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Holy mother - yea man, that's like asking, "Hey, I met this girl just now, and I wanna know in the next 5 minutes if I should marry her. What do I need to ask her?"User is spot on in his answer. I'll share a couple quotes and a good article about this. I've definitely made mistakes on missing key things. Credit investors are often trained to focus on every detail. Every line in a loan agreement or bond indenture matters. And these documents aren't even part of the main body of the 10-K or 10-Q. And then, they also have to go back through the 10-K or 10-Q to cross-check and look for material, important info that wasn't provided in the debt documents. The capital structure above the equity layer can vary quite a bit, meaning stakes or claims or "getting first dibs" on a company's cash flows can vary drastically within the debt part of the capital structure (i.e. senior debt, junior debt, secured debt, unsecured debt, guaranteed, non-guaranteed, etc.) whereas common equity below the debt part of the capital structure is just common equity; preferred equity is a hybrid but is rarer in $ volume than common stock or debt. So (respectable) credit investors have to read everything, even the supplementary filings. Interestingly enough, by doing this, I've actually found insights that a lot of equity investors did not find or were unaware of and was able to use it to buy and/or sell a stock before the equity markets priced in what the debt guys already knew.It's said that the credit market recognizes things ahead of the equity market. I would say that's generally true for various reasons (including having access to non-public investor and lender presentations at times), but primarily because of their laser focus on true, actual cash flow to service and support any existing and future debt. Check out this quote from the article below from an accomplished equity investor: "Kane is footnote hawk, too. He said it's in the footnotes that the company will give you a good description of their debt—the term, structure and different components of debt."Do you really want to buy a house without knowing whether any value of the house is collateral for an existing mortgage? Meaning, the bank has first dibs on that amount of value before you, Mr. Home Equity Owner who might be saying: "Hey, the price of this house sounds great at $20,000, so I'll buy it. (Then you look in the footnotes and fine print for the balance sheet of the house and realize a pre-existing mortgage of $100,000 means the house is underwater and essentially "belongs" to the bank until someone can fill that $80,000 hole. Or the bank must first write its debt claim by $80,000 for the house to be owned by Mr. Home Equity Owner at the $20,000 purchase price, free and clear of any debt.Furthermore, GAAP accounting used for 10-Ks and 10-Qs was made for keeping "operational performance" score based on certain accounting rules, many of which are based on non-cash expenses and adjustments for non-recurring and/or unusual expenses. Both of these factors are affected by a company management's "best judgement or estimation" (i.e. read: "bias" and "potential mis-representation"). EPS and Adjusted EPS is a GAAP metric that a lot of equity investors will trade and invest on, but it can be highly skewed by non-cash and/or "non-recurring" expenses that are actually recurring. Not saying the company's reported EPS and adjusted EPS aren't important, but if net income or net earnings. which is proxied by EPS and Adjusted EPS, doesn't turn out to be somewhat close to the free cash flow available to equity-holders or at the very least, cash flow from operations on the cash flow statement which is cash flows before any investments or (debt or equity) financing, especially in aggregate over several years - then that's something you need to pay attention to. This need for attention to detail for credit investors stems from the fact that they HAVE to be laser-focused on true, actual cash flow, which GAAP wasn't made for.Some quotes from accomplished investors Jim Rogers and Warren Buffett:Jim Rogers:“The best advice I ever got was on an airplane. It was in my early days on Wall Street. I was flying to Chicago, and I sat next to an older guy. Anyway, I remember him as being an old guy, which means he may have been 40. He told me to read everything. If you get interested in a company and you read the annual report, he said, you will have done more than 98% of the people on Wall Street. And if you read the footnotes in the annual report you will have done more than 100% of the people on Wall Street. I realized right away that if I just literally read a company’s annual report and the notes — or better yet, two or three years of reports — that I would know much more than others. Professional investors used to sort of be dazzled. Everyone seemed to think I was smart. I later realized that I had to do more than just that. I learned that I had to read the annual reports of those I am investing in and their competitors’ annual reports, the trade journals, and everything that I could get my hands on. But I realized that most people don’t bother even doing the basic homework. And if I did even more, I’d be so far ahead that I’d probably be able to find successful investments.”Source: Best advice I ever gotWarren Buffett:Source: 2002 BRK Annual Shareholder Letter"How to read a 10-K like Warren Buffett"Elizabeth MacBride, Special to CNBC US HomeMonday, 27 Jan 2014 | 10:31 AM ET CNBC US HomeIf you think you can be a great investor, you'd better enjoy working with one of the principal tools of the trade: the 10-K. Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett has said he loves to curl up with companies' annual reports. When asked how to get smarter, Buffett once held up stacks of paper and said he "read 500 pages like this every day. That's how knowledge builds up, like compound interest."Indeed, smart fund managers think of 10-K's as puzzles or treasure hunts and relish the chance to dig through even the microscopic footnotes.Individual investors may not have the same advantage as a fund manager, who looks at hundreds of these filings year after year. So to help the individual investor know what to look for when considering stocks for their portfolio and when reviewing the outlook for current stock holdings, CNBC interviewed three experts from major fund companies: Christopher Bartel, head of global equity research at Fidelity Investments, who oversees a team of 136 analysts covering 2,236 companies; Daniel Kane of the three Artisan Partners Asset Management Value Funds, a group that has been recognized by Lipper and Institutional Investor in recent years for its performance; and W. Lee Norton, a senior investment analyst in Vanguard Group's portfolio review department.A final word to the wise: If you don't enjoy the depth of research described by these managers, you might want to consider whether stock picking is the best use of your time. You probably won't be a great investor unless you love 10-K's enough to want to read them on a plane trip."We all love it," Kane said. "It's a passion we have. When we hop on a plane, we take a 10-K along. We stuff a few in the bag and go."What is the most telling part of the 10-K?Bartel said the Management Discussion and Analysis, or MD&A, is where the company will talk about everything from the financial requirements to exposures to different types of risks. You start to put together how the company works. "I can anticipate how the company starts to perform in different environments, because I know what the levers are."The chairman's letter is a good place to begin, Kane said. "Reading those throughout the course of time really gives you an insight. I read at least 10 years of 10-K's. ... Did management execute and implement those strategies? Did they fail? When you find a management team that's willing to give you the unvarnished truth, you get a good idea of how transparent they are."Kane is a footnote hawk, too. He said it's in the footnotes that the company will give you a good description of their debt—the term, structure and different components of debt. You'll also find information about the company's off-balance sheet liabilities, operating leases, legal liabilities and potential M&A earnouts—future payments promised to former owners of acquired businesses based on sales targets.The "risk factors" section of the 10-K is one of the most potentially useful sections in highlighting areas in which many investors may not be fully aware, Norton said. Most of the language is standard risks, but discussion of client concentration or dependence on a certain product may be not as well understood. "I looked at Target's 10-K, and "significant data security breach" is highlighted as a risk factor!" Norton said.Where else should you go 10-K hunting?The cash flow statement is the truth serum, Bartel said, pointing to WorldCom as a classic example. They reported tremendous income growth, he said, but if you looked at cash flow net of investing, they were actually hemorrhaging cash. If they're reporting cash flow from operations that's below the net income, he explained, you have to ask what the company is having to invest to achieve that cash flow."You think you can borrow money forever and continue to grow? Ultimately you're going to just run out of money," Bartel said. "But for a time, you can look great."The "properties" section reported can be helpful in identifying hidden assets where the current value is not reflected on the balance sheet, Norton said. And "legal proceedings" is important because the risk from any outstanding lawsuits are downplayed publicly but given more direct treatment here."Anything the company lists as potentially having a 'material' impact should be fully explored," Norton explained.Kane went even further on the subject of digging into risk factors. What he finds most interesting is the change in prioritization of risk factors. He gave as an example Lululemon, the maker of yoga pants. "In 2011 one of the risks was maintaining the value of the brand. Risk No. 9. In 2012 that became risk No. 1," Kane noted.In 2013 Lululemon had a major problem with one of their lines of yoga pants when users complained that the pants became transparent when stretched—it cost the chairman of the company his position after he tried to downplay the issue. It was also one of the key items that affected the stock price. But Kane said it wasn't necessarily all negative. "That's sort of transparency two ways. Because they made changes to address it, in essence it probably was a good sign [they were aware of the risk]."And don't forget about market risks. The "quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk" can be helpful, particularly for a commodity price–sensitive company. If you are looking at a trucking company, for example, it could give you a sense of how a certain change in gasoline prices could impact earnings.What are some big red flags in a 10-K?A company whose message is changing from year to year is never a good sign. New risk factors, for example, are a red flag, Bartel said. Say a big industrial company suddenly adds an environmental liability, like asbestos liability. Or it could be a patent lawsuit, he said, explaining, "If there's a change, that's because the lawyers told them they had to put that in there." You should also be wary anytime you see a change in the accounting practices. "If it's a more aggressive revenue recognition, that's a real red flag," Bartel said. For example, an impairment charge, or a big change in reserves. "That's going to cause me to think: 'They massively overpaid for that.' It's going to cause me to question that management team," he said. Kane also has an eagle eye for any change in accounting principles. In today's environment, companies report adjusted earnings. In the 10-K, earnings are re-reported and adjusted again. "We call them 'chiropractic reasonings,'" Kane said. "The earnings are always adjusted for some reason or another." For instance, they'll make an assumption about what the tax rate will be at the end of the year. At the end of the year, you might have to true those numbers up.An obvious, and big, red flag is a change in auditors, Norton said.Does it matter how much CEOs are paid?The 10-K is accompanied by the proxy statement, which shows how much executives are compensated.Yet it's not the often headline-generating huge paycheck figure as much as the amount in which executives have invested personally in the company that is telling. "That's absolutely critical," Bartel said. Security ownership by senior executives shows if their interests are aligned with shareholders. "I would suggest investors never read a proxy before lunch, because it will ruin your appetite," Kane said. "You can find some very interesting things."Take compensation. "They'll give you a list of metrics. A growth company will give you things like, 'We want to increase sales by 20 percent,'" Kane said. As value investors, Artisan is attracted to companies that have managers who are focused on factors such as cash flow, return on invested capital, and operating profit, he explained. "You get what you incentivize people to do."When it comes to executive perks, the 'other' category is useful for detecting abuse of company resources, such as aircraft, private cars and company real estate. Norton said this info was not disclosed as well in the past but now is much better. The "certain relationships" section can also be informative in disclosing any conflicts—for example, a company using a CEO's brother as a big supplier.Kane also likes to review the resumes of the management team for clues in the culture of how they manage a business. For instance, Apache is an oil and gas company. Anybody that's worked at Apache over the course of their career is inculcated with a certain style of management that focuses on return on capital. They carry that with them wherever they go. "If I see someone that worked at Apache, I know that's a sign," Kane said.Bartel agreed, claiming that researching the directors and their backgrounds can give you a sense of whether the company is being properly managed.—By Elizabeth MacBride, Special to CNBC US HomeSource: http://www.scmessina.com/

Many years ago a friend of mine wrote a book, The Wonder that IS India. Both of us have lived more for than 30 years in the Land of the Bharatiyas and share a love for this nation. When he showed me the manuscript of his book, I had pointed out that his representation of India was too rosy and suggested one more chapter -- 'The Horror that is India'. I think he did.I have the same feelings for India today: 95 per cent is good, but there are some aspects that I am still not able to swallow, even after all these years. I have listed ten of them. Even if it does not change anything, at least some of my frustrations will be released while penning them down.Before I begin, I must first say that during a recent visit to France, it was a pleasant surprise to see that India's image is fast changing in the West. When I left France in the early 1970s to settle in India, my family and friends considered it a shocking decision. To leave France, a 'developed' country and emigrate to the end of the world to a 'land of misery' populated 'by elephants and cobras' was unimaginable!I was told that for a student in France today, it was of great added-value on his CV, if he had undergone training or internship in India. This 'Indian' wave has been reinforced since Mittal Steel tried to purchase Arcelor, the jewel of the French steel industry.Though the nation has grown and matured over the last few decades, unfortunately not all domains have followed the same evolution.Here is my list of the 10 things I still can't 'digest' about India:1. Power cuts: While typing this article, the electricity board cut off the power supply. The reason -- a storm last night which lasted for 15 to 20 minutes. 'As a precautionary measure' the officials very compassionately disconnected vast areas from the network in the night and the following morning.Being in rural Tamil Nadu, these officials want to protect us from broken wires due to fallen trees (it could electrocute passersby, they say). While I appreciate their reasoning, I was surprised to see that during the cyclonic rains in New Orleans last year, though thousands perished, electricity was not switched off. Indian officials will tell you that the US is a rich and developed country, not comparable to India. Where is the connection?2. Indian babus: One could write volumes on the famous babus of India. They run one of the largest bureaucracies in the world, but have not been able to change their mindset.A particularly bothersome aspect is that their laws often come from antiquated rules and regulations that nobody knows of. The consequence is what we call red-tapism, though for them it is 'implementing the letter, the law of the land'. But what about its spirit? In any case, the law has always to 'follow its own course'.A few years ago, a diligent minister found hundreds such laws and regulations dating back to the British. In the era of modern technology and communications, this is preposterous.Another aspect that irritates me about the bureaucracy is that babus never respond to letters. Probably they consider themselves to be the government's servants, not 'civil' servants and therefore find no need to reply to ordinary citizens.3. No access to historical documents: Though a better understanding of the history of the subcontinent could be one of the keys to disentangle difficult problems such as the Kashmir issue, today nobody can access primary sources. They are locked away in the vaults of the Nehru Memorial Library or the almirahs of South Block.All those who have tried to access historical documents since India's independence will tell you that till the end of babudom, one bureaucrat or another will ensure that you do not access the dusty files. Without fail, you will be courteously informed that India's security and integrity will be endangered if these precious documents are opened to the public. It is sad that Indians are not entitled to study their past (though they can always visit archives in the West to know more about India!)4. Discrimination against the white tourist: Something particularly irritating for a 'white man' is that wherever he goes in India, he has to pay a special rate. Whether he visits the Taj Mahal where the 'white' tourist has to cough up Rs 750 to see the mausoleum, or a national museum, or even hotels or airlines, there is a true racial discrimination.Rates are often ten times higher for those who have a 'white' or 'yellow' (Japanese) skin. Those who have made these rules do not understand that this policy harms India's image.The desire to make a quick buck from the so-called rich tourists leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of the visitors who in any case would have spent their budget during the stay in India. To my knowledge, India must be the only nation in the world implementing these separate rates.5. Paranoia about maps: Another strange thing in India is the paranoia about maps. Several years ago I visited the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. One day I was invited to the office of a local tahsildar. To my astonishment, the poor babu did not have a map of the area under his jurisdiction. He only had a vague sketch of the district. When I expressed surprise, he explained that maps were 'classified' and only the army was authorised to use them.Is it not foolish to believe that the Chinese do not possess detailed maps of Arunachal? And what about Google Earth which is now available the world over?One can only be surprised by this 'official' paranoia about maps. India is today a great power; technological advancements have occurred in the world during the past decades and will undoubtedly continue to occur and India has no choice but to accept them and make the best use of them.A year ago, the Union Cabinet approved a new National Map Policy, but unfortunately, the mindset of the implementers remains the same.6. And photographs: The paranoia is not about maps alone, it extends to photos, particularly of the sites under the Archeological Survey of India. A friend told me of her nightmarish experience while doing research in Chennai and the number of forms she had to fill to take some photos in a museum. Though one pays in hard currency, one has still to justify why one needs a particular photo. The poor researcher is looked upon as someone trying to 'steal' the national patrimony.In contrast, a few weeks earlier, I visited the Louvre museum in Paris which receives tens of thousands of visitors every day. All of them were happily clicking away at statues, paintings, art artefacts (it is only prohibited to photograph the Mona Lisa for security reasons) and amongst them, a great number of Indians, perhaps the most frenetic clickers. This is understandable, as they have to compensate for their frustration at home!A French television crew told me about their adventure while trying to shoot in a fort once occupied by Rajaji (C Rajagopalachari). Before leaving Paris, they had planned a short sequence at the fort. They dutifully applied to the Indian embassy for permission. After paying a hefty Rs 5,000 they were given a stamped and signed permission. When they arrived on the spot, the local official told them: "No way, as your permission does specifically mention it, you are not authorised to shoot with a stand. You have to go to Chennai (150 km away) and get the permission duly modified. No problem, it will take you a day only!" They left disgusted, the fort will not appear in their film.7. Politicians: The topic of politicians is an easy one. Everything appalling and more can be said of them and one will still remain below the truth. In their defense, they are part of a system which is uniquely based on votes.To win votes, one needs money and all compromises are permissible to get the required funds 'to serve the people'. It is true the world over, but here like in many other domains India excels.8. Neglect for the environment: Another frustrating aspect for me is the lack of care for the environment (though it has been recently improving). While Indians are the most conscious people as far as personal hygiene goes, there is very little civic awareness or concern for the environment.Education could help (for example for disposal of garbage or plastic bags), but it is often government policies such as free electricity for farmers, incentives for asbestos sheets (one of the most carcinogenic material) or chemical pesticides which harm the environment the most.9. Traffic: I hate the Indian traffic (with its absence of rules). Each time I return from a visit abroad, it is a terrible shock. It is difficult to comprehend how there are not more casualties on the road. A friend explained to me that the multitude of gods in India probably protect their flock. The fact is that there are no law enforcement authorities (most of the police force is busy with VIP duty).In France and elsewhere if the cops were not around, very few would follow the traffic rules. Extremely severe punishment for breaking traffic rules has a strong dissuasive effect. Here in India, you can always get away with a few rupees.10. Corruption: It is better to not comment.Please allow me to add a last point: the number of 'holidays' taken for a myriad of family 'problems', (marriages, engagements, funerals, etc.), cultural, local or religious festivals (of all faiths: India is secular), then you have bandhs, hartals, riots, strikes (India is the only place in the world where the government sometimes calls for a strike), etc... The worst are 'French leaves', absolutely unknown in France.Apart from the above, India is an incredible place and I have never regretted, even for one day, to have settled here.This person, known as Nirmal Baba, has thousands & thousands of followers. What does he do? He holds public meetings, popularly known as Nirmal Darbars, which are aired across 40 channels on national television. In these public meetings, he solves ordinary people's problems.Not able to find yourself a job? Short in height? Or perhaps you are looking for a beautiful wife. Do not worry! Nirmal Baba is here!!Here is an example of one of his absolutely insightful solutions :Devotee: Baba, I need your blessings. I’m deep in debt and there seems no way out. My personal life is full of troubles. Please help!Nirmal Baba: Hmm. Why is this ‘Sports Shoe’ flashing up in my head? Do you wear sport shoes?Devotee: No baba, there’s no reason for me to wear sport shoes. I only wear sandals.Nirmal Baba: When was the last time you wore sport shoes?Devotee: I don’t remember exactly, Babaji. Maybe about 5-6 years ago.Nirmal Baba: Buy a nice pair of sport shoes for yourself. Godly powers will start showering their blessings on you.Devotee: (Now that he’s got the master fix for his problems) Babaji, I will. Please keep showering your blessings on me and my family. (Begins to retire from scene)Nirmal Baba: Hold on! Why is this ‘Snake’ flashing in my head?Devotee: (Stops) : I’m afraid of snakes, Babaji.Nirmal Baba: Go to nearest Shiv-Mandir and donate : Rs. 5001 and Cow-Milk to the temple. All your problems will be solved.Audience (Claps) because Nirmal Baba’s got the most complete ‘fix’ for the devotee!If you are looking for a dose of laughter, you could have a look at this video (in Hindi) :As if his earnings through these Nirmal Darbars was not enough, he gets huge donations from his followers for his ashirwaad (blessings) .His personal wealth is estimated to be around Rs.600 crores (more than 100 million US $). And he is not the only one. There are a large number of these self-proclaimed godmen, who are probably not as funny as Nirmal Baba, but are as much fraud none the less.In contrast to them, there are people like her :She is P.T. Usha. Her achievements :Became the first Indian woman to reach the final of an Olympic event.Won 5 gold medals and 1 bronze in 1985, at the Jakarta Asian Athletic meet.Won 4 golds in 1986, Seoul Asian Games, claiming for herself the title of Asia's sprint queen.Has won 101 international medals so far.Her voice would only be heard after she broke down in tears during an interview due to the shabby accommodation provided to her by the sports authorities.She is not alone either, the way in which Indian athletes are treated is pathetic. While the Nirmal Babas earn crores daily through generous donations alone, Indian athletes have a tough time finding someone who would sponsor them so that they can train themselves.

taken from my construction training notes when I use to instruct with L5/6 Dip Level and CITB L1 through to 4 & Supervisor levelenjoy:What is an asbestos risk register? The asbestos risk register is a key component of the required plan on how you will manage any asbestos found, or presumed to be, in your buildings. This management plan must contain current information about the presence and condition of any asbestos in the building.What should an asbestos management plan contain?The Asbestos Management Plan should be a simple, understandable document that addresses:who is responsible for managing asbestos;the asbestos register (the asbestos survey information) you have just made;plans for work on asbestos materials (if any);the schedule for monitoring the asbestos materials' condition;Asbestos Management PlanThe Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require every non-domestic property to have an Asbestos Management Plan. This document is intended to explain how the person responsible for the building, the Duty Holder, intends to manage the asbestos present to prevent persons being exposed to the asbestos.Unfortunately this is not a one-off job for it will be required for as long as you have asbestos-containing materials present in your buildings.The Asbestos Management Plan should be a simple, understandable document that addresses:who is responsible for managing asbestos;the asbestos register (the asbestos survey information) you have just made;plans for work on asbestos materials (if any);the schedule for monitoring the asbestos materials' condition; andtelling people who might disturb the asbestos about your decisions.Duty to Manage Asbestos“Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK ” - Health and Safety Executive.The Duty to Manage Asbestos is contained in Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It applies to non-domestic premises.Its effect is to ascribe duties to persons in control of non-domestic properties in order to achieve two basic goals:Persons working in a property or visiting that property will not be exposed to asbestos.Persons required to do work upon the property will be advised of the presence of asbestos so that they can avoid it or, if adequately trained, work on it appropriately.There will always be a Duty Holder in a non-domestic property, be that the Owner, the Manager of a company renting the property or a Head Teacher in a school. The Duty Holder is the person who has control of work upon the fabric of the building.What we do for the Duty Holder:Provide the Asbestos Survey so that an Asbestos Register can be compiledWrite the Asbestos Management Plan that describes how it will be managedAdvise on remediation where required and provide Asbestos Removal Project Management servicesProvide Asbestos TrainingProvide on-going advice as requiredControl of Asbestos Regulations 2012The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 apply to all work with asbestos in the UK. The accompanying Approved Code of Practice L143 describes in detail how such work should be carried out. The Regulations state that whilst work with asbestos is a licensed activity, certain low risk work can be undertaken without a licence, although some of that work still requires a notification to be made.The most important point that the Regulations require is appropriate asbestos training for the type of work anticipated. If you or your employees are going to undertake work with asbestos you must have appropriate recent training. If you are going to employee someone to work on your asbestos you need to determine that they have such training.Even if persons are not intending to work with asbestos but are going to work on the fabric of your building then they should have UKATA Asbestos Awareness Training to help them recognise possible asbestos and to know how to respond if they accidentally disturb what maybe asbestos.The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require that every non-domestic property should have an Asbestos Management Plan that details how the person responsible for the maintenance of a building, the Duty Holder, will proceed to ensure that persons are not exposed to asbestos.How often do asbestos registers need to be updated?All asbestos registers must also be reviewed and revised at least every five years, even if there have been no changes.Asbestos registers - AsbestosAsbestos in Victoria › in-the-workplace › information-about-asbestos-re...Search for: How often do asbestos registers need to be updated?5. Inspect your buildingThis is known as a 'management survey'. The aim is to produce an 'asbestos register' which says where asbestos is located or where there might be asbestos.For small premiseseg workshop, trading estate unit, office, shop.If you follow these steps correctly, your own inspection is normally sufficient to make an asbestos register.For larger premiseseg more than 25 employees, more than a few workrooms, or if you are unsure.You may decide to employ a competent asbestos surveyor. (See link on right)Inspecting your buildingNB. See 'Further information' (below) and 'Related links' (right) to help you complete thisCopy or draw a plan of the building.Example site plan [78KB] PDFWalk round and look.Get some help - a second pair of eyes is always useful.Mark on the plan what contains, or might contain asbestos.Checklist - Places and materials that can contain asbestosList of product brands containing asbestosSee also - related links on rightPrint a blank asbestos register.Blank asbestos register to print out [51KB] PDFBlank asbestos register to save - MS Word version [51KB] Word documentNote down each material that might contain asbestos. Note how much there is and its condition (good/poor)Where you can't get access, eg a roof void, wall cavity, presume that this contains asbestos. Note this down in the register.When your inspection has finished, complete your asbestos register.Add the date and sign it.Example of a completed asbestos register [68KB] PDFKey pointDo not disturb any material that might contain asbestos.SummaryIf a building contains asbestos, a management plan must be in place to ensure that everyone using the building is protected against exposure to it. To assess such risks the asbestos must be located and its condition identified so that anyone who may have to work on, or near, the asbestos can understand where it is. The record of the asbestos present on the site is called the asbestos register.This topic outlines how to develop and maintain this legally required information, including what information is required, how it should be formatted so that it is easy to understand by those who need access to it and how to ensure it is kept up to date.Employers' DutiesEmployers have a general duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees under the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974. Asbestos materials should be considered as a potential risk. A knowledge and record of their existence is a first step in managing that risk.Other regulations, such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, relate to identification and management of risks within the workplace.Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR) employers are required to identify the asbestos type for any workers liable to be exposed to asbestos and keep a record, such as a register, of the asbestos present.Regulation 4 of CAR imposes a duty to manage asbestos on those who, by virtue of a contract or tenancy, have maintenance or repair obligations for non-domestic premises or any means of access thereto or egress from.Further, in relation to any part of non-domestic premises where there is no such contract or tenancy a duty will be placed on those parties who have control of that part or any means of access thereto or egress therefrom. A wide range of people may therefore have obligations under regulation 4 such as owners, occupiers, managing agents, architects and surveyors. Where there is more than one duty holder the contribution to be made by each duty holder will be determined by the nature and extent of their maintenance and repair obligations (eg through contracts/tenancy obligations).The duty to manage, in particular, requires duty holders to assess the location of asbestos, keep a record of the assessment, assess the risks associated with any asbestos and then prepare a written plan to manage the risk. Information regarding the location and condition of any asbestos must be provided to every person liable to disturb it and to emergency services. Compliance with regulation 4 of CAR will require a thorough approach to the searching out and documentation of the suspected asbestos materials, ie the creation of an asbestos register. Procedures will need to be put in place to communicate this information to all necessary groups and individuals.In PracticeThe Place of the Asbestos RegisterAsbestos-related diseases are the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Consequently, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR) require employers and those who manage non-domestic premises to protect those who work in such premises (or who use them in other ways) from the risks to ill health that exposure to asbestos causes. Regulation 4 of CAR is designed to make sure that anyone who carries out work in non-domestic premises (or anyone who occupies the premises) is not harmed from exposure to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that may be present. The regulation imposes a duty to manage asbestos on those who, by virtue of a contract or tenancy, have maintenance or repair obligations either for non-domestic premises or for any means of access thereto or egress therefrom.The duty to manage the risk from asbestos, in particular, requires duty holders to:assess the location of asbestosassess the Management Surveykeep a record of the assessmentassess the risks associated with any asbestos.Duty holders are then required to prepare a written asbestos management plan. Information regarding the location and condition of any asbestos must be provided to every person liable to disturb it and to emergency services.Once the management survey has located where asbestos is present, or is presumed to be present, and its condition has been determined, the results should be recorded in an “asbestos register”. The asbestos register should then become an integral part of the asbestos management plan, and should be part of the arrangements that are in place to inform every person liable to disturb the asbestos about the location and condition of any asbestos before they start work.Compiling the Asbestos RegisterThe duty holderRegulation 4 of CAR places responsibilities on the duty holder. Normally this will be the employer; however, a wide range of people may have obligations under regulation 4 such as owners, occupiers, managing agents, architects and surveyors. Where there is more than one duty holder the contribution to be made by each duty holder will be determined by the nature and extent of their maintenance and repair obligations.The basic contentThe register should record the asbestos present on the site. It should enable those who work on the site to identify easily where the asbestos materials are located.The asbestos register should include an accurate drawing of the premises. Details of any area not accessed or inspected should be recorded and unless there is strong evidence that it does not contains ACMs, the area must be assumed to contain ACMs — this must be stated in the register.The record and drawing should contain details of the locations of the ACMs, their extent, condition and forms. Other than this, there is no set format for the asbestos register; however, it should include:the name of the duty holderthe address of the sitea description of the areas covered by the asbestos register [& Photo’s attached to file]details of who is responsible for maintaining the asbestos registerFor each ACM located the following basic details should also be included in the register.Exact location of each ACM: each location should have a unique and straightforward means of identifying it so that there can never be any confusion as to the presence of an ACM.The product and what it looks like: eg is it asbestos insulation board, asbestos cement, etc; is it painted and if so, what colour?The asbestos type: is it crocidolite, another type of amphibole, chrysotile or is it unknown and presumed to be asbestos?The certainty that asbestos is present: Has it been identified? Is it presumed or strongly presumed?The extent of the ACM: What is the relevant area, length, thickness and volume?The condition of the ACM: Is it damaged or showing signs of deterioration?Surface treatment: Is one present?All register entries should show the date they were entered, when they were last updated and when they are due for review.Description of the locationThe description of the exact location of the ACM must be unambiguous and can be based on the height related to the floor, combined with compass points. Descriptions such as “2m above floor level, north wall” (for a wall pane) or “trench 0.1m below floor level, parallel to west wall” (for pipework) are far more accurate and less prone to misinterpretation.Where equipment contains asbestos, the usual location of the item should be recorded and in case it is moved, any unique detail that could identify the equipment, such as serial number or dimensions, should also be added. A comment on the mobility of the equipment may also be of use, particularly if it is regularly moved within the site (ie a small kiln in a manufacturing plant).In addition to the written description of the location of the ACM drawings, sketches, plans or photographs can assist in the description of the ACM’s location.Identification limitsThe limitations of the certainty of the presence of asbestos should be stated within the asbestos register. For example, if the survey on which the initial register document is based was non-invasive, then the register will have to state:what assumptions have been madewhat asbestos has been specifically identifiedin which areas asbestos has been assumed to exist because sampling or inspection was not possible or was not carried out.Where materials have been sampled and analysed, brief details should be entered in the register.Condition of the asbestosThe condition of the ACM is critical in assessing the risks to those who may be exposed to asbestos. The description of the condition of an ACM should enable an assessment of its potential to release asbestos fibres into the air. The description of the ACM should note whether the ACM is in good condition or, if not, the amount of damage or deterioration. Points to note are whether:there are loose asbestos fibres exposedthe surface of the material is damaged, frayed or scratchedthe surface sealants are intact or are peeling/breaking offthere is evidence for the ACM becoming detached from its base (a particular problem with pipe and boiler lagging and sprayed coatings)there is asbestos dust or debris from damage near the materialThe presence of surface applications should be noted. As these can greatly reduce the possibility of exposure, the need for removal will be greatly reduced and only occasional checks to ensure that its condition remains intact will be required. Any terms used in the register (ie trade names) to describe the nature of the surface protection that are not completely straightforward should be clearly explained.Survey limitationsIf an area could not be, or is not, surveyed, it must be assumed for the purposes of the register that an ACM is present in that area. Asbestos can be hidden in a wide variety of places where only the most rigorous and destructive of surveys will reveal it. The register must state quite clearly that an area or item could possibly contain asbestos, because it was not possible or reasonable to investigate it.Examples of where materials may be hidden include where they have been over-clad, such as damaged wall panels or hidden below layers of insulation, eg pipe lagging debris below mineral fibre insulation in roof spaces.Material and priority scoring toolsThe Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that each entry in the asbestos register should include a:material scorepriority score.These are obtained by using the Material and priority scoring tools on the HSE website. If the ACM is in good condition its material and priority scores are 1 for both. If it is not in good condition the scores are obtained by using the Material and priority scoring tools.Obtaining the Priority score involves allocating scores of 0 to 3 for the:“main type of activity in area”“likelihood of disturbance” (which is the average of the scores for the factors: location, accessibility and extent/amount)“human exposure potential” (which is the average of the scores for: number of occupants, frequency of use of area and average time area is in use)“maintenance activity” (which is the average of the scores for type of maintenance activity and frequency of maintenance activity).The Priority scoring tool gives examples of scoring each factor. As an example for the main type of activity in area, “rare disturbance activity” will score 0, low disturbance activities will score 1, periodic disturbance will score 2 and high levels of disturbance will score 3.The Priority score is obtained by adding the four scores together.The Material score is obtained by adding the scores allocated for the following.Product type — for which asbestos reinforced composites score 1, whereas loosely packed asbestos such as pipe and boiler lagging score 3. Extent of damage/deterioration, for which there is no visible damage scores 0 and high damage or delamination scores 3.Surface treatment — for which composite materials containing asbestos score 0; unsealed laggings and sprays score 3.Asbestos type — for which chrysotile scores 1; amphibole asbestos excluding crocidolite scores 2 and crocidolite scores 3.The two scores can be used to determine which work to carry out first. The ACM with the highest priority score should be tackled first and if two ACMs have the same priority score, the one with the higher material score should be carried out first.TerminologyTechnical or peculiar building terms may not be familiar to all users of the asbestos register. For example, features such as soffits, fascia boards, lagging and fire stopping may need further explanation. Any terms that may cause confusion should be clearly defined, both in the document at their point of first use, and preferably in a separate glossary of terms. The register could include a summary of regularly used terms to avoid confusion.Common forms of asbestos materials, such as asbestos cement and asbestos insulating board are frequently referred to using the acronyms AC and AIB alone. The meanings of these acronyms must always be obvious and easily referenced, if required. As a rule, the acronym should be redefined at the beginning of each section of the document, the first time it is used. Trade names of ACMs are fast becoming forgotten and should be replaced with a generic description.Other contents of the asbestos registerAfter the basic information has been included in the asbestos register, the following are other topics that can be included.Options availableThere would be benefit in including possible management courses of action as part of the register to help with action plans and work prioritisation. The different options for action that are available include:inspectseal and manage [with a sealant paint without disturbing the asbestos]label and reassessmanage in short term and remove in the long termprogramme to removeurgent removal required.Inspection regimesWhere a material is subject to regular inspection, the register may be used to note the date of the last inspection and the date of the due inspection.Photographic recordsInclusion of photographs in the register is useful to help others locate materials that may be concealed or disguised. They also provide a record of the condition of a material and are less open to misinterpretation than written descriptions. Increasingly, photographs are either taken using a digital camera or scanned so that they can be included in documents stored on a computer.Information from other sourcesIn some buildings the management survey may not be 100% successful in uncovering all asbestos on a site. However, other information sources can provide information on the possibility of the presence of ACMs if needed. These sources, which may include the building specification, records of remedial works and building refurbishment projects, can be included in the asbestos register.Non-asbestos materialsA note in the register can be of benefit where non-asbestos materials have been used in positions commonly occupied by asbestos materials. Locations where asbestos removal work and reinstatement have been carried out (eg replacement of an asbestos door panel or replacement of an asbestos cement sheet with an asbestos-free product) may generate enquiries every time redecoration works are planned. If information is available within the register, this can prevent unnecessary and costly re-inspections.In-house asbestos proceduresIt may be useful to include reference to the site asbestos procedures and brief notes on:the responsibilities of the employer and employeesprocedures for register maintenance and updatingthe asbestos management regimes employedany emergency procedures or permit-to-work systems that may be in force.The Asbestos Register in the Management PlanOnce produced, the asbestos register will be an integral part of the asbestos management plan. The plan should also include information on:who is responsible for managing asbestosthe plans for any work on asbestos-materialsthe schedule for monitoring the materials' condition.The plan should also specify the arrangements for managing ACMs in the building and informing every person liable to disturb the asbestos.Instructions should be included in the plan highlighting that any work on the fabric of the building cannot be allowed to start without the relevant parts of the record/register having being checked, as well as details on how this will be achieved.The plan should include details of the procedures and arrangements to make sure the:asbestos register is checked in good time before the work startsinformation on the presence of asbestos has been understoodcorrect controls will be usedwork will be carried out by competent asbestos-trained contractors.Provision of InformationAn essential part of the duty to manage under CAR is making sure that information on the location and condition of any ACMs is passed on to contractors and any other workers who may carry out work on the fabric of the building that could damage or disturb asbestos. Copies of the asbestos register, or relevant parts of it, should be used to inform every person liable to disturb an ACM or be affected by the presence of an ACM. Copies should be given to:employees, particularly maintenance staff, and their representativesvisiting maintenance workers and other tradesmen, who will need them to know the location and condition of any ACM before they start workthe emergency services.Management systems must be in place to ensure employees and visiting tradesmen are provided with relevant information from the asbestos register about the location of ACMs before they start any work in any areas where ACMs could be disturbed. A record should be kept of the information having been supplied and understood to demonstrate that asbestos management procedures are being applied.Knowing the exact location of ACMs (or presumed ACMs) is central to protecting people. The description of the location must be clear enough to allow the ACM to be easily found. This is particularly so for complex sites that must have a well-organised and clear system of describing the exact location of any suspected or identified ACM. The copies of the register provided must therefore:identify the exact location and condition of all known and presumed ACMs present in the premisesbe easily accessible and easy to understandbe current and updated as soon as any changes in the building occur.The asbestos register should clearly identify any areas:where there is a high risk due to the nature or condition of the ACMthat are either prohibited or restricted.Record KeepingThe full value of the information-gathering exercise is only realised if the data is presented in a form that is easy to manage and understand. The form of the register will be greatly influenced by the quantity of information acquired and the frequency with which it needs to be distributed. For example, multi-site organisations using a register in a key role in the management of ACMs will require a more sophisticated system than the owner of a small retail outlet.There are no set rules on the format of the asbestos register. The typical register entry format may be suitable for many organisations or could be adapted as required. Where a great deal of information has been obtained, it may be useful to restrict the amount that goes into the asbestos register record. For example, if information has been collected on materials that are frequently confused with asbestos-based products, by virtue of their use or appearance, their inclusion in the register may make it unwieldy. Any information that is too bulky can be cross-referenced from the register entry, either to an appendix or its filed location elsewhere.The format must allow for relatively easy updating, which may include comments when items have been removed, but may also result in the register increasing in size if additional materials are identified. Register Update Form provides an example method of doing this.The register or parts of it should be available in a clearly understandable form to inform every person who is liable to disturb an ACM or be affected by the presence of an ACM.There are set no rules on how the asbestos register should be kept. CAR states that the records can be kept either in an electronic or written form.Electronic recordsElectronic registers can be extremely useful if well managed. The register can be printed and the electronic version kept as the current version. Additional copies or sections can be easily printed. Spreadsheets and database systems are excellent if the register is to be used as a source of information for management or progress reports. These can also be set up to link in with other computer-based asset registers. Some specific asbestos management software is commercially available.Where a business is networked, including intranet systems, electronic registers can be easily distributed to relevant departments.Paper-based registersA one or two-page document may be adequate for sites where there is very little or no asbestos, as long as any relevant comments are also noted. If research has shown asbestos materials are unlikely, a register is still recommended, if only to record the efforts made in the process and the arguments used to reach the “asbestos-free” conclusion.Sketches or plans can be annotated and used as a register. If the location of the asbestos is marked up on the plan and information on the material form, extent and condition is included, this is a very effective method of communicating the information to contractors, etc. The system works well even if room numbers change, but difficulties can arise if building works significantly change the size or internal layout of the building. A disadvantage of plans is that it is difficult to include the form, extent and condition for each ACM location. In addition, there may be difficulties updating the plan. Colour coding asbestos occurrences on plans is common. However, it should be remembered that unless a colour copier is used the colours will be lost.The most effective way of using sketches and plans may be to reference them within simple register records for each area, so that they can be used in conjunction with the register forms to clarify the situation with regard to the presence of asbestos.Ring files are generally the most suitable system for small to medium-sized organisations. Information can be easily updated and copied. If the records increase, the documents can be divided among a number of files. A single record can then be easily expanded and the extra material slotted in if one certain area of a site requires a far greater amount of information due to the presence of asbestos.AppendicesWhere there is useful supportive information, it is often better to put this in an appendix rather than make the listings section too bulky. Typical appendices include:photographs, ie originals, scanned or from a digital camera or smart device (phone or tablet)plans, ie to help locate area references and/or marked up to show asbestos occurrencesreports, ie analytical reports, either materials analysis or air quality resultsspecial waste consignment notes, ie for asbestos waste removed from site by a licensed contractor.ArchivingThe register must show current incidences of asbestos materials, but a historical record of where they have been found, when they were removed, etc provides evidence of a good asbestos management system.Maintenance, Review and UpdateIt is recommended that procedures for maintenance, review and update are put in place, together with a means of publicising the existence of the register and designating responsibilities to relevant individuals or groups.Updating detailsWhen there is a change in the condition of an ACM, or additional ACMs are identified or suspected, it is essential that the asbestos register is updated.The register should also be updated when an ACM is repaired or removed. Information on the remedial works can also be included in the asbestos register, for example, references to the licensed contractor, analytical company, analytical reports, special waste consignment notes, duration of works, client department. This will enable any necessary records or documents to be traced if future problems arise.Information may be generated from a number of sources including:regular inspection of materials as part of the asbestos management schemereports on new or suspect materialscontractors who have carried out works and suspect that asbestos materials may be presentthe health and safety file listed within the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 — this can provide details of any remaining asbestos materials and include copies of analytical reports and inspections.Updates should be carried out as frequently as possible to keep the register current. In large companies the mechanism for updating needs to be in line with other systems in the company.ReviewOn sites where there is very little information to put into a register, the document will probably be easy to operate. Where many entries are present, it is usually worth reviewing the format before it is “published”. Difficulties with updating or copying procedures can then be identified and remedied.Discussions before publication with contributors and specialists, such as site engineers, and potential enquirers, such as contractors or designers can identify inaccuracies or ambiguities in the register before the document is used.Regular audits of the register, especially during its early operation, will encourage fine-tuning of the procedures and improvements to be made to the asbestos management system. Review of the register is required under regulation 4 of the CAR if there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change in the premises.AccessProcedures should be in place to ensure that anyone liable to disturb ACMs is aware of their presence. Consequently, an up-to-date copy of the register must be available for anyone who requires it. The existence of the register and the relevant procedures should be well publicised, for example using notice boards, company newsletters or department briefings. The aim should be to encourage use of the register, both as a source and a recipient of information. For new employees or site contractors, information could be included as part of the site health and safety induction training.The actual location of the register, and how many copies are available, will depend on a number of factors. In many organisations, it will be suitable to keep the register in the main reception area or in the health and safety department. It should be readily accessible to contractors or anyone who could disturb the ACMs. This may require more than one copy of the register to be available. On the other hand, if there are numerous copies of the register, keeping all copies up to date can be a problem. Providing copies of the relevant part of the register may be preferable.List of Relevant LegislationHealth and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992Further InformationPublicationsHSE PublicationsThe following are available from the HSE website:SG227 A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Asbestos in PremisesHSG264 Asbestos: The Survey GuideINDG223 Managing Asbestos in Buildings: A Brief GuideOrganisationsAsbestos Control and Abatement Division (ACAD)TICA-ACAD | Thermal Insulation Contractors AssociationACAD, a division of the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA), is a trade association that represents organisations specialising in asbestos and its removal.Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA)Asbestos Removal Contractors AssociationARCA aims to promote and maintain the safe working standards required for the handling and removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials.Health and Safety Executive (HSE)Information about health and safety at workThe HSE is responsible for the regulation of the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in England, Scotland and Wales, except in certain businesses (regarded as lower risk), which are the responsibility of local authorities. Its roles are to prevent work-related death, injury or ill health.