The DMA does not issue exemptions for having asbestos containing materials (ACM) on board Danish vessels. Instead the below approach is taken.
The outlined guidance is mainly aimed towards owners/operators. ROs are hereby informed and able to guide owners/operators accordingly.
The DMA requires that if ACMs are found on board a ship, the owner/operator shall immediately take initiatives to protect the crew so that the crew, or any other person attending the ship, are not exposed to the ACM. DMA must be informed hereof without delay. The information shall be relayed to the DMA using cfs@dma.dk.
The following must be analysed and stated:
- Is there an acute health risk for the crew?
- Is there a health risk for the crew?
- Is there no risk to the health of the crew?
The ship-owner is required to prepare a risk analysis that answers the above three questions and outlines the ACM found on board. The risk analysis must include a material assessment and a priority assessment for each ACM found on board. The material assessment looks at the type and condition of the ACM and the ease which it will release fibres if disturbed. The priority assessment looks at the likelihood of someone disturbing the ACM.
Based on the risk assessment following steps shall be taken:
- In case of acute health hazards the ship will be detained and the crew shall be evacuated. The area containing asbestos shall be sealed off and the asbestos shall be removed immediately. The removal shall be documented by air measurements.
- In case of risk to the health: The ship-owner shall implement an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) with procedures for protection of the crew until the asbestos is removed, and after approval by DMA, the plan must be implemented. Until the implementation of the plan, the ship-owner must take any necessary steps to protect the health of anybody on board the ship concerned.
- In case of no risk to the health: The ship-owner shall develop an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) based on the risk assessment elaborating how and when the asbestos will be removed. The AMP shall be approved by the DMA, and the time limit for removal agreed.
In case of repair or maintenance associated with ACM, the crew must have undergone relevant training and instruction courses in accordance with Notice A, Chapter 2, Section C, Annex 2, Rule 19.2.
If removal/dismantling ACM is done by the ship’s crew or by persons ashore in Denmark, they must be educated in accordance with Notices A, Chapter 2, Section C, Appendix 2, Rule 19.1., which corresponds to the requirements of the Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA). If a foreign company in a non-Danish port carries out the removal/dismantling, the personnel must have a similar education, approved by the authority of the port state.