Asbestos 3036 Fuse Carriers

[DizzyMaskell]

Did an inspection last week on clients site that had an old 3036 fuse board with the asbestos pads,

The company I work for do not test these until confirmed asbestos removed so we left site until this is done board changed etc,

Client has asked can we remove the flash pads until we can change the board in a planned maintenance shut down in a few month,

Their concern is that if a fuse blows no one can replace it without asbestos training etc and they have no one who can do this in house.

If they get an outside company to remove all the flash pads they can replace fuses if needed.

I have limited experience of these boards so though would research the issue just wanted other people's views on this, How would it affect the operation if the flash pad is removed and a fault occurs? forgive me if this is a stupid question

 

[wozz]

Company I worked for had loads removed never worried about the performance of the fuse, I was under the impression that from new not all had them so can't be a issue.

Your company could remove them with training insureance and equipment, which will probably mean you may as well get a non licensed asbestos contractor to do it for you / client. the cost of this may make them just say 'we will chance it till the shutdown' after all what have they done till now?!

 

[Technician]

I think I might be more concerned about the

prospective fault current than the asbestos

pads behind the wires.

 

[hxsarge]

Il remove them. 100quid.

 

[DizzyMaskell]

I think I might be more concerned about the prospective fault current than the asbestos

pads behind the wires.

This was my concern I am aware Ka is low on these style boards between 1-4Ka so was considering what will happen to the carrier should a big fault occur and carriers next to the one with the fault. As the asbestos was designed to contain the energy

 

[Technician]

Try and get an idea of the maximum

PFC and use this to persuade them

that a board change may be in their

best interest.

That way they can plan it as they wish.

You can get an asbestos specialist in

to advise. That may be cost effective.

 

[steptoe]

I'll do them,

 

[DizzyMaskell]

Thanks for advice guys gonna stick with instinct and just advise remove board ASAP

 

[batty]

Can they not be changed to cartridge fuses, Mem definitely do them for there boards.

 

[binky]

face mask, plastic bags, water spray to dampen dust, sort it out yourself. the type of asbestos isn't particularly dangerous and most local councils will dispose of waste for you.

 

[steptoe]

face mask, plastic bags, water spray to dampen dust, sort it out yourself. the type of asbestos isn't particularly dangerous and most local councils will dispose of waste for you.

not so sure if thats a good idea in a DB,,,,,,,,,

 

[Marvo]

....water spray to dampen dust

Not sure that water spray is advisable. If you feel it's necessary I'd IR test the panel before making it live again.

I can't believe there's so much hoo-har about a few asbestos flash pads. Just leave them alone, there isn't enough asbestos in them to worry about. They're designed to absorb the flash if a fuse breaks under a short fault, they also stop any carbon impregnating the area surrounding the fuse if it blows open. You're likely to cause more issues than you solve by removing them.

 

[Manator]

I have posted this before and perhaps we should have some HSE guidance note links posted as stickieshttp://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a33.pdf

They are freely available as downloads, perhaps we should have a section stickie for these publications has you suggest.

 

[wozz]

As mentioned in canoes link shadow vacuuming rather than wetting down.

 

[Marvo]

The publications you've linked are guidance, not mandatory.

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.

I still can't help thinking it's over the top for such a small amount of asbestos which is enclosed inside a fuse carrier and unlikely to become significantly airborne. It does sound like a good way to bump up the invoice however so I guess it's not all bad

 

[wozz]

Personally I wouldn't deviate from pretty much a method statement from the HSE when it comes to asbestos.

It is white asbestos but I would call it enclosed at all.

 

[Manator]

Asbestos unfortunately kills more electricians than other trades, with the obvious exception of those who were involved with the manufacture or tooling of the product. All asbestos should be treated with caution. Wetting down is not a viable solution because the water is then a contaminant. A conventional vac is also not a solution, the fibres can be let through the filters.

I was actually talking about this topic today with a fellow worker, as an apprentice we did cut up fibre boards for CU mounting, the workshop floor was full of fibres, and most of us ignored the requirement to wear a mask.

Complatency kills.

 

[steptoe]

Personally I wouldn't deviate from pretty much a method statement from the HSE when it comes to asbestos. It is white asbestos but I would call it enclosed at all.

how do you know?

and dont say you can see the colour of it.....

 

[binky]

not so sure if thats a good idea in a DB,,,,,,,,,

turn the leccy off first, then change the board. I also don't lick my fingers and stick them in sockets :^O

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was made at 22:34 ----------

Wetting down is not a viable solution because the water is then a contaminant. A conventional vac is also not a solution, the fibres can be let through the filters.

Asbestos dust is the killer, so dampening down prevents it getting airborne and is a lot safer than vacuum. Bag all damp cloths and dispose of with rest of waste.

 

[Manator]

turn the leccy off first, then change the board. I also don't lick my fingers and stick them in sockets :^O ---------- Post Auto-Merged at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was made at 22:34 ----------

Asbestos dust is the killer, so dampening down prevents it getting airborne and is a lot safer than vacuum. Bag all damp cloths and dispose of with rest of waste.

Water should only be used on the clean up, a class H vacuum should only ever be used around the asbestos to remove any air bourne fibres.