Asbestos is a general name that is given to several naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have crystallised to form fibres. Asbestos fibres do not dissolve in water or evaporate; they are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation and are mechanically strong.
Asbestos was used in a variety of products, including materials that were used to insulate buildings, boilers and pipes as well as asbestos cement for roofing sheets to name just a few.
However, this material poses risks to your health when you inhale it, and it has since been banned across the UK and is now being removed. In this guide, we take a look at the most frequent questions around asbestos removal.
What do you do if you find asbestos in a house in the UK?
If you have not had training for non-licensed asbestos work, you should not repair or remove it. You will need to seek advice from an environmental health officer at the local council.
How is asbestos removed?
Below is a guide on the process of asbestos removal.
- If you believe you have found asbestos on a project, a survey will need to be undertaken. For work that will be intrusive, a Refurbishment and Demolition Survey will need to be undertaken, while an Asbestos Management Survey will need to be carried out if asbestos is present during the normal occupation of a building where there is no intention to disturb it in any way.
- A risk assessment will need to be carried out, and a management plan must be put in place in accordance with guidelines issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This will highlight the potential for asbestos exposure during construction work and what methods need to be followed to ensure everyone's safety.
- The next decision is whether the work needs to be carried out by licensed workers. Removing asbestos or high-risk work involving asbestos needs to be carried out by a contractor licensed by the HSE. For any licensable work, you will need to notify 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.
- Next, you need to 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.
- Any areas containing asbestos that will be disturbed need to be sealed off using polythene and timber to create an airtight enclosure in order to contain asbestos airborne fibres.
- Air monitoring techniques must also be employed to ensure control levels are never exceeded.
- The licenced contractor must ensure that any waste is put into asbestos waste sacks, appropriately labelled and safely deposited at a specialist licensed waste disposal site.
- Once the asbestos has been removed, decontamination procedures need to be followed, and all surfaces in the sealed-off areas will need to be cleaned environmentally to remove all remaining debris and residues.
- After the work has been completed, an independent UKAS-accredited laboratory will need to inspect the area to ensure it is safe.
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Can I remove asbestos myself, or do I need a licence to do so?
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) says that most jobs which require asbestos to be removed need to be handled by licenced contractors.
“The removal of higher risk asbestos-containing materials (sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos insulation, asbestos lagging and most work involving asbestos insulating board (AIB) should only be carried out by a licensed contractor.”
Construction workers who are licenced in asbestos removal have undergone specific training that teaches them to follow specific working practices. Workers should also use sophisticated respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and are legally required to be under regular medical surveillance.
How much does asbestos removal cost?
The price of removing asbestos varies depending on factors such as asbestos type, quantity, whether the material is licensed or unlicensed etc.
A basic survey costs between £150-£500, but removal costs can range from £50-£100 per square metre, and this is a very rough guide.
How much to remove asbestos Artex?
In the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s builders and decorators would often use products like Artex, which is a term widely used in reference to a popular type of textured coating for interior decorating and design. It was commonly used on ceilings, and although not all Artex contains asbestos, many do.
The cost of removing asbestos Artex can vary. According to Ralph Plastering Services: “The price for removing an Artex wall or ceiling will range from £250 to £500 if chemicals are utilised. You should expect to pay between £150 and £350 to steam remove Artex from a specific surface.
“On the other hand, a straightforward scrape and sand removal will likewise cost between £150 and £250 for one surface. Expect to pay between £280 and £480 to have plasterboard coated over an Artex surface.”
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What are the dangers of breathing asbestos?
Breathing in asbestos is very dangerous, and it is responsible for over 5000 deaths every year.
The Mayo Clinic adds: “Prolonged exposure to these (asbestos) fibres can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually don't appear until many years after initial exposure.”
Exposure to asbestos can cause four main diseases:
- Mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the lungs; it is always fatal and is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos.
- Asbestos-related lung cancer.
- Asbestosis – as explained above, this is a scarring of the lungs, which is not always fatal but can be a very debilitating disease.
- Diffuse pleural thickening - a thickening of the membrane surrounding the lungs, which can restrict lung expansion, leading to breathlessness.
Does a HEPA filter remove asbestos?
The average HEPA air filter generally boasts a 99.97% efficiency rating, and for the highest air quality possible, experts recommend running a HEPA air purifier several times in the same area. This will help to ensure that all harmful particles and fibres have been screened out, especially when dealing with asbestos.
Something for construction workers to consider is that the scope of a HEPA air purifier is limited to treating the air only in the room in which it is stationed.
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What year was asbestos banned?
According to the UK Government website, the importation of blue and brown asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1985. This ban was extended to include white asbestos in 1999.
Do you have to declare a house has asbestos when selling a house?
Yes. If you know about the presence of any asbestos in your house or flat, you are legally required to disclose this information. If you hide this from a potential buyer, you could face legal action.
Springbok Properties explains that if a seller is unaware of asbestos, then they will not be prosecuted: “However, it’s important to note that you will not be liable if you really are unaware of the presence of asbestos in your home that is later detected by a chartered surveyor or other professional.”
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To ensure that construction workers and the property you are working on are protected when you are removing asbestos, you need to look at a range of our products, including dust protection, aluminium tape, and polythene sheeting.
Here at Beck, we are the temporary protection experts, and our Proguard range will help you get the job done right. If you have questions about the best solution for your project, please contact us.
