Bye Bye Asbestos
Licensed asbestos removal
Pipe lagging, sprayed coatings and most asbestos insulating board are licensed work. Here’s what that involves.
What licensed work is
Some asbestos materials release fibres much more easily than others. Work on these higher-risk materials, such as pipe and boiler lagging, sprayed coatings, loose fill and most work on asbestos insulating board (AIB), is licensed work. Under regulation 8 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 it must be carried out by a contractor holding a licence from HSE.
What’s involved
- A plan of work, and notification to the enforcing authority on form ASB5 at least 14 days before work starts
- An enclosure around the work area, kept under negative pressure, with a decontamination unit
- Air monitoring during the work
- A four-stage clearance by an analyst accredited by UKAS (HSE strongly recommends an independent one), and a certificate of reoccupation before the area is used again
- Waste removed as hazardous waste with consignment notes
Checking a licence
Before you book anyone for licensed work, check that they hold a current HSE licence. HSE publishes a list of licence holders, which you can find through HSE’s licensing pages. See choosing an asbestos contractor.
How we can help
Tell us what you’ve found. We can survey or test the material so you know exactly what it is, and we’ll explain whether the work is licensed and what happens next. Don’t disturb suspected lagging, sprayed coatings or insulating board in the meantime.
Licensed asbestos removal: ask for a quote
- Survey or test first when it isn’t clear what a material is
- Work planned to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE guidance
- Written paperwork: reports, results and waste consignment notes
- Asbestos waste double-bagged or wrapped and taken to a permitted site