Description

Syllabus/Course Structure and Assessment

The syllabus and course is structured into five sections:

• Asbestos Fibre types & ACMs
• Sample preparation and preliminary assessment
• Set Up and Use of a Polarised Light Microscope & analysis of samples
• Certificates and reporting
• Quality control

Practical work involves:

• Microscope set-up
• Sample preparation
• PLM typing of unknown samples
• Identification of asbestos using polarised light dispersion staining techniques

Examinations and Assessment Candidates are required to pass all of the following parts (A, B and C below) to be awarded this qualification.

• The Practical Assessment

  The practical assessment must be carried out by the Tutor during the relevant part of the course for all candidates. This is to ensure that every candidate can demonstrate their individual ability and correct method for:

  • Working safely at a fume cupboard whilst using a stereo microscope to examine samples
  • Correctly preparing slides for examination under a polarising microscope
  • Setting up a polarising microscope to allow identification of asbestos types within a sample

• Written Examination

  This is an open book examination comprising of approximately 30 (100 marks) short-answer questions, with variable marks, illustrated by photographs and diagrams, as appropriate, to be answered in 90 minutes. The examination covers ALL sections of the syllabus in proportion to the time allocation given on the front page of the syllabus and is overseen by a BOHS invigilator.

• Practical Examination

  This is an open book practical examination with a time allowance of 4 hours, which requires candidates to identify the asbestos types in six samples. The samples are from the AIMs scheme, provided to BOHS by HSL. Candidates are permitted to access relevant hard copy reference material only. Communication between candidates is not permitted. The examination is overseen by a BOHS specialist invigilator who will confirm suitability of the facilities.