Asbestos can be very dangerous indeed. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but it can be present in a huge range of building, construction, and decorative materials. Because it wasn’t fully banned in the UK until 1999, it still turns up all over the place. It’s our job to find it, remove it, and dispose of it safely for our clients. So how is asbestos disposed of? Here’s what you need to know about asbestos disposal.
How to dispose of asbestos safely? It’s usually a job for the experts, for people who understand the risks and know how to handle the substance safely and securely.
In the UK, local councils have their own asbestos disposal rules and regulations. But some rules apply nationally, set out by the Health and Safety Executive or HSE.
When you want to dispose of waste containing more than 0.1% asbestos, special labelling and disposal requirements come into play. You should never mix asbestos containing materials or ACMs with other waste to get below 0.1% level. And you need to double-bag the waste in plastic to stop it escaping, vital when each fibre is a great deal finer than a human hair, impossible to see with the naked eye. Your local council website will tell you exactly what to do.
In England and Wale you must label the bags ‘Hazardous Waste’ and mention that it’s asbestos-containing. In Scotland your label must say ‘Special Waste’, and also state the contents contain asbestos. Labels often come with a large white A, which clearly states the presence of asbestos. Whatever labelling you use, it has to be clear and obvious to anyone handling the bags.
If you need to move large quantities of asbestos, you need to take just as much care over preventing it from escaping. You need to seal skips properly, not just cover them with a plastic sheet. You must split the skip into compartments and make sure the compartment for asbestos or ACMs is easy to keep clean and lockable.
A Waste Consignment Note is essential if you want to dispose of asbestos. You might have to provide your old Waste Consignment Notes to the Health and Safety Executive for auditing, which means you’ll need to keep them for three years after the disposal date.
Most ordinary tips and landfill sites won’ take asbestos or materials containing it. The same goes for business waste tips. But your local council will have a suitable facility. Contact them to find out exactly what’s what, or visit their website.
Because things can get so complicated, it’s usually best to tap into the skills and experience of as properly licensed contractor who can handle the issue from end to end. Companies like ours are frequently reviewed and audited to make sure we’re disposing of asbestos in the safest way.
All our asbestos inspection services meet the standard laid out in ISO 17020. We’re qualified to create a workable asbestos action plan for clients, as needed to meet Regulation 4 (Duty to Manage) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Our professional team delivers a full management service tailored to your needs, whether that means a bespoke asbestos management plan, scheduled re-inspections, surveys, or remedial works. We can also provide policies, carry out training, and keep your asbestos management plans up to date.
