All asbestos removal work must be carried out by either a licensed contractor or a trained contractor. The type of contractor will depend on the materials and type of work being done.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Getting the work done
If you don’t have an asbestos licence, you must only carry out non-licensed work yourself if you are properly trained and have the right equipment.
The HSE provides guidance on carrying out non-licensed asbestos work.
HSE: Non-licensed task guidance for building and maintenance trades
HSE: Asbestos essentials task sheets
Building maintenance
Before you start any building maintenance or demolition work you must carry out an asbestos survey to identify any materials that contain asbestos.
Make sure all employees and contractors on site know about the materials that have been identified as containing asbestos. Provide information about the location and condition of any asbestos to every person who could disturb it.
You should also make sure that your employees and contractors know how to identify asbestos and know what to do if they find it unexpectedly.
HSE: Asbestos image gallery
What should you do if you find asbestos?
If you come into contact with any materials that you suspect contain asbestos, including hidden materials or dust, you should stop work immediately and leave the area. Most asbestos removal work must be carried out by either a licensed contractor or a trained contractor.
If you are unsure if a material contains asbestos, you should assume that the material does contain it until you are sure that it does not.
Asbestos only becomes a danger when fibres are airborne. Do not break or damage any material that may contain asbestos. You should only take samples if you are suitably trained.
If you find any materials containing asbestos that could become airborne, you should keep them damp, but not wet, to prevent fibres being released.
If you come across asbestos unexpectedly and it results in a release of asbestos you must take steps to:
- lessen the effects of the asbestos
- restore the situation to normal
- inform anyone who may be affected.
HSE: What to do if you uncover or damage materials that contain asbestos (Adobe PDF - 112KB)
Reducing the spread of asbestos
If you are working with asbestos or carrying out work which may disturb asbestos, you must prevent, or reduce as far as possible, the asbestos spreading.
During any work, you must make sure that the area and the equipment being used for the work are kept clean. Once work involving asbestos has finished, you must make sure the area where the work was carried out is thoroughly cleaned.
Leaving asbestos materials in place
If you have items that contain asbestos, eg coatings, panels or tiles, which are in good condition, you can leave them in place. You must make a note of their location on a clear plan of the premises. You should also label these materials with the asbestos warning label so that they can be easily identified. You must make sure the materials are properly maintained and you must monitor their condition. They should not be disturbed, and when necessary, they must be removed safely.
Protecting your staff from asbestos
You must prevent your employees from being exposed to asbestos or, where this is not practical, reduce exposure to a level which is as low as possible. The HSE and the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) provide guidance on protecting the health and safety of your employees. You should read their guidance to find out what you need to do to protect your workforce from asbestos.
HSE: Asbestos
HSENI: Asbestos
In this guideline:
What is asbestos?
Identifying asbestos
Working with asbestos
Disposing of asbestos waste
Asbestos further information
Asbestos legislation
