Asbestos Programs Officer

Any building in Manitoba that contains asbestos-containing building materials or any building in Ontario that contains friable asbestos-containing building materials requires an asbestos management program.

The asbestos management program is used as a tool or guide to manage the asbestos in place. As part of the asbestos management program, an "Asbestos Programs Officer" (APO) is to be appointed by the employer. The APO is responsible for the management of the program and documenting all asbestos disturbances, training and assessing all work that may disturb asbestos-containing materials.

In many cases the responsibility of the APO falls upon the facility engineer or the safety department. The responsibilities of the APO can typically be time consuming. The designated APO may not have the time to complete their regular duties as well as the duties of the APO.

Pinchin can assist in the APO duties. In most cases Pinchin has prepared the actual asbestos management program. A Pinchin manager, in consultation with the building maintenance or engineering department and the safety and health department can complete many of the responsibilities of the APO.

Pinchin as APO:

The following is a list of duties Pinchin can conduct as the APO (as applicable to the individual asbestos management program):

1. Be responsible for the overall administration and maintenance of the AMP.
   
   
2. Maintain documents required by the AMP, including copies of any Asbestos Work Reports, permits, correspondence with regulatory agencies, Improvement Orders, survey updates, worker training certificates, asbestos waste transportation manifests, site inspection reports, etc.
   
   
3. Respond to any report of asbestos debris, damage, or disturbance. Evaluate the condition and provide or initiate the necessary clean-up, removal, or repair as appropriate.
   
   
4. Ensure all departmental supervisors, maintenance and custodial staff are informed of the current location of all known asbestos-containing materials and are updated as conditions change or as these materials are removed.
   
   
5. Ensure all outside contractors or service personnel (ie. plumbers, custodial or maintenance firms, telephone service personnel, etc.) are informed of the presence of asbestos-containing materials within the building and provide them with and complete a Contractor's Notification & Acknowledgement form.
   
   
6. Ensure a duly signed and executed Asbestos Work Permit is issued to and completed by the Chief Engineer and Maintenance Supervisor and outside contractors prior to completing any scheduled asbestos abatement activities.
   
   
7. Ensure the appropriate individuals are notified in advance of any scheduled asbestos disturbances.
   
   
8. Conduct periodic and random inspection of activities that have the potential to disturb asbestos.
   
   
9. Co-ordinate and/or otherwise effect the removal or repair of any asbestos-containing materials which have been damaged and/or are otherwise in disrepair.
   
   
10. Update the asbestos survey report and files to reflect ongoing asbestos abatement projects.
    
    
11. Co-ordinate all asbestos abatement activities whether undertaken internally by Concordia Hospital's own employees or through an outside contractor.
    
    
12. Co-ordinate regular site inspections and air monitoring services during all scheduled asbestos disturbances. (Note inspection and air monitoring services for such work are not included in this fee proposal and would be quoted on a per project basis.)
    
    
13. Distribute inspection reports to appropriate individuals.
    
    
14. Ensure the asbestos abatement materials and supplies are maintained on-hand ready for use during any in-house asbestos abatement work. Select and order any necessary asbestos-related supplies. Purchase of equipment and supplies will be the responsibility of Concordia Hospital.
    
    
15. Arrange for the disposal of asbestos waste generated through asbestos abatement activities undertaken internally by Concordia Hospital's own employees.
    
    
16. Liaison with the appointed APO to ensure a smooth transition from Pinchin Environmental Ltd. management to Concordia in-house management.
    Consultation and design of abatement projects are not included in the APO service