Licensed vs non-licensed asbestos removal: what is the difference?
Before conducting any repairs or refurbishment work that may disturb asbestos, property owners must have a suitable survey carried out to determine whether the work activity would pose a hazard to workers and building occupants.
Asbestos removal work is labelled as licensed or non-licensed depending on the level of risk.
What is licensed asbestos removal?
Licensed asbestos removal is work that needs to be conducted by an HSE-licensed contractor because the risk involved is deemed to be high. Workers who are qualified to remove high-risk asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) have undergone intensive training and follow stringent working practices. They will also have specialised PPE equipment and are legally required to be under regular medical surveillance.
Examples of licensable work include the removal of asbestos insulating board (AIB), pipe lagging and loose-fill insulation.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) needs to be made aware of any licensed asbestos removal projects.
What is non-licensed asbestos removal?
Non-licensed asbestos removal means that the contractors do not need to be HSE-licensed to carry out the work as it is classified as lower risk.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, work with ACMs without a licence must meet specific conditions and exposure must not exceed the legal control limit. It is also important that the asbestos fibres within the materials in question are well-contained or covered by another material, and workers should not be deliberately trying to disturb or break up the ACMs.
Examples of non-licensed work with asbestos includes the removal of floor tiles, textured decorative coatings (providing that this can be done without the deterioration of the textured coatings) and the removal of asbestos cement sheeting.
In some cases, the local council may need to be informed. This is referred to as notifiable non-licensed asbestos removal. This would be the case if the removal area was large or if the project involved working with asbestos cement that was in poor condition.
What type of asbestos removal do I require?
It is important to adhere to licensing regulations. Fines and even imprisonment can apply to duty holders for failure to follow the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
During the asbestos survey, the assessor will examine the friability, ACM type and level of exposure to workers to accurately identify the classification and type of asbestos removal that the project will require.
The friability of asbestos refers to its ability to be crushed or broken down into smaller pieces. The more friable the asbestos is, the more dangerous it is to health and the more likely your project is to require licensed asbestos removal. Many types of thermal insulation will require licensed asbestos removal. Certain ACMs such as vinyl floor tiles and cement will be non-licensed if the materials are in good condition.
Ultimately, a thorough asbestos survey assessment will be able to determine the nature of the asbestos within your building and the assessor will be able to make recommendations for appropriate removal.
If the outcome of the survey deems either licensed or non-licensed asbestos removal to be necessary, Henderson Environmental can help.
Whatever the risk level, we offer a comprehensive range of specialist asbestos removal and management services in line with national health and safety standards and regulations.
Get in touch for further information.