How often must the competent person inspect the work suits of the crew?

The requirement for inspecting the work suits of the crew once per shift stems from the need to ensure the ongoing safety and health of workers handling asbestos. This inspection frequency allows the competent person to evaluate the integrity of the protective gear, ensuring that it remains free from damage or contamination, which could compromise the workers' protection from asbestos exposure.

By conducting the inspection once per shift, the competent person can quickly identify any issues that may arise during the course of the workday, such as tears, punctures, or any other wear and tear that could affect the suit's performance. This proactive approach is essential because it addresses potential hazards in a timely manner, thereby reducing the risk of asbestos exposure to workers.

Longer intervals between inspections, such as weekly or less frequent checks, would not provide adequate oversight, potentially exposing workers to dangerous conditions that could arise unexpectedly during their work. An inspection that occurs daily is more frequent than is typically necessary, given that inspecting once per shift provides a balanced approach to monitoring suit integrity without being overly burdensome.