The removal of asbestos is vital in keeping everyone who could possibly become exposed to it safe. Asbestos can cause serious health risks and lead to diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis if inhaled. The first thing that needs to be done when dealing with asbestos is highlighting where it is in a building. Once it’s been detected, the next steps are assessing its condition and conducting a plan on how to handle it safely.
In this blog, we explore the steps involved in asbestos removal, from initial assessment to final clearance. This guide will provide you with the knowledge you need to ensure that any asbestos in your building is handled safely and effectively.
Understanding asbestos and its risks
Asbestos, a silicate mineral, was once popular in construction because of its strength and heat resistance properties. There are three common types of asbestos; crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), and chrysotile (white asbestos). For decades, asbestos-containing materials were used in construction with the most common types of products being:
- Cement
- Insulation – most commonly around pipes, boilers, and air ducts
- Roofing – materials such as corrugated sheets and shingles
- Flooring – such as vinyl (PVC) flooring
- Ceiling coatings – such as textured coatings on walls and ceilings
As time moves on and these materials deteriorate or become damaged, there is a risk of the asbestos fibres within the materials becoming airborne and inhaled. If this happens, this can cause huge risks to a person’s health and can lead to serious diseases as we’ve already mentioned. It can take years for these illnesses to develop if exposed to asbestos and there is no amount of exposure that is considered safe. That’s why it’s crucial to identify, test, and remove asbestos-containing materials if they are damaged to mitigate these risks.
Identifying asbestos in your property
Before you start any construction work on your property, it’s vital to assess your surroundings for any potential asbestos-containing materials. In order to do this safely and correctly, you should consult a professional company, like Midlands Asbestos Solutions (MAS), who are trained to know what to look for, where asbestos might be situated, and how much of it there is.
This part of the process is called an asbestos survey. There are two main kinds of surveys: a Refurbishment / Demolition Survey for when you’re planning construction works, which is a comprehensive survey and outlines a plan for the removal of asbestos prior to works being carried out. The second type is a Management Survey for when asbestos is identified but doesn’t pose a major risk due to its good condition. This survey provides a plan to manage the asbestos and how to maintain it without damaging its condition.
Professional asbestos testing
Professional asbestos testing is an essential component of the removal process as it helps to accurately identify the presence of asbestos and assess the level of risk. Following an asbestos survey by a qualified surveyor, samples of suspected materials are collected and sent for laboratory testing.
Once the tests have been completed, a survey report will be produced which provides detailed information about the location, condition, and type of asbestos-containing materials present. This information is crucial for determining the appropriate type of work required and ensuring the safety of workers and occupants of the building.
Preparing for asbestos removal
Preparation for the removal of asbestos is key. This involves notifying the relevant authorities of your plans and this is normally either the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Environment Agency, or your local council. Depending on the type of work that needs to be carried out, you may need to obtain the permits, licences, and documentation (e.g. completing a CBA1 and FODASB5 form) to ensure your work is legal and safe.
As well as this, you must ensure the area is cleared of any furniture, clothing, and other items to avoid contamination of asbestos fibres. You also have to make sure you have all the correct safety gear, PPE (e.g. respirators, protective gloves, eyewear, boots, and coveralls) and steps are put in place to ensure everyone who works or lives in the building is safe and no one is at risk of asbestos exposure.
The asbestos removal process
The asbestos removal process is a careful task that should be carried out by trained professionals to ensure it’s removed safely and effectively. The area where the work will take place must be securely sealed off with a thick polythene sheeting to minimise asbestos exposure. It also goes without saying that warning signs and cordens must be put in place to not only warn people asbestos removal is taking place, but to also ensure they are kept clear of the area.
Once the setup is completed, the identified materials and sealed area are professionally wet down with specialist sprays, injections, or sealants before anything is removed. This is to minimise the amount of asbestos fibres becoming airborne.
Depending on the asbestos survey findings, there are two ways in which asbestos is dealt with. If the asbestos is in good condition and there are no plans to conduct any construction works, asbestos encapsulation can be performed. This involves putting a special sealant or coating over the asbestos-containing materials to stop any fibres from being released into the air. If asbestos has been identified and it is damaged or deteriorated, then the materials are carefully removed and placed into double bagged asbestos waste sacks that are clearly marked ready for disposal.
Throughout the removal process, air monitoring techniques should be carried out to ensure exposure levels are never exceeded and to be certain everyone is able to breathe safely when the area is reoccupied. It’s also not uncommon to test the air quality multiple times before allowing building residents back to the area.
Post-removal procedures
Once the removal of asbestos is completed, there are a few important steps to take next, to ensure the area is safe. A full and thorough decontamination and clean-up process will take place and this will include a clean-up of the area where the works have taken place, wiping down surfaces, and correctly disposing of clothing, materials, and equipment to avoid cross-contamination.
The disposal of clothing and equipment must follow strict rules in order to be compliant with regulations. Just like removing asbestos-containing materials, everything must be double-bagged and marked clearly for disposal.
After everything has been environmentally cleaned and decontaminated, a site supervisor will carry out an inspection of the area which will involve visually inspecting the area and carrying out air quality tests. If the area is cleaned and the air quality tests are all in accordance with regulations, the space can then be opened back up.
Disposal of asbestos waste
Disposing asbestos waste must be done safely, correctly, and legally – this includes the packaging and transportation. As mentioned previously, all asbestos waste must be double-bagged in tightly sealed asbestos waste sacks and clearly marked for disposal so people are aware they contain asbestos and they’re handled with care. This also ensures you’re following the strict rules set by authorised landfill sites when disposing the waste.
In regards to transportation, the asbestos waste must be transported by a professional company with the correct Waste Carriers licence, like MAS, in special vehicles and containers to keep the harmful fibres from escaping into the air during the trip to the authorised landfill site.
It’s crucial that asbestos waste is disposed of at a licensed landfill site that is specially set up to deal with dangerous and hazardous waste. These sites have all the right setups and safety steps in place to ensure asbestos waste is handled and disposed of correctly, keeping people and the environment safe.
How much is asbestos removal?
The price you’ll pay for the removal of asbestos can vary depending on the situation at hand. Here are some key factors that will play a part in asbestos removal cost:
- How much asbestos there is
- The type of asbestos that needs to be removed
- The size of the area that needs to be worked on
- The complexity of the removal
- The type of asbestos survey your project requires
- The clean-up and decontamination process
To get an accurate number of how much you’ll need to pay, you can contact an asbestos removal company, like MAS, and obtain a bespoke quotation for your project. By properly removing asbestos from a property, you’re taking proactive steps to ensure everyone is safe and you’re adhering to the current regulations in place.
Choose a certified asbestos removal company
When it comes to the removal of asbestos, it’s vital to speak to a company who is not only certified but also has plenty of experience. At Midlands Asbestos Solutions, we have over 30 years experience in providing comprehensive asbestos services, meaning we’re fully-trained and have the know-how to remove asbestos safely and legally. All of our services are carried out in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and follows all guidance as outlined by the HSE.
If you’d like to learn more about asbestos removal or any of our other services, or you’d like to request a quote, contact us today and one of our friendly experts will answer any questions you may have.
Asbestos removal FAQs
Can I remove asbestos myself?
Removing asbestos yourself is not recommended as it can have very bad health repercussions if not removed safely and professionally. It’s also a legal requirement to ensure a professional and licensed asbestos removal company, like MAS, removes asbestos on your behalf. Our experts have specialist training, protective clothing, and all the necessary tools to let them deal with asbestos safely and legally.
How long does asbestos removal take?
How long it takes to remove asbestos can vary on a few factors including what kind of asbestos it is, how big the work area is, if there’s asbestos mixed into different materials, and how much of it there is that needs removing. At MAS, smaller jobs, such as a garage removal, or a ceiling removal usually takes our experts half a day, allowing us to complete a couple of smaller jobs in one day. For bigger tasks such as fully licensed jobs, these can take a couple of days maximum.
Is it safe to live in a house during asbestos removal?
When removing asbestos, there’s a chance that tiny asbestos fibres can be released into the air and become harmful. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be safe for you to live in your house during the removal process as your safety and health should be the number one priority.