Asbestos Removal Guidance

If asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are identified in a building, they do not always need to be removed. In many cases, asbestos can remain safely in place if it is in good condition, not likely to be disturbed, and properly managed.

However, removal may be required during refurbishment, demolition or repair work where asbestos could be disturbed. The level of control required depends largely on the type of asbestos material and the risk involved in the work.

Licensed Asbestos Removal Work

Some asbestos materials are considered higher risk because they can release fibres easily if disturbed. Examples include:

Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB)
Asbestos Pipe Insulation / Lagging
Sprayed Asbestos Coatings
Loose Fill Insulation

Work on these materials must normally be carried out by a Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor (LARC). Licensed contractors are approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and must follow strict procedures including:

Controlled removal techniques
Enclosure and air control systems
Specialist training and independent supervision
Waste management procedures

In most situations, work involving these materials cannot legally be carried out by unlicensed persons.

Non-Licensed Asbestos Work

Some asbestos materials present lower risk, particularly when they are in good condition and the work is very minor. Examples may include:

Asbestos Cement materials
Asbestos composite materials such as asbestos containing thermoplastic floor tiles
Asbestos textiles
Asbestos containing textured coatings (Artex)

In certain circumstances, work with these materials may be carried out by competent persons following HSE Guidance. The HSE provides a very useful set of step-by-step guidance sheets called Asbestos Essentials, which explain safe working methods for many common tasks, which can be found here: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm. This is an excellent resource for understanding the controls required.

Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW)

Some types of work fall into a category known as Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW). This means the work does not require a licensed contractor, but additional requirements apply, such as:

Notifying the HSE before work begins
Keeping records of the work
Medical surveillance requirements for workers carrying out the activity

The HSE provides further guidance on when work falls into this category.

Practical Considerations Before Attempting Removal

Although some lower-risk asbestos work may be legally carried out without a licensed contractor, in practice there are often practical limitations. These can include:

Insurance restrictions

Many company insurance policies prohibit work with asbestos, even where the work is technically non-licensed. This means businesses may not be insured if they attempt the work themselves.

Waste disposal requirements

All asbestos waste must be double bagged and clearly labelled, and disposed of as hazardous waste with a Consignment Note being provided. Asbestos waste must normally be transported by a company holding a Waste Carrier's Licence and taken to an authorised waste transfer facility.

Minimum disposal charges

Waste transfer stations often charge minimum disposal fees, regardless of the quantity of asbestos waste. For example, a facility may charge £200–£300 even for a very small amount of material. In many cases, an asbestos removal contractor may already be disposing of waste from larger jobs and can include small items within their existing waste loads.

Because of this, attempting to remove non-licensed materials yourself does not always result in lower overall cost.

When It Is Usually Best to Appoint a Removal Contractor

In practice, it is often safer and more straightforward to appoint a competent asbestos removal contractor, particularly where:

The material is damaged or deteriorating
The work is part of a refurbishment project
Insurance restrictions apply
Waste disposal arrangements are unclear

A competent contractor will also ensure the waste is correctly packaged, transported and disposed of in accordance with Environmental Regulations.

Independent Advice

As an independent asbestos surveyor, I do not carry out asbestos removal work. My role is to:

Identify asbestos containing materials
Assess the risk
Provide impartial advice regarding management or removal

This ensures that any recommendations are based on safety and compliance, rather than removal work being recommended unnecessarily.

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