Maintenance and removal of asbestos may be a hazardous task that has inherent dangers for both staff and property users. These risks are directly related to the possibility of inadvertent exposure to small asbestos fibres that are airborne. Over a prolonged period of time, exposure can result in the development of life-threatening diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. It is therefore of the utmost importance that employers make certain that all reasonable precautions have been taken from the very beginning to protect their employees as well as the general public from any exposure to asbestos that may occur while they are working on their premises.
Thankfully, well-established protocols, practices and legislation are now in place to help ensure that Approach to Asbestos Removal in the UK and asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are managed safely reducing the risk of exposure. Adhering to the appropriate procedures for asbestos removal is not only essential but also obligatory in order to reduce the potential for any risk.
For those who are not familiar with this field of work, it may appear to be a minefield. To help you understand the process of asbestos removal, we have put together the guide below.
The Asbestos Removal Process
First and first you need to detect if asbestos is present in the building where work is required to be carried out. To do this a survey will need to be undertaken. If the work to be performed is intrusive and extensive you will need to carry out a Refurbishment and Demolition Survey. On the other hand, the sole purpose of an asbestos management survey is to provide assistance in the management of any asbestos that may be present in a building that is being occupied normally and where there is no intention to disturb the asbestos in any way.
Having established the presence of asbestos you will need to carry out a Risk Assessment and compile a Management Plan in accordance with guidelines issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for working with ACMs. Because of this, the possibility for asbestos exposure during any work will be brought to light, and those who may be at risk will be identified. It will also dictate what work methods are required to provide an effective control of the risks.
Next, it is necessary to ascertain whether the work that is going to be carried out is work that is licensed or work that is not licensed. Most work involving higher risk working and/or removal of asbestos will require a contractor licensed by the HSE. The following are some examples of work that can be licensed, but this list is not exhaustive:
- Over a longer period of time as opposed to intermittent exposure to asbestos and ACMs
- Work on asbestos coatings including removal and any work that might disturb pipe lagging.
- Work on boards that are insulated with asbestos.
- tasks that are likely to result in an asbestos exposure level that is higher than the Control Limit.
- Any activity that involves asbestos millboard or loose fill insulation should be avoided.
Any work that requires a licence must be reported to the appropriate enforcing authority, which will be either the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Environment Agency of the Local Authority, using form FOD ASB5 at least fourteen days before any work begins. This notification is required regardless of the nature of the premises to which the work is being performed.
Confirm that any contractor carrying out the work holds a valid licence and has the appropriate training, protective clothing and breathing apparatus to perform the work safely.
The Licensed Contractor must ensure any areas where asbestos is located and due to be disturbed are sealed off using polythene and timber to create an airtight enclosure in order to contain asbestos airborne fibres. Controlled wetting techniques such as spraying, injection with needles or using a sealant can now be employed to restrict and reduce the release of fibres into the air. Furthermore, the utilisation of air monitoring techniques is necessary in order to guarantee that control levels are never exceeded and to guarantee that the area in question is safe for reoccupation.
It is the responsibility of the licensed Contractor to ensure that any waste that is contaminated is effectively double-bagged and sealed in asbestos waste sacks, that it is appropriately labelled, and that it is safely deposited at a specialist licensed waste disposal site.
7.Removal Operatives must stringently follow decontamination procedures upon completion of asbestos removal from the premises and at the end of any shift involving work with asbestos.
Once the contaminated waste has been removed, all surfaces in the sealed off area will need to be environmentally cleaned to remove all remaining debris and residues. In order to accomplish this, it will be necessary to hoover and wipe clean all exposed surfaces prior to the site supervisor conducting a visual inspection.
9. Once the work has been completed the contractor or client will organise an independent UKAS accredited laboratory to undertake an inspection of the area and, if the analyst is satisfied that the area is clean enough, carry out an Air Test within the area prior to dismantling of the enclosure.
