Asbestos

Asbestos could be present in any building that was built or refurbished before the year 2000. It was commonly used in the building industry in the products such as:

• Corrugated sheets for roofing and cladding.
• Gutters and downpipes.
• Flat sheeting for partitioning, cladding and door facings.
• Flue pipes.

Asbestos sheeting is a grey, hard, brittle material containing asbestos fibre. Older properties may have lagging that contains asbestos around any original pipework. Asbestos insulation board was commonly used in the 1960‘s and 1970’s and looks like plasterboard, but is thinner and softer. On no account should you disturb lagging or insulation board.

Removal of asbestos must always be undertaken by specialist contractors.

If you are having construction or refurbishment work done, you may need to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE are running the LACE  (Local Authority Construction Engagement) Project which may benefit you in any building work that you are doing.

The most common asbestos related DIY jobs are the removal or replacement of asbestos cement sheets on garages and outbuildings. The following simple precautions will ensure the work is carried out safely:

• Plan the work carefully so as not to produce any dust.
• Thoroughly wet the material.
• Remove panels and sheets whole, by removing fixings first.
• Place the material into plastic bags or wrap it in polythene sheeting.
• Do not drill or saw! Do not use power tools - hand tools produce less dust.
• Close adjacent windows and doors.
• Wear disposable respirator and gloves.

Asbestos is classed as Hazardous Waste and requires a specialist contractor to collect and dispose of it.

Before starting any work, you should seek advice as to how the material can be disposed of and how much it will cost.

Fly Tipped Asbestos

Because asbestos is classed as hazardous, if it is fly tipped on private property you will be advised to hire a private contractor who is licensed to remove such waste please telephone as soon as possible.

If you see any hazardous waste being flytipped please telephone our Contact Centres on 01246 242424 or submit an enquiry form

If the asbestos waste is in a water course or in imminent danger of polluting the water course please contact the Environment Agency.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 December 2010 09:29

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