Existing asbestos
Last updated:2.8 EXISTING ASBESTOS
The mere presence of asbestos in a building is not in itself a health hazard. Asbestos is only harmful if it becomes damaged and fibres become airborne and are inhaled into the lungs.
Most commonly found asbestos materials (except insulation) contain relatively small amounts of asbestos and do not release significant numbers of fibres except:
- When they are worn or damaged.
- When they are abraded.
- When they are worked on (e.g. cut, drilled, filed, sanded etc.).
Treatment of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs)
Where material containing asbestos in existing installations is sound, undamaged, and adequately sealed or encapsulated and likely to remain so, the material will not be disturbed. Its location will be recorded to allow future monitoring and labelled if appropriate.
Where an ACM is damaged or inadequately sealed, the material will be resealed where it is reasonably practicable to do so and its location recorded to allow future monitoring and labelled if appropriate. Additionally, it may be encapsulated to prevent further damage.
Priorities, methods, and actions undertaken are determined according to the type of asbestos, its condition, and whether it is liable to damage. Asbestos material is only retained if it is sound, unlikely to be damaged, and where an adequate seal can be maintained.
For all works relating to asbestos, licensed asbestos remediation contractors are to be used.
Exceptions may be made in some circumstances, such as where asbestos cement products or textured coatings are involved. In such cases an asbestos co-ordinating officer must be made aware. Following an adequate risk assessment, the work could be carried out by an approved contractor taking appropriate precautions, under expert supervision, such as that provided by the Property Services Team. These precautions would consist of the contractor providing an acceptable written method statement, wearing appropriate PPE, and using the correct specialist equipment. All of this is detailed in the HSE publication, Asbestos essentials: A task manual for building, maintenance and allied trades on non-licensed asbestos work (hse.gov.uk)
Where an external consultant/agent/contractor appoints a licensed asbestos contractor, an asbestos co-ordinating officer within the Property Services Team must be made aware. That consultant/agent/contractor must provide all documentation relating to the asbestos element of the work to the asbestos co-ordinating officer (details and extent of work, method statement, air clearance certificates, etc.) to enable the Asbestos Register to be updated.
Removal of Asbestos Containing Materials
In some circumstances the wholesale removal of asbestos may increase the overall risk to public health since the removal operation does inevitably cause fibres to be released. Wet-stripping techniques are used to keep the airborne fibre release to a minimum.
Existing materials containing asbestos will be removed where they are:
Damaged or inadequately sealed and it is not reasonably practicable to reseal, repair or encapsulate them; or
Considered to be hazardous by virtue of an assessment of air samples taken in accordance with the recommendations of the HSE; or
In a location where constant damage is likely to occur.
Disposal of Asbestos Containing Materials
Where asbestos containing materials are removed from the premises, for example asbestos containing toilet cisterns, gutters, and rainwater pipes, they must be double wrapped in 1000-gauge polythene sheets and securely sealed with duct tape or some similar tape. They must be labelled with an approved asbestos warning label and be stored in a secure area pending collection by a licensed waste contractor, who will also need to be a registered carrier for asbestos waste. A waste transfer note should be obtained from the licensed waste disposal company at handover.