Frequently Asked Questions

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals used widely in construction from the 1950s to the 1990s. It was valued for fire resistance and strength but is now known to cause serious lung diseases when fibres are inhaled.

Asbestos was used in 3,000+ products worldwide before being fully banned in the UK in 1999. In UK buildings (particularly those built between 1945–1999), asbestos can still be found in a wide range of materials, for example:

• Pipe lagging (thermal insulation)

• Boiler insulation

• Sprayed coatings (fireproofing on steelwork/ceilings)

• Loose fill insulation (lofts/walls)

• Asbestos insulating board

• Fireproof panels

• Ceiling tiles

• Partition walls

• Soffits

• Lift shaft linings

• Fire doors with asbestos cores

• Duct insulation

• Gaskets in high-temperature plant

Asbestos becomes dangerous when fibres are disturbed and become airborne, e.g., through drilling, cutting, sanding, or demolition.

Not necessarily. If the asbestos-containing material (ACM) is in good condition and left undisturbed, it can often be safely managed in place. Removal is recommended if it's deteriorating, likely to be disturbed by occupants and/or will be disturbed by renovation or demolition. This approach is supported by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which requires risk assessment and management of ACMs rather than automatic removal.

Key legislation includes:

• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) — main UK legal framework for managing asbestos risk.

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — overarching duty for employers to protect workers' health.

• The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 — controls disposal of asbestos waste.

• Building Regulations — influence safe refurbishment/demolition work.

The duty holder (often owner, landlord, or client) must ensure asbestos is identified and managed before renovation or demolition projects, as required under Regulation 4 of CAR 2012.

• Management survey – identifies ACMs in accessible areas.

• Refurbishment/demolition survey – intrusive inspection for planned works.

Both surveys must be carried out by Competent Persons under CAR 2012.

A documented assessment that identifies asbestos hazards, evaluates risk of fibre release, and details control measures — essential before work begins.

Yes. Licensed asbestos removal specialists can safely remove and dispose of ACMs of any classification, from loose insulation to boarding and tiles. That is what we do.

Yes, all air sampling, clearance air-testing, and bulk analysis is done via UKAS accredited laboratories to meet HSE requirements.

Under CAR 2012, you must use a licenced contractor (as approved by the HSE) for removal of:

• Asbestos insulation

• Asbestos coating

• Asbestos lagging

Smaller quantities of low-risk asbestos (e.g., bonded materials like floor tiles) may, in certain cases, be removed by trained personnel without a specific asbestos licence, but must still be controlled and managed.

HSE Advice

Licensed asbestos work refers to high-risk, friable materials that require specialised contractors holding a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) licence, as defined in the UK's Control of Asbestos Regulations. This primarily includes removing or maintaining sprayed coatings, pipe lagging, and loose-fill insulation, as well as significant work with asbestos insulation board (AIB). [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Examples of Licensed Asbestos Work

• Sprayed coatings (limpet asbestos): Highly friable coatings applied to structural steelwork or walls.

• Pipe lagging and insulation: Thermal insulation on pipes and vessels.

• Loose fill insulation: Commonly found in cavity walls or under floorboards.

• Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB): Removing panels, partitions, or suspended ceilings if not short-duration work.

• Significant cleaning: Removing large amounts of debris/dust where the control limit (\(0.1\) fibres/\(cm^{3}\) over 4 hours) is likely exceeded. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Time depends on the scale and type of ACMs, the site layout, and risk controls needed. A detailed job and schedule will be provided after survey.

All removal is conducted under strict controls in compliance with CAR 2012, including negative pressure units, sealed enclosures, PPE, decontamination zones, and air monitoring.

Yes. After completion, a Third-Party Independent Air Clearance Certificate is issued, showing that the area is free of asbestos fibres and safe to re-occupy.

Asbestos waste must be transported and disposed of at licensed hazardous waste facilities under the Hazardous Waste Regulations. Waste transfer notes are issued and kept for compliance.

Fines or criminal prosecution may arise if asbestos is not properly managed, assessed, or removed according to law. Duty holders can be held liable.

DIY asbestos removal is strongly discouraged due to health risks and legal obligations. Certain low-risk materials may, in theory, be removed by trained individuals using strict controls, but expert contractors should be engaged for safety and compliance.

• Myth: "If it's old, it's dangerous." Fact: Condition and likelihood of disturbance matter more than age.

• Myth: "All asbestos must be removed." Fact: Safe management is legally acceptable where removal isn't necessary.

Costs vary based on survey results, type of ACM, accessibility, site preparation, and disposal charges. A free site visit and tailored quote is available.

Call/email us or complete our online contact form — we'll arrange a qualified surveyor at a convenient time.

• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) — legal asbestos controller duties and contractor requirements.

• HSE Asbestos Essentials — practical guidance for tradespeople and dutyholders.

• Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L143 — detailed compliance guidance for CAR 2012.

• Hazardous Waste Regulations — asbestos waste management.

• Managing Health & Safety in the workplace – Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

• The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

• Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

• Confined Space Regulations 1997.

• Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH).