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Home Page > Environment and Planning > Environmental health > Health & Safety > Asbestos
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Asbestos and businesses

For details about asbestos in non-domestic premises please see the separate page on this website, available by clicking here.

 

Asbestos in the home

 

An information leaflet is available for householders which details how you can deal with asbestos found in the home.

 

Asbestos can be found in various areas around the home and garden, including textured coatings (such as artex) on walls and ceilings, old storage heaters, car break linings and garage roofs.  If you have an asbestos roof to your garage take care not to use an abrasive brush when sweeping the surrounding guttering as you may sweep into the air asbestos fibres.

 

Asbestos materials in good condition that cannot readily be damaged are often best left where they are because removal can lead to higher levels of fibres in the air for some time afterwards. Check the condition of asbestos materials from time to time to make sure they have not become damaged or started to deteriorate. If you are planning home improvements or maintenance and have asbestos in your home, always inform builders, maintenance workers or contractors before they start work.

 

Disposing of asbestos

Some asbestos materials (sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards) must always be removed by contractors with a special licence issued by the government. These licensed contractors have to follow regulations to ensure asbestos is safely removed. Sometimes it is dangerous to have asbestos materials removed – for instance fire-protection materials – without replacing them with a suitable alternative.

 

Cement Asbestos

Please remember – this advice is for dealing with cement asbestos ONLY.

If you have to dismantle the structure in which cement asbestos is present it is advisable to take the following precautions:

 

  • Clear the area surrounding the structure prior to starting work
  • Pre-wet (with water) the cement asbestos to be worked with
  • Wear gloves and a disposable face mask suitable for work with asbestos
  • Remove the cement asbestos with as little breakage as possible – DO NOT BREAK UP UNNECESARILY
  • If tools are needed to help removal use hand, not power tools. This will reduce the amount of dust
  • Wrap and seal large pieces in heavy duty plastic sheeting
  • Damp down any debris and place along with smaller pieces of asbestos and used face masks/gloves in double plastic bags.

 

Disposing of asbestos

  • Do not put asbestos waste in a dustbin or skip. It is classified as hazardous waste and must continued to be handled with respect until it can be safely disposed of by contractors licensed to carry asbestos.
  • Do not break or damage asbestos sheets, as fibres will be released.
  • Contact Customer Services to arrange collection on 01664 502502

 

For further information please contact Environmental Health on 01664 502502

 

Finding a licensed asbestos contractor

The Health and Safety Executive keeps an up to date register of licensed asbestos contractors. For further information please click on the link below:

 

HSE webpage for licensed asbestos contractors

 

 

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