Asbestos Removal

Once we receive an enquiry by telephone, email, fax or post then an enquiry file will be generated and one of our contracts managers will be then appointed to oversee the project from ‘cradle to grave’ ensuring the client has direct contact with someone familiar with the works at all times.
The project will be discussed and then a detailed quotation will be sent to the client as soon as possible. Following the clients instructions to proceed, the enquiry will be converted into a contract file and another visit to site will be undertaken to discuss the contract in more detail, planning the works, agreeing the dates to undertake the work etc and preparing a detailed risk assessment and method statement for the project, including relevant sketch plans etc...

Once the method statement and risk assessment have been compiled, if the works are deemed as ‘notifiable’ then the relevant enforcing authority will be notified of our intention to start (usually the HSE but sometimes the local council). The statutory notification period to commence asbestos removal works is 14 days where applicable.

Following the 14 day notification period, and on the agreed commencement date, the Contracts Manager and the specialist team of asbestos removal operatives will arrive on site and the asbestos supervisor will be shown the works by the Contracts Manager and briefed on all details including the scope of works and method statement/risk assessment.

The works will usually require a full enclosure to be constructed to prevent the spread of asbestos fibres to other areas during removal. This will involve the area being fully sheeted up using 1000 gauge visqueen and cloth tape, spray adhesive and timber supports where necessary. A 3 stage airlock and baglock system will be also constructed and a decontamination unit supplied to allow all operatives to safely shower and decontaminate themselves following the removal works. The enclosure will also be subjected to negative pressure by providing negative pressure units to ensure at least 8 air changes an hour are observed.

Once the enclosure is fully constructed, a smoke test will be undertaken to ensure no leaks are present. This involves filling the enclosure with a replica type smoke. Any leaks identified will be appropriately sealed prior to removal works starting. The negative pressure units are then switched on to ensure the smoke clears within 7.5 minutes, proving 8 air changes an hour are taking place.

Following a successful smoke test, the works can commence. Operatives will wear the specialist respiratory protection equipment and also type 5/6 disposable overalls at all time during the removal works. In addition, other general personal protection equipment such as gloves will be worn.

The asbestos removal process varies depending on the type of asbestos material being removed, however standard operating procedures such as ‘wetting down’ and shadow vacuuming will be undertaken. All asbestos will be double bagged or double wrapped and sealed prior to disposal at a licensed landfill site for asbestos waste.

Following the removal of all asbestos from the enclosure, the area will be fully vacuum cleaned and wiped, prior to an independant UKAS accredited analytical company visiting site and carrying out a 4 stage clearance including air monitoring to ensure the area is safe for reoccupation. Once the analytical company have passed the 4 stage clearance, they will issue our company with a ‘Reoccupation Certificate’ which we then pass on to our client as evidence of job completeness for safekeeping. The project will be invoiced and the waste consignment note also sent to the client, again as evidence of where the waste has been disposed of for the clients safekeeping.