CAN YOU REMOVE ASBESTOS YOURSELF?

PROFESSIONAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL

Can I remove Asbestos myself?

 

It is advised that you never attempt to remove asbestos yourself. Once asbestos has been damaged, it can become dangerous as the asbestos fibres are released into the air and might be breathed in.

Where asbestos is disturbed and airborne fibres are created it creates a significant risk to health. The risk is present for both you and those around you as well as those you come into contact with following the disturbance from transfer onto clothing and footwear.

Airborne Asbestos fibres are not visible to the naked eye so it can be hard to tell if asbestos has been disturbed or not.

You must not touch something that you believe to be Asbestos if you come across it. Instead, you should keep it isolated and refer to a professional for a survey, information on different types of surveys and costs can be found here. If asbestos is present, it is advised that you bring in an expert who has received specialised training, is insured and knows how to handle and dispose of Asbestos properly.

Any attempts you make to remove Asbestos would seriously endanger both yourself and the people around you. People who are near disturbed asbestos run the risk of inhaling asbestos fibres and contracting illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, and pleural thickening, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can be found here.

It is a legal requirement for commercial property owners and anyone who acts as the Duty Holder under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR2012) to manage the asbestos within a property. The legal requirements for removal of asbestos are extensive and must be followed to the letter to avoid possible prosecution by the HSE and serious health risks to workers and visitors on site.

The legal requirements for home owners are more limited. Where considering removal within your own residential property it is important to assess the material type, your knowledge of Asbestos Removal and how you will decontaminate and dispose of the Asbestos legally. You still have a number of legal duties in the home which include ensuring yourself and others remain safe and no contamination of areas occurs and disposal of Asbestos to the current regulations. As such the vast majority of sensible home owners do not remove their own Asbestos containing materials. We would always recommend that you consult an expert every time to ensure your safety and that of those around you.

If you're interested in learning more about recognising asbestos check out our blog posts here or if you're working somewhere where asbestos exposure might be a concern, contact us.

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