerous occurrence and with regard to possible risk to health? I politely advised him that it was neither reportable nor in any way a
LATEST BOHS NEWS & INFO @BOHS BOHS Head Office 5/6 Melbourne Business Court, Millennium Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8LZ, UK T: + 44 (0) 1332 298101 | iamfaam@bohs.org | www.iamfaam.org The views expressed in this issue are not necessarily those of BOHS Council
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to FAAM News
Martin Stear Registrar of FAAM
risk to health. There was no evidence
for Reoccupation for asbestos removal
buildings, I believe they do so on the
that anyone had been present at the
despite the area not being thoroughly
understanding that such buildings are
time and in any case, even if they had,
cleaned. It is of great concern to me
still rammed with asbestos-containing
they were not exposed. The company
that in 2019, many asbestos survey
materials. This is not correct or is at
did not report this but insisted
reports contain numerous unhelpful
least only part of the picture. The
that I produce a retrospective risk
caveats, are ambiguous and at times,
problem is still so prevalent in many
assessment. Despite my advice that
dangerously misleading.
cases, because we have failed over the
there was no exposure, no risk and this was not an incident, they still insisted that they needed a report. I was able to persuade them that a short letter would suffice. Why have I told this story? There are others I could tell that are similar and I am sure that some readers will have had similar experiences. The point is that I have encountered many such similar ‘incidents’ which have not been so quickly resolved but which escalated into full investigations and clean-ups- worryingly supported by ‘asbestos professionals’. Other examples include air testing when it is not necessary and / or swab testing of surfaces, with ‘contamination’ found and expensive clean-ups recommended, when there was no evidence of a contamination event. Similar situations are found at times with asbestos surveys, where asbestos surveyors take samples of non-descriptive dust ‘just in case’ and find the odd unimportant fibre which leads to great concern for the uninformed client. There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos but such overzealous advice may result in dealing with issues which do not present any more than a negligible (trivial) risk of injury, when resources could be better spent on real risks from asbestos. More significantly, we at times see real risks missed or created. I am still surprised to see in 2019 poor asbestos clearances where duty holders are provided with Certificates FAAM NEWS
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2019
There are of course many excellent asbestos professionals and asbestos consultancies who provide balanced advice and expertise, based on a proper understanding of risk. However, FAAM wants to influence HSE and other bodies, to increase standards throughout the UK; avoiding poor quality professional work that creates a risk and avoiding overzealous advice. So where would I like to see FAAM in 5 to 10 years? If there has been an overall improvement in professional advice and expertise, with FAAM recognised as being at the forefront of this, then I consider that we will have achieved our original vision. At this year’s conference, ‘Asbestos 2019’, there will be professional best practice workshops, which will tackle some of the issues I have discussed. These workshops will be the start of a process that will lead to guidance for members. Fundamental to this will be the engagement of members in developing and promoting such guidance. The hope is that FAAM is seen as leader in best practice, with the guidance being recognised by industry bodies, UKAS and regulators etc.
last 40 years to do the job properly; many organisations thought they had removed their asbestos only to find it had been done badly. The major uses of asbestos had stopped in the UK by 1980 but nearly 40 years on, it remains a major problem. By establishing a major professional body, that helps to improve standards, FAAM hopes to see asbestos really confined to the history books. So I want to see the membership grow and grow, with members signed up to continual professional development and the code of ethics, but with the elimination of asbestos risks as the ultimate objective. As described elsewhere in the newsletter, Asbestos 2019 will include much more than the development of such best practice, with international speakers from Europe, USA, Canada and Australia. We will hear about communication of risk, asbestos management outside the UK, health risk studies in relation to the Quebec mining region, what is meant by an ‘asbestos free world’ and much more. It promises again to be a very rewarding conference for members and non-members. Two years on,
Through such work and representation
we will be looking to engage more
on committees etc., FAAM wants to
members in working groups and
do what it can to help the UK be rid
committees to help achieve our goals.
of the biggest occupational health problem we have ever seen. When politicians talk about eradication of asbestos from schools and other
Martin Stear 03
FAA NEWSDESK W
UPDATES FROM THE FAAM COMMITTEE ASBESTOS DISEASE STATISTICS
❙❙ There were 2,084 male deaths
HSE has recently published (July
their effects both on businesses
in 2017, a slight reduction
(particularly SMEs) and the health
compared with recent years,
and safety system.
and 439 female deaths, a slight
2019) the latest statistics on
increase.
asbestos disease and mesothelioma
showed that the health and safety
❙ There were 2,025 new cases
cases assessed for Industrial Injuries
burden is not a problem for the
of mesothelioma assessed for
Disablement Benefit (IIDB) in Great
majority of businesses (70%),
Britain.
Industrial Injuries Disablement
The latest information shows:
235 were female. This compares
❙❙ There were 2,523 mesothelioma
with 2,170 new cases in 2016, of
and most feel that the policies
Benefit (IIDB) in 2017 of which
which 240 were female.
deaths in Great Britain in 2017,
❙ Men who worked in the building
a broadly similar number to the
industry when asbestos was
previous five years.
the rest of this current decade
has a much greater understanding
interested in the report published
decline.
recently by HSE on “Understanding
❙❙ More than half of annual deaths
the impact of business to business
now occur in those aged over 75
health and safety ‘rules’”.
years. Annual deaths in this age
within their business.
The report concludes that HSE now
Newsdesk readers may also be
before annual numbers begin to
proportionately relative to the risks
health and safety burden.
mesothelioma.
around 2,500 deaths per year for
have in place are sensible and
of SMEs do report a considerable
among those most at risk of
that there will continue to be
and procedures they have to
However, a substantial proportion
used extensively are now
❙❙ The latest projections suggest
The evidence from the study
of what is influencing duty holder practice, the impact of these various drivers, and their interaction with the Government regulatory
group continue to increase while
The research explores perceptions of
deaths below age 70 are now
health and safety ‘rules’ (sometimes
decreasing.
referred to as “blue tape”) and
regime. It presents HSE with a significant opportunity to work with and through the system to drive evidence-driven improvements to tackle the key challenges – including in HSE policies and practice
Figure 1: Mesothelioma annual deaths, IIDB cases and projected future
The report also identifies the
deaths to 2030 in GB (source HSE, “Mesothelioma in Great Britain,
importance of “Sharing our
Mesothelioma mortality in Great Britain 1968-2017”) http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/mesothelioma/mesothelioma.pdf 3,000
understanding of this with health and safety professionals at the ‘sharp end’ of putting it into practice with the SMEs most affected by the current rules culture”.’
2,000
http://www.hse.gov.uk/regulation/ assets/docs/understandingimpact-business-to-business-
Deaths/cases
2,500
health-safety-rules.pdf
1,500
MESOTHELIOMA RESEARCH PUBLICATION:
1,000
“Past and current asbestos exposure and future mesothelioma risks in Britain: The
500
Inhaled Particles Study (TIPS)” 0 1980
1985
1990
Mesothelioma deaths (actual)
04
www.iamfaam.org
1995
IIDB Cases
2000
2005
2010
Mesothelioma deaths (projected)
2015
2020
Upper and lower
2025
2030
Prediction Interval
Clare Gilham et al. International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 47, Issue 6, December 2018, Pages 1745–1756.
ASBESTOS & INNOVATION 4th conference of the European Asbestos Forum On the 14th and 15th of November 2019, The EAF will organise workshops and its 4th international conference on the topic ‘ Asbestos &
of the art science, developments
location. If you have to deal with
and best practice. For example:
asbestos matters in any shape or form
robotic microscopy on location,
professionally, this is the conference
new remediation methods and
for you.
the means to finish illegal asbestos
Reduction for BOHS and FAAM
dumping forever. Also there will be answers to such questions as:
Innovation’. At: the Van der Valk Hotel
❙ What really is asbestos?
Oostzaan in Amsterdam, twenty
❙ How can asbestos be
minutes by taxi from Schiphol Airport.
safely denaturised and which of the various methods are ready
Speakers Global top speakers will discuss a wide range of new and high-tech remediaton techniques, denaturation and – obviously – innovation. The Keynote Speech will be presented by professor Jukka Takala, the president
for commercial reality? ❙ How can asbestos awareness be improved and made easily accessible? ❙ What are the important legal developments?
of the International Commission on
Practical relevance of the
Occupational Health (ICOH). He will
presentations is paramount.
discuss the social and economic impact of asbestos in society. Also professor Arthur Frank of Drexel University will explain what the true health dangers of asbestos exposure are. More than twenty very different speakers from across the globe will fill you in on the latest state
FAAM NEWS
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2019
Specifically for asbestos
Members If you are a BOHS or FAAM Member, mention this in the registration form to receive 15% reduction on everything! More information There is so much to learn and share, come join us in Amsterdam! If you are interested to register, sponsor, have a stand etc., email Dr. Yvonne Waterman at yw@ europeanasbestosforum.org. To see the programme, go to www. europeanasbestosforum.org/ program-2019 or register at www.europeanasbestosforum.org/
professionals across sectors and
registration
borders
I hope to welcome you soon,
The European Asbestos Forum Foundation is specifically meant to address the need for knowledge and networks of professionals, regardless of their specific background or
Dr. Yvonne Waterman, founder and president of the EAF Foundation
05
MEET THE MEMBER
Samantha Collins 1. What was the first job you
some days it will be travelling to
time education?
clients to audit asbestos training
I found it really hard to get a job when I graduated university. I wanted to work for the Environment Agency but it was all quite competitive and employers quite rightly wanted experience over shiny new degree certificates so after my 24th job application was rejected I gave up. After doing temp work including data input and cleaning supermarket floors I decided to take up a voluntary position as an ‘Urban Biologist’ with the Texas Parks and Wildlife department in Dallas which involved advising companies how to include native plants on development sites, manage storm water and redevelop disused sites into nature reserves. I returned home with a slightly better CV (and a very poorly bank account) and got a job with a local analytical company specialising in soil, water and air monitoring. 2. When and why did you join FAAM? I have been a member of BOHS since I took my CCP (CoCa) in about 2008. I am still a BOHS member now at Specialist Licentiate level but my comfort zone is asbestos and I’m not overly familiar with other areas of occupational hygiene, so I’d find it difficult to progress further with my BOHS membership. When I heard through colleagues at BOHS that FAAM was being formed and it was specifically for people specialising in the asbestos industry I joined as soon as I could. 3. Describe a typical day in your work. I’m sure everyone says it but there really isn’t a typical day. I do a lot of work for different organisations
06
and wear a few different ‘hats’ so
got when you finished full-
www.iamfaam.org
courses on behalf of IATP or BOHS, other days I will be a specialist invigilator/examiner for BOHS proficiency modules and sometimes I’ll be at home reviewing training presentations, writing training notes and course guidance or marking exam papers. I also help a couple of companies with
6. Where did you last go on holiday?
quality management and UKAS
We recently went camping in The
accreditation which might mean
Cotswolds and are planning a
auditing paperwork and systems or
short stay in Cornwall. Nothing too
going out on site to observe their
adventurous at the minute as my
surveyors and analysts.
Dad’s side of the family are from The
4. How did you get your current job?
Falkland Islands and we are saving for a trip there next year.
When I had my little boy 10 years
7. Favourite food?
ago, I was working for a local
I just love food……..any food! Just
asbestos and occupational hygiene
don’t try and make me eat raw
company. I enjoyed my job but
tomatoes.
struggled because I wanted to be at home more with my son. It was my boss who suggested I apply to BOHS as role of what was then a ‘practical examiner’ which would be fewer hours so I could save on childcare costs and be at home much more. I expected to maybe do that along with some temping again until my son was in pre-school but somehow, 10 years later I’m still working for myself and really enjoying it. So thank you Mr Grant
8. Favourite film? There are just too many. I still love my childhood films such as The Goonies and Indiana Jones but I also really enjoy a classic Western or a war film – I have to say Saving Private Ryan too because my dad was in it and I got to watch some of it being filmed! 9. Favourite book? Anything by Patricia Cornwell,
for giving me a push!
Stephen King or James Herbert.
5. What do you enjoy doing
10. What was the first/last music
when you are not working? We are quite an outdoorsy family and are lucky enough to live in a beautiful rural part of Hampshire, so we are always out walking, usually with our retired working dog Fern. I also love cooking, gardening and going to the pub plus I am particularly keen on clay shooting and a bit of fishing.
album you bought? We used to go on holiday to Tintagel every year and Gracelands by Paul Simon was always on in the car. The first album I bought with my own money however was probably a Bryan Adams cassette. I haven’t bought an album for a while as it’s so easy to stream music now but I am currently listening to London Grammar and The Eagles.
When I heard through colleagues at BOHS that FAAM was being formed and it was specifically for people specialising in the asbestos industry I joined as soon as I could.
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ASBESTOS 2019 By now you will have seen the advertisements for the FAAM/BOHS Asbestos 2019 conference. We hope that you have this year’s venue (Crowne Plaza, Nottingham) and dates (November 19th and 20th) in your diaries and your places booked. For our second conference we are building on the success of last year to provide an exciting program of national and international speakers with something for everyone who has a professional
course is a “must” for practising
manage asbestos, there are still
professionals.
many incidents of reported failures,
If you cannot make it to the PCD, one of the key-note speeches will also centre on communicating the risks. Every FAAM member signs up to a Code of Ethics and the conference aims to explore the meaning / practical implementation of ethics within our industry. The scene will be set on the first morning and all delegates will be asked for input to bring this together at the close of day two.
criticism. Hence the management address is focussing on schools but there are lessons for everyone. Guidance on asbestos in soils has now been tested in the field. How is it working and what improvements can be made? The various aspects of surveys, air sampling/analysis, and risk will be addressed along with a case study to illustrate current variations in method and interpretation. Two speakers cover some of the
interest in asbestos.
technical developments within our industry.
This year we are taking on board some added features, copying
New to some of you may be denaturing asbestos as an
successful ideas from the BOHS Annual Conference. They are:
alternative to land-fill.
❙❙ A conference dinner when we
A topic that has been
can all relax and socialise in the
investigated since the 1970s but
company of like-minded people.
as yet has had little use in the UK. Automated fibre counting
❙❙ Workshops: one on surveying/ reporting and another on
which discriminates between
clearances. Both subjects have
asbestos types is the other
frequently aroused considerable
technical development.
concern when they have come
Implementation of the
under scrutiny either in HSL
sentencing guidelines in
research investigations or during
asbestos related criminal
legal prosecutions, both civil and
prosecutions is also a session
criminal. As members of FAAM,
subject (although hopefully it
we want better standards and
will never directly apply to any
the workshops will explore ways
of our delegates). The guidance
in which this can be achieved. ❙❙ A Professional Development Course (PDC) is being held the day before the conference on 18 November, run by Andrey Korchevskiy and titled “Crash Course on Asbestos Risk Assessment: Workers, Community, Consumers”. In the daily decisions and recommendations we make as professionals we need to be able to quantify the risk from asbestos exposures and relate them to other risks. We also need to explain these risks to clients and those who may have been inadvertently exposed. This
08
with schools being prime targets for
www.iamfaam.org
We are furthering last year’s presentations on asbestos in the talc used in some international children’s cosmetic products.
gives the sentencing Judge simple categories related to risk of harm. HSE would like agreement between the legal profession and expert witnesses as to what exposures
Sampling and analysis also has a slot
should be regarded as high, medium
but this year we are looking at dusts
and low risk for use with these
and swab samples and exploring their
sentencing guidelines. Proposals
interpretation. Since the aim of all
require careful consideration before
our work is to minimise risk, where do
any agreement can be reached by
we draw the line of acceptability?
those involved in such matters.
HSE are presenting their findings
So there really will be something for everyone. We do hope to see you there.
on the topical issue of management of asbestos in schools. Despite the long standing requirement to
Jean Prentice
MEET THE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Jonathan Ford 1. What was the first job you got when you finished fulltime education? After I completed full-time education, I struggled to get work in the environmental sector. Although I had just gained a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science, I still didn’t have a driving license. Which do you think was more important for job applications?
the trickier technical queries from
8. Favourite film?
clients and colleagues.
I watched Serenity again last night
4. How did you get your current job? After being made redundant from a previous employer, I got in touch with an ex-colleague who was
the team I work with and of the
Geography teacher, a friend of mine
contributions I’ve been able to
offered me an interview with Casella
make. 5. What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Family comes first – keeping 3
consultancy.
young kids occupied is a full-time
2. When and why did you join
weights helps to keep my base level
FAAM?
job in itself! 3 times a week on the of strength and fitness up and is a
I applied to join FAAM at the end
great stress reliever. When I get the
of 2018, with my membership
chance, I’m an outdoors person:
granted on the 2nd Jan 2019. I
MTB’ing, rock or ice climbing, and
joined FAAM because I felt that we
family walks in the woods, hills
needed a home for professionals
and rivers of the Peak District and
and that membership would help
beyond.
to differentiate me as a consultant, in the eyes of clients, from the many other professionals offering similar services. It is a useful tool to demonstrate that I actively work on
soundtrack, and James Earl Jones.
The Physics of Blown Sands and
and it turned to be a good fit for
and a stint on a PGCE as a
there started my career in asbestos
Barbarian (1982). Great story, great
9. Favourite book?
10 years now and I’m proud of
take me on without a license and
times than others is Conan the
for an interview as his replacement
After a few temping placements,
consultant. They were prepared to
film I’ve probably watched more
emigrating. He kindly invited me in
both parties – I’ve been here for
Hazmat to train as an asbestos
(film of the Firefly series), but the
6. Where did you last go on holiday? Pwllheli in North Wales. It’s close enough to get to easily with a car
Desert Dunes, by R A Bagnold. This was a core text whilst at university but was long out of print (since 1941). After graduating I managed to persuade the publisher to reprint it, so I was able to buy a copy in 2005. It applies both to dry sands in deserts and beaches, and also to sediments in rivers streams and seas. NASA applied it to the study of dunes on Mars too. Continuing the desert theme, I also like to re-read the Dune series by Frank Herbert and the prequels/sequels by his son Brian. 10. What was the first/last music album you bought? I can’t remember the actual first, but it may have been Bjork’s “Post”, Radiohead’s “Pablo Honey” or Portishead’s “Dummy”. Prior to that, I’d record singles off the Chart Show using a tape deck next to the TV.
full of kids and has a huge range
Last album I bought may have been
the higher levels of our profession.
of beaches, mountains and forests
Led Zeppelin’s Mothership about
3. Describe a typical day in your
within an hours drive. I can also
10 years ago. I think Youtube and
get a bit of fishing in during the
Spotify has done for album sales
evenings or early mornings.
– I’m currently listening to Pharrell
my CPD and that I can operate at
work. After doing the school and nursery runs (thanks to a flexible employer), my days mostly revolve around our quality management system and auditing. However, they also include developing and delivering training courses under our UKATA profile, managing our site tablet hardware
7. Favourite food? I prefer variety: I like new and interesting flavours and a bit of
Williams/N.E.R.D., Bonobo, Tame Impala, Ocean Wisdom, Sofi Tukker and a lot of playlists.
spiciness. Middle Eastern and North African is good, but so is a slowroasted lamb shank or nasi goreng. I like my food.
and software, and dealing with
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ASBESTOS 2019
COCA
My experience of the
As an asbestos training provider for over 20 years I had undertaken several of the BOHS modules, and also delivered some of their training courses. I felt that the “top qualification” in the subject of asbestos was the CCP, now the COCA. I actually first applied to undertake the CCP (after passing the S301 course) over 10 years ago and thought back then it would challenge and test me, I applied and then didn’t get the chance to sit the interview due to work commitments.
LFAAM
surveying, asbestos legislation
analytical business, and one of
asbestos removal or asbestos air
the requirements to hold the
testing, as I have taught in all these
accreditation is that somebody in
subjects for many years. I identified
the organisation must hold the
that my weakness was asbestos bulk
COCA, therefore a good time to
analysis. So I studied hard to learn,
revisit something that I should have
understand and practically teach
completed 10 years ago. I also act
myself the process, with some lab
as an Expert Witness on occasions,
assistance, how bulk samples were
qualifications and experience are
ACTUALLY analysed, obviously I
always challenged, so the COCA
knew how samples were analysed,
was becoming a necessity not just a
but when delving into the EXACT
challenge.
process and full analysis procedure I
So I applied, with a colleague of mine and we decided to undertake it at the same time. The process wasn’t quick but that was mainly down to me getting my submission report to BOHS, and then reviewing the submission and feedback, I wasn’t in an extreme hurry and work commitments had to come first. I started the process early 2018, and due to the scheduling of the oral exams, I opted for December 2018, which was the quietest time for me at work. I am sure the process is relatively quick if you are willing to commit to it, my time was my issue. With my background in the industry I had no issues with oral questions asbestos management, asbestos
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BSc HONS, COCA
I have recently set up a new
relating to the subject of asbestos,
10
Graham O’Mahony
identified this as my weakness. So I set aside a day near the oral interview date and held a question and answer session with my colleague (who was also being interviewed) to identify each others weakness, this really helped and I would strongly advise any person deciding to undertake the oral interview, be prepared and study hard, some of the questions are tough…very tough….but fair, after all it is assessing your competence. On the day, I arrived and had a very nice welcome from Val and the team, who I must say were very helpful throughout the whole process. I attended the interview and felt very confident afterwards. Once the results were received, I was very pleased with myself. Subsequently I then joined FAAM.
I would say it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as daunting as people make it out to be, the three individuals on the panel were very nice and the process wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t difficult.
ASBESTOS, TALC, EMPS: AN EVOLVING PERSPECTIVE ON MINED MINERALS
OR A PARADIGM SHIFT? Fred W Boelter, CIH, PE, BCEE, FAIHA and Jacob D Persky, MPH, CIH
At the 2014 American Industrial Hygiene Conference in San Antonio, Texas, there was a roundtable entitled “Asbestos and the Society: Perception of an Acceptable Risk Level” here Fred Boelter gave a presentation entitled “Achieving a World Free of Asbestos Risk”. All of us in the occupational and
answer may be to ban asbestos,
supportable and transparent
public health profession know such
such a simple answer is anything
decisions about risk.
an achievement is fundamentally
but simple to implement. The
impossible if for no other reason
health effects of significant and
than asbestos is a naturally
substantial exposures to asbestos,
occurring mineral that is inherently
the costs and legacy of regulating
part of the earth’s crust. The
and remediating, and society’s
earth’s crust has inherent hazards
desire to rid asbestos from the
and the earth’s air has never been
planet is the source of a head
pure, which begs the question of
scratching conundrum: Is there
what is meant by “pure” and other
any merit in chasing insignificant
loosely defined terms frequently
and insubstantial randomly
encountered on this topic.
low concentrations of “things
What we also know in our profession is that the term asbestos, at least from a historical perspective, is not a mineralogical term but rather a commercial term related to 6 fibrous forms of specific minerals that were commercially extracted, processed, graded, and sold as ingredients for manufacturing a variety of useful and life-saving products. At least that was the perspective “back then”. We also now know that a significant and substantial exposure or dose (a function of concentration, time, duration and frequency) can result for some people in the development of disease, but further consideration also needs to be given to fiber type and latency recognizing some people with even significant exposure do not develop disease.
of interest” that were never deliberately put into a product but rather are artifacts of mother nature? Is it appropriate to embrace the idea that “detection” equates to “risky”? Is our profession really suggesting that mother nature is so unpredictable that we simply should not harvest anything natural for fear of exposure to something detectable and therefore the only acceptable concentration of an unintended artifact is “zero”? What are we supposed to think when authoritative agencies adopt policies premised upon there being “no safe level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber”? Is it even technically feasible to confirm “zero” fibers? Is “zero” what is meant when using the word “safe”? If so, we should all wear respirators
Ours is a profession grounded in the principle of protecting by assessing exposures, designing control solutions, and educating workers (increasingly consumers and the public as well), how to use and work safely with hazards. Our profession gives consideration to factors such as “who”, “under what circumstances”, “when”, and “where”. Hazards abound everywhere, but risks are different than hazards. Let us step back for one moment to the idea mentioned earlier that “detection” equates to “risky”. As we all know, “detection” is a technical term that begs definition. We all know that an analytical result reported as “<0.01” is missing important information. Without details about the identity of the
all the time!
parameter, measurement unit,
“don’t concern yourself about
Obviously, that is not what our
proficiency to produce accurate
asbestos exposure”, the statement
profession is saying nor should it
and reliable data, the value of the
clearly recognizes the reality of
be what our profession is implying.
datapoint and associated concept
our profession, namely, there are
Scaring people out of their wits is
of “detection” is extremely limited.
a number of factors to consider in
fearmongering and leads to bad,
Similarly, adequate working
judging risk.
costly, and unsupportable decisions.
definitions are also needed for
We should be scaring people
terms often applied to the topic of
into their wits and assisting our
asbestos, talc, and elongate mineral
clients and the public into making
particles (EMPs), including: fibrous,
Such a statement does not mean,
The topic of asbestos is complicated, but people like simple answers. While a simple and compelling FAAM NEWS
ISSUE 3
2019
method of analysis, and laboratory
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Continued from page 13
solid solution series, exposure, free, zero, safe, pure, clean, and ban. We probably all have different definitions for those terms, but having an agreed upon and reliable definition is critical in science and in effective communication. The dictionary would not exist if there wasn’t the need to understand the meaning of words and terms. Socrates (470–399 B.C.E.) is reported to have said “The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms”.
In exploring the world of Risk Science, there are five distinct but intermeshed aspects: Assessment, Characterization, Communication, Benefit/ Cost, and Management. The world of mineral “things of interest” explores and necessarily requires working definitions for 14
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concepts of “impurities vs. contaminants”, “asbestos, asbestiform, nonasbestiform”, “evolution of analytical methodologies for the detection and classification”, “evolution of occupational exposure regulations and standards”, “comparative assessment of exposure”, “ambient and background exposures”, and “low-level exposure”. Durable fibers, minerals, and EMPs are complicated and challenging subjects. At the core of exploring this subject, keep asking yourself, “What are we really trying to accomplish?” As a global society, giant strides on asbestos-related objectives have already been accomplished by banning friable products, regulating abatement and demolition, and eliminating the
mining of commercial amphiboles. Is the “new” focus on vilifying extremely low levels of residual mineral “things of interest” in bulk materials taking the concept of theoretical risk too far? If we focus on elusive natural “things of interest”, will we even see improvements in public health or reduced disease traditionally believed to be associated with asbestos?
We are a fearful species of not only what we create but also of what is natural, of life, and of death. Be a conscious citizen and participate in this dangerous, risky, and beautiful world. There is much to learn, appreciate, and enjoy.
Continuing Professional Development update Thirty five new members of FAAM were registered for the entire 2018 calendar year. This relatively small number limited the review of CPD performance. The number was not considered to be a large enough sample of the current membership to publish meaningful statistics of the points declared.
were just below the required
However, until we have a full set of
threshold number (6 or 10
figures from all members, it may
points are required, depending
be premature to instigate change.
on membership grade). Those
The main themes I would like to
declaring high numbers of points
see the CPD scheme develop are
extend the auditing assessment
(i) encouraging behaviours such as
while those just below the
participation in FAAM events and (ii)
thresholds may have good reason
communication of asbestos issues. As
(illness, work situations) which
a new society, we have a great deal
also require more questions and
of knowledge to communicate and
explanations, when considering a
hopefully meld into a professional
calendar year.
consensus, on what is good / best practice. CPD can be a progressive
As the current CPD system is the
The main issue that came to light was around the extremes of the distribution. Some members provided points totals in excess of 30, while one or two FAAM members points totals
same as used for other BOHS professionals, how we tackle these issues should initially be consistent but there are likely to be differences between FAAM and FOH, which may see the two CPD systems develop along slightly different lines.
tool to promote and achieve active participation by the membership in this endeavour. It would be great to hear if any members have other points on CPD they want to raise and how it should be applied in FAAM. Garry Burdett (FAAM Committee)
EXHIBITING AT FAAM CONFERENCE Phil Frank, Franks Portlock Consulting Franks Portlock is primarily an
devices called ‘Sentair’ for the
The range of speakers talking about
asbestos consultancy, carrying out
industry. We’re currently finalising the
the wider view on asbestos, its effects
survey and testing works across the
product for sale.
and current control measures is
UK. We cover all sector of industry currently and all sizes of buildings and structures within those sectors.
As an organisation we currently exhibit 2 or 3 times a year. I attended the FAAM conference with our
important for anyone involved in the delivery of inspection and testing services.
I am one of the directors and co-
product designer under the Sann
Logistically I felt there was adequate
founders of Franks Portlock, which
Innovation banner to promote
time to meet potential customers
we formed back in December 2006.
our Sentair devices. I felt it was
and discuss our devices in sufficient
Since then we’ve grown and are
particularly important to exhibit here
details for those that were interested.
currently looking to diversify into
given that is will be attracting the
other complimentary services.
leaders and decision makers within
One area I’ve been very interested in is the equipment used in the asbestos air testing sector which has not been updated for some. From this I formed Sann Innovation to enable us to focus an R&D project to design a newer smarter air sampling
FAAM NEWS
ISSUE 3
2019
the industry and, arguably, the most forward thinking.
The conference was well organised and aside from anything else, very informative.
For other exhibitors, I’d say ensure you push yourself forward and engage those who come by the stand rather than wait for them to engage you. Practical demonstrations, especially where unusual or interesting can help begin a conversation and are more attractive than a stand full of fliers and branded promo items.
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