Asbestos Management Plan

Oceantech Shipping and Training Ltd in collaboration with Sanitas - Eurofins IHM possesses all the necessary know-how and technology to provide tailor-made solutions and an advanced Asbestos Management Plan  for different types of asbestos issues. Our IHM Asbestos Maintenance Plan (AMP) is applied after the completion of IHM (Inventory of Hazardous Materials) Report Part I.

The AMP (Asbestos Management Plan) tool describes the measures needed to create an asbestos-safe situation on vessels. In order to make the asbestos containing applications clearly visible to crew members and other third parties, all asbestos-suspect and asbestos containing applications/locations must be clearly marked. In all cases asbestos should be managed properly for safety reasons. The ultimate goal is to establish an asbestos free vessel. Oceantech experts in collaboration with Sanitas - Eurofins can assist towards this goal.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring, fibrous like silicates. It is gained by mining all over the world. Asbestos fibers have great strength and bear high temperatures and acid extracts. Asbestos is non-conductive for temperature, sound and electricity. Fibers are not soluble in liquid.

These characteristics make asbestos ideal to use in various products in the maritime and offshore industry. Asbestos is often used in installations, equipment and all kinds of construction materials. During the previous decades Asbestos was widely used as a building material with thousands of applications. However, the small fibers of Asbestos can penetrate the human body and cause life-threatening illnesses like lung cancer and mesothelioma. As a result materials that contain Asbestos have been prohibited in many countries for some time now.

Legal Framework

According to SOLAS ch. II-1, Regulation 3.5.2 - For all ships, new installation of materials which contain asbestos shall be prohibited.

  • For ships built after Jan - 01 - 2011, all materials which contain asbestos are prohibited and has to be removed in short term by certified company.
  • For ships built between July - 01 - 2002 and Jan - 01 - 2011, the asbestos containing materials should be removed in a period of 3 years.
  • For ships built before July - 01 - 2002, may contain asbestos if there is no specific health risks.

Our collaboration with Sanitas - Eurofins IHM can provide your company with a unique range of analytical testing services involving the shipping sector.

Hazards of Asbestos materials

Asbestos Advice

Asbestos Inventories

There is a legal requirement to have an asbestos inventory completed by an accredited research agency before work can be started in a building or other structure (eg ships, cars, trains). This only applies to structures built before 1994. The inventory must record and map the presence of asbestos containing materials.

At Eurofins you can call on Sanitas Environmental Consultancy. The inventory starts with a visual inspection and acquirement of suspicious materials. These results are compiled and processed into an asbestos inventory report. An inventory report is performed by one of our Asbestos Inventory Specialists (AIS). This colleague is fully qualified to carry out this specialized research.

Validation Measurements

Asbestos-containing construction materials are used in factories, schools, flats, low-cost housing, hospitals and also in ships, cars, trains and roads. During an asbestos inventory, the materials are classified in a risk class. This is done via the 'Stoffenmanager Asbest' (SMA-rt). SMA-rt is a digital application which uses an exposure database and classifies the risk of certain types of work that involves asbestos-containing materials.

The designated class then determines whether and how the remediation must be carried out. Classifying the materials present on ship greatly reduces the project lead time and costs.

Risk Assessment

The risk of exposure to Asbestos materials can be evaluated by a risk assessment strategy. By taking adhesive and air samples we can quickly determine the degree of Asbestos contamination on ship. Furthermore we can determine the level of Asbestos risk. The outcome of the risk assessment will determine whether it is necessary to have the Asbestos removed.

Our Asbestos Management Plan

Asbestos does not always have to be removed. It is often possible to create an asbestos-safe situation for the crew and the passengers of the ship, without extensive asbestos discharge. Our partner Sanitas - Eurofins IHM  has certified and experienced Asbestos experts, who can provide our customers with tailor made solutions for every asbestos issue and provide an Asbestos Management Plan. The plan will make clear to all parties concerned, about how the vessel can be used safely without damaging materials that contain Asbestos. We can also train your employees on Asbestos hazard issues thus increasing their awareness about such matters. In that way they will become more skilled at recognizing and assessing the risks involved. The course can be given in consultation at any location you specify.

Asbestos materials, testing and removal

Asbestos Analysis

Eurofins has extensive experience  in Asbestos testing methods. We use certified techniques for the quantitative and qualitative detection of Asbestos in materials, waste, water, air filters and adhesive samples.

Techniques in Asbestos Analysis

Asbestos fibers are not visible to the naked eye, but are detectable using light and polarization microscopy (PLM) as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Here, the presence of asbestos and the exact type is determined by examining specific properties, such as morphology, refractive index and chemical structure.

For more information about Asbestos testing procedures you can visit Eurofins Asbestos Testing.

You can also visit Batteryspray -Asbestos Removal.

Why Choose Eurofins - Oceantech for Asbestos Testing, Removal & Management Plan

The Asbestos analysis we conduct is characterized by short lead times, reliable delivery and excellent service.

Furthermore, we envision a collaboration where we can support your esteemed company together with SANITAS – Eurofins IHM and contribute to global health and safety, by providing high quality laboratory and advisory services.

Please feel free to contact us for more information about pricing and all the other procedures.

Tel: +30 2130337678

Email: oceantech@ost.gr