Asbestos Removal Process – A Step by Step Guide

Asbestos maintenance and removal can be a hazardous undertaking with inherent risks for both employees and property users as a result of accidental exposure to microscopic airborne asbestos fibres. Exposure can, long term, lead to life-threatening illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. It is therefore paramount from the outset that employers ensure all reasonable measures have been taken to safeguard both employees and the general public from any exposure to asbestos whilst working on their premises.

Thankfully, well-established protocols, practices and legislation are now in place to help ensure that asbestos and asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are managed safely reducing the risk of exposure. It is vital and indeed mandatory that correct asbestos removal protocols are followed to minimize any risk.

For anyone new to this area of work, it can appear a minefield. To help you understand the process of asbestos removal, we have put together the guide below.

The Asbestos Removal Process

  1. First and foremost you need to identify whether asbestos is present in the building where work is due 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. An Asbestos Management Survey on the other hand is purely to aid the management of any asbestos present during the normal occupation of a building where there is no intention to disturb it in any way.
  2. 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. This will highlight the potential for asbestos exposure during any work and identify who may be at risk. It will also dictate what work methods are required to provide an effective control of the risks.
  3. Next it must be determined whether the work to be carried out is licensed or non-licensable work. Most work involving higher risk working and/or removal of asbestos will require a contractor licensed by the HSE. Examples of licensable work include but are not exhaustive of the following:
  • Longer term rather than sporadic exposure to asbestos and ACMs
  • Work on asbestos coatings including removal and any work that might disturb pipe lagging.
  • Work on asbestos insulation boards.
  • Work which is likely to exceed the Control Limit for asbestos exposure.
  • Any work involving loose fill insulation or asbestos millboard

All licensable work must be notified to the appropriate enforcing authority depending on the nature of the premises, this will be either the HSE or the Environment Agency of the Local Authority using form FOD ASB5 at least 14 days in advance of the commencement of any work.

  1. 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.
  2. 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. Air monitoring techniques must also be employed to ensure control levels are never exceeded and to ensure the area concerned is safe for reoccupation.
  3. The licensed Contractor must make sure that any contaminated waste is securely double bagged and sealed in asbestos waste sacks, appropriately labelled and 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.

  1. 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. This will entail vacuuming and wiping clean all exposed surfaces before a visual inspection by the site supervisor.

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.

Learn More with Rightway Environmental

We hope the above mini-guide has given you some insight into the process of asbestos removal. For both licensable and non-licensable work with asbestos, from start to finish you will need to ensure that you comply fully with the general requirements of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to prevent exposure  to asbestos.

Here at Rightway Environmental, we are able to answer any questions you may have about asbestos,  their management and  removal from your premises. From asbestos removal to surveys and analysis, we work across the commercial, industrial and domestic sectors on a nationwide basis.

For a no-obligation discussion on how we can help you, please contact us today.