ASBESTOS REMOVAL SERVICES

Asbestos Information for Clients"

The New Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAWR) came into force November 2006

These Regulations bring together the three previous sets of Regulations covering the prohibition of asbestos, “the control of asbestos at work” and asbestos licensing. The Regulations prohibit the importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos.

The asbestos regulations also include a statutory ‘Duty to Manage Asbestos’ in all Non-domestic Premises. Guidance on the duty to manage asbestos can be found in the ‘Approved Code of Practice The Management of Asbestos in Non-Domestic Premises’, L127, ISBN 0 7176 6209 8

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 - Prior to starting any works, information must be ascertained from the property owner / duty-holder of the building (all non –domestic premises) in relation to the “Asbestos Register” and if any asbestos containing materials have been identified. Clarification will also be ascertained as to which level of asbestos survey was undertaken. The information supplied in the register will determine what risk assessment / method statement / safety plan will be required for the works to be undertaken safely.


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The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations, as amended 2006, created an explicit duty to assess and manage the risks from asbestos in premises. The risks will vary with circumstances, ranging from normal occupation of a building to the repair, refurbishment and demolition of the premises and they will each need to be assessed. Assessments will be used to produce a Management Plan, which details and records the actions to be undertaken to manage and reduce the risks from asbestos.

If you own or lease non-domestic property and are responsible for the maintenance, you are deemed to be a “Duty Holder” under the new regulations.

The broad requirements on Duty Holders are as follows:-

  • Ø Take reasonable steps to determine the location of materials likely to contain asbestos (usually this means instructing a survey)
  • Ø Presume materials to contain asbestos, unless there are good reasons not to do so.
  • Ø Make and maintain a written record of the location of the asbestos and presumed asbestos materials.
  • Ø Monitor the condition of asbestos and presumed asbestos materials.
  • Ø Assess the risk of exposure from the asbestos and presumed asbestos materials and document the actions necessary to manage the risk.
  • Ø Take steps to see that the actions above are carried out.

To manage the risk from asbestos-containing materials you will need to:-

  • Ø Keep and maintain an up-to-date record of the location, condition, maintenance and removal of all asbestos-containing materials on the premises;
  • Ø Repair, seal or remove, if there is a risk of exposure due to its condition or location;
  • Ø Maintain it in a good state of repair and regularly monitor the condition;
  • Ø Inform anyone who is likely to disturb it about the location and condition of the materials;
  • Ø Have arrangements and procedures in place, so that work which may disturb the materials complies with CAWR; and
  • Ø Review the plan at regular intervals and make changes to the plan and arrangements if circumstances change.
You must also comply with other health and safety legislation. For example, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM). The term ‘construction’ includes demolition, refurbishment, most maintenance activities as well as new build projects. The CDM Regulations place duties on the client to appoint a CDM Co-ordinator (to co-ordinate and mange health and safety during the design and early stages of preparation) and a principal contractor (to co-ordinate health and safety issues during the construction work). The client should pass any information about asbestos to the CDM Co-ordinator and the principal contractor early enough for any work to be properly planned and any potential risks to be effectively managed. The principal contractor should ensure that the risks from asbestos (etc.) are effectively managed during the construction work. This includes ensuring that any such work is properly planned (in a plan of work), is carried out by competent people and monitored to ensure that the work is carried out as in the plan of work.
Title Specifications
Serpentine As a heuristic rule this is generally non-licensable works carried out in controlled conditions. These are usually products containing Chrysotile Associated colour: White – Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Amphiboles As a heuristic rule this is generally licensable works with the amphibole mineral broken down into 4-types:

Anthophyllite - (Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2 - Associated colour: Green
Tremolite - Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 - Associated colour: Green
Actinolite - Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 - Associated colour: Green
Grunerite (Common name: Amosite) - Fe7Si8O22(OH)2 - Associated colour: Brown
Riebeckite (Common name: Crocidolite) - Na2Fe2+3Fe3+2Si8O22(OH)2 - Associated colour: Blue