With asbestos having been such an extensively-used building material across the 20th century before the complete ban in 1999, it’s no surprise that many residential and commercial property owners will come across it often.
If you know that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are indeed present within your premises, you may be wondering: ‘can I remove asbestos myself?’ Though this may seem like an attractive, cost-saving idea, it is one laden with risk to yourself and any other building users. Carry on reading to learn more!
Is Asbestos Safe?
Due to its versatility, asbestos-containing materials can take various forms, whether it be: asbestos ceiling tiles and floor tiles, asbestos insulating board (AIB), asbestos cement roof sheets and so on. Because of this, ACMs were included in many building projects across the UK and worldwide, meaning that it’s still very common to have ACMs within your property if it was built before 2000.
However, that’s until the UK government started to recognise the health and safety links between inhaling asbestos fibres, and pulmonary health conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) note that ‘you cannot see, smell or feel the fibres in the air or on your clothes, so you do not know they are there’, showing how easy it can be to be unknowingly exposed and put at risk.
As a result of this, it is extremely important to exercise caution around these ACMs to ensure they are not disturbed or broken without the proper safety measures in place.
Remediation, or Removal?
If you’re worried about ACMs within your property, asbestos removal may not be the first port of call – and it is essential that you have the materials tested and analysed by a professional laboratory before proceeding with either remediation or removal. The results of the samples extracted will reveal which type of asbestos is used within the material and the risk factor should the materials be left in situ.
In many cases, asbestos remedial works would be the first recommendation instead of removal. This is at the discretion of the asbestos surveyor who will inspect the type, location and condition of any ACMs within your property. If an untrained and incompetent individual decides to remove ACMs themselves when only remediation is needed, they are not only taking further unnecessary action, but are also massively placing themselves at risk of asbestos exposure.
Who Can Remove Asbestos?
The UK law takes a very strong stance on who is permitted to legally and compliantly remove or remediate asbestos. Individuals who are not trained, competent and experienced in asbestos removal should categorically not attempt to remove asbestos-containing materials. Licensed asbestos contractors such as the team at Reddish Vale, are essential for the compliant and safe removal or remediation of asbestos.
For more information on when to consider a licensed asbestos contractor to undertake the work, you can read the HSE’s guidance here.
Dangers of Removing Asbestos If Not Trained and Competent
With all this in mind, we return to the question: ‘can I remove asbestos myself?’. Those who attempt to remove asbestos without the proper training and competence levels immediately open themselves up to risk of the previously-mentioned health risks. In fact, the HSE have recently declared that there are now, on average, 5,000 deaths a year in the UK relating to asbestos exposure.
There are other safety and compliance measures to take into account. For example, proper PPE and RPE is required to safely remove and dispose of high-risk ACMs, including a specialised face-fitting mask to prevent any airborne fibres from accessing your airways during the process. In addition to this, you must also consider the severe legal implications of not acting in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. In short, if you are not trained and competent, it is not worth the risk.
Do You Require Help With Asbestos Remediation or Removal?
Here at Reddish Vale, we have been dealing with all types of asbestos-containing materials for decades. If you’re in need of support for your domestic or commercial property, please get in touch with us for a no-obligation free quote today!
