Asbestos Advice Centre

No. Asbestos-containing materials do not always have to be removed simply because they are present. Material that is in good condition, unlikely to be disturbed and capable of being managed safely may sometimes remain in place. Removal can be appropriate where material is damaged, deteriorating or likely to be disturbed by planned work.

Most higher-risk work with asbestos requires an HSE-licensed contractor. This includes work on sprayed asbestos coatings, loose-fill insulation and asbestos lagging, together with higher-risk work on asbestos insulating board or other asbestos insulation. The correct work category depends on the material, its condition, the task and likely exposure, so each project should be assessed properly.

No. The work category depends on the task, condition of the material, duration and likely fibre release. Some short-duration maintenance work can be non-licensed or notifiable non-licensed work, while more substantial or higher-risk AIB work normally requires a licensed contractor. The proposed work should be assessed before it starts.

Licensed work covers higher-risk asbestos activities for which an HSE asbestos licence is required. Non-licensed work covers certain lower-risk activities where the licensing requirement does not apply. Non-licensed does not mean risk-free: the work still requires a suitable assessment, competent people, an appropriate method and effective controls. Some work also falls into the separate category of notifiable non-licensed work.

NNLW is asbestos work that does not require an HSE asbestos-removal licence but is subject to additional requirements. Whether work is NNLW depends on the type of work, the asbestos-containing material and its condition. HSE guidance should be used when deciding how a particular task is classified.

Much work on asbestos cement is non-licensed, but the task still needs to be assessed and properly controlled. Damaged material, poor condition or a method that is likely to break up the cement can change the risk and may affect whether the work becomes notifiable non-licensed work. The material, condition and proposed method should all be considered.

The contractor reviews the available survey and project information, assesses the site and prepares the required plan of work and controls. Access, segregation, enclosure arrangements, decontamination, waste handling and the programme are considered as appropriate. Licensed work is also notified to the enforcing authority where the regulations require it.

An asbestos enclosure is a controlled work area used for suitable asbestos-removal projects to separate the work from surrounding areas. It is normally formed using polythene sheeting with controlled access arrangements. Depending on the project, negative-pressure equipment and decontamination arrangements can form part of the overall control measures.

Negative-pressure equipment is used on suitable enclosed asbestos projects to help maintain inward airflow and reduce the chance of contaminated air escaping from the enclosure. It forms one part of a wider system of controls and must be selected and used to suit the planned work.

Following relevant licensed asbestos-removal work, an independent analyst carries out a four-stage clearance before the area is returned to normal use. The process includes a preliminary check, a thorough visual inspection, clearance air monitoring and a final assessment after the enclosure has been dismantled. A Certificate for Reoccupation can be issued when the required stages have been completed successfully.

The four-stage clearance is carried out independently of the asbestos-removal contractor by a competent analytical organisation. The removal contractor is responsible for leaving the work area ready for the independent clearance process.

Asbestos waste must be contained, handled, transported and disposed of in accordance with the applicable waste requirements. The packaging and handling arrangements depend on the material and the work. Relevant waste documentation should provide a record of the disposal route.

Where refurbishment or intrusive work could disturb the fabric of a building that may contain asbestos, suitable asbestos information is needed before work begins. A refurbishment and demolition survey is intended to locate asbestos-containing materials in the parts of the building that will be affected by the proposed work.

A management survey is intended to help manage asbestos during the normal occupation and use of a building. A refurbishment and demolition survey is more intrusive and is intended to find asbestos in the areas that will be affected by refurbishment or demolition work. The survey scope should match the work being planned.

Yes. Send the survey together with any useful photographs, drawings, specifications and programme information. Our estimating team can review the information relevant to the enquiry and advise whether anything further is needed before a quotation can be prepared.

There is no reliable single price because asbestos projects vary considerably. Cost can be affected by the asbestos material and quantity, condition, access, work category, enclosure and analytical requirements, waste volumes, location, programme and working hours. A survey and clear scope normally allow a more accurate quotation to be prepared.

The programme depends on the amount and type of asbestos, access, site conditions and the controls required. A relatively small non-licensed project may be straightforward, while complex licensed work can require substantial preparation, controlled removal and independent clearance. Each project should be programmed around its own circumstances.

In suitable circumstances, yes. Encapsulation can form part of an asbestos-management approach where the material is appropriate to remain in place. Its suitability depends on the material, surface condition, location, likelihood of disturbance and future use of the area. Encapsulation does not remove the asbestos, so it still needs to be managed afterwards.

Stop work in the affected area and avoid further disturbance. Restrict access as appropriate and obtain competent advice so the material and the circumstances can be assessed. Existing asbestos information should also be checked before deciding what happens next.

Yes. D J Hinton & Co Ltd undertakes licensed asbestos removal and appropriate non-licensed asbestos work. The correct route depends on the asbestos material, its condition and the task being carried out.

Yes. Hintons works across commercial, industrial, public-sector and domestic property. Projects range from individual residential requirements to schools, factories, commercial premises, managed estates, refurbishment schemes and complex licensed-removal projects.

Hintons provides asbestos services across the UK through its office network, with Kidderminster as the head office and regional coverage supported by locations including London, South Wales, North Wales, Doncaster, Gateshead, Mansfield, Basildon and Peterborough.