Asbestos Site Aid aims to help document hazards and make job sites safer
Working with industry leaders and contaminated land experts, CIRIA has developed an Asbestos Site Aid mobile app, the first of its kind, to help teams to access relevant guidance particularly while on site.
With over two million construction professionals in the UK currently working on site, and the demand for housing high on the agenda, the redevelopment of brownfield sites continues to rise, as does the need of constructors to enhance onsite health and safety procedures surrounding asbestos containing materials (ACM).
“We became involved in the project because it was a great way to tackle the problem literally at the first step. . . . With site workers being key to preventing the spread of ACMs during groundworks, we knew how vital it was for them to be a part of the process. The app is a way of sharing knowledge and preventing problems. It offers a simple solution to involve site workers in identifying hazards and benefits their health and wellbeing as much as it benefits the project.” Paula Grgich-Warke, Associate Director, Red Rock GEO
“I welcome any tool that can bring practical information to the fingertips of those most likely to come into contact with the material in their daily working lives.” David Rudland, Contaminated Land Officer, Swindon Borough Council
The app’s key features look to:
- Supply information on preparing to start work on site, which includes an interactive checklist
- Guides individuals through steps to take when encountering suspected ACM in soil or made ground on site
- Provides a photo gallery of ACM commonly found in soil to help teams in spotting potential ACM
- Enables site workers to record and pass on details and photographs of what they have found, allowing for easy integration into current procedures
- Help towards fulfilling information, instruction, and training (IIT) requirements, under Regulation 10 of control of Asbestos Regulation 2012 (CAR2012)
The app does not act as a replacement for asbestos awareness training but supports those onsite to safely execute their duties. Every user needs to ensure they have received appropriate training prior to using the app.
The Asbestos Site Aid will be available for individuals and organisations to buy on an annual licence basis. Further information and details of how to secure bulk downloads, please contact our customer services team on enquiries@ciria.org.
