ASBESTOS REMOVAL
Many people have worries about asbestos, but undisturbed, asbestos usually poses no problems.
However, care should be taken to prevent the release of fibres as they can cause serious damage to your health. If you suspect that you may have asbestos within your property, the first thing to do if you are concerned is to have it tested. After all it may not be. At least if you have it tested you will know either way
Finding out whether it contains asbestos or not is not the only reason you get it checked. If you are planning on having it removed, you need to know who can remove it for you as some types of asbestos can only be removed, by a company who are licensed on the Isle of Man by DEFA. The Isle of Man has very strict asbestos regulations inline with those in the UK and include licensing of contractors. In principle there are 3 different types of asbestos removal:
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Non - Licensed Asbestos Removal
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Notifiable Non - Licensed Asbestos Removal and
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Licensed Asbestos Removal
So what is the difference?
In a nutshell its all about the risk.
ASBESTOS SOFFIT REMOVAL (AIB)
Licensed Asbestos Removal
Some type of asbestos materials are very friable and easily release fibres into the atmosphere, making its removal a very specialist process, requiring the work to be undertaken within a sealed enclosure whilst under negative pressure.
This type of work requires a licence, has to be notified to the Health and Safety Inspectorate at DEFA. The type of asbestos materials that are licensable are Thermal insulation and Lagging, normally found on heating pipes and boilers, spray asbestos coatings which was typically used as fire proofing and asbestos insulation board (commonly referred to as AIB) which has been used in place of plaster board where building control required fire stop on places like integral garage ceilings and soffits to name but a few of the applications
LICENSED ASBESTOS REMOVAL
Notifiable Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal
Whilst not, in the same category as licensed materials, some materials are potentially broken out of there matrix during removal such as textured decorative coatings (such as ArtexTM) and paints and also require a sealed sealed enclosure whilst under negative pressure.
This type of work whilst not licensable, still has to be notified to the Health and Safety Inspectorate at DEFA. The type of asbestos materials that are notifiable Non licensed works also include:
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Removal of asbestos cement products (eg roof sheeting) where the material will be substantially broken up, creating significant quantities of dust and debris (eg ‘dropping’ an asbestos cement roof).
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Large-scale removal of textured decorative coatings (TDC) (more than 1 square metre (eg beyond that required for maintenance activities such as installation/ replacement of smoke alarms and light fittings).
SEALED ENCLOURE WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE
Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal
Whilst not, in the same category as licensed materials, some materials are potentially broken out of there matrix during removal such as textured decorative coatings (such as ArtexTM) and paints and also require a sealed sealed enclosure whilst under negative pressure.
This type of work whilst not licensable, still has to be notified to the Health and Safety Inspectorate at DEFA. The type of asbestos materials that are notifiable Non licensed works also include:
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Removal of asbestos cement products (eg corrugated roof sheeting and cement based soffits, gutters and down pipes)
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Removal of asbestos containing vinyl floor tiles
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Small-scale removal of textured decorative coatings (Less than 1 square metre (eg as required for maintenance activities such as installation/ replacement of smoke alarms and light fittings).
Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal
This type of works can be carried out by competent, Non-Licensed asbestos removal trained and insured contractors.
Like licensed contractors they do have to meet basic statutory legislative requirements including:
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Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal Training
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Respirator Face Fits
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Regulation 7* - Plan of Work (Method of Work)
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Asbestos Removal Liability Insurance
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Vehicle Waste Insurance to Carry Waste
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6 monthly DOP Tested Type H Vacuum Cleaners
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UN approved asbestos labelled packaging
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Issuing waste consignment notes
Typically the Non licensed asbestos removal contractors training whilst in accordance with regulation 10*
Where a regulation* is referred to it is inline with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 as applied to the Isle of Man
Notifiable Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal
This type of works can be carried out by competent, Notifiable Non-Licensed asbestos removal trained and insured contractors like licensed contractors they do have to meet basic statutory legislative requirements including:
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Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal Training
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Regulation 22* Asbestos Medicals
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Health Surveillance
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Respirator Face Fits
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Regulation 7* - Plan of Work (Method of Work)
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Regulation 9* Notification
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Asbestos Removal Liability Insurance
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Vehicle Waste Insurance to Carry Waste
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Sealed airtight enclosure where required (TDC)
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6 monthly DOP Tested Negative Pressure Unit
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6 monthly DOP Tested Type H Vacuum Cleaners
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UN approved asbestos labelled packaging
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Issuing waste consignment notes
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Issuing EM 10 upon completion of works
Where a regulation* is referred to it is inline with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 as applied to the Isle of Man
Licensed Asbestos Removal
This type of works can be carried out by competent, Notifiable Non-Licensed asbestos removal trained and insured contractors like licensed contractors they do have to meet basic statutory legislative requirements including:
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Licensed Asbestos Removal Training
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Regulation 22* Asbestos Medicals
-
Health Surveillance
-
Respirator Face Fits
-
Regulation 7* - Plan of Work (Method of Work)
-
Regulation 9* Notification
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Asbestos Removal Liability Insurance
-
Vehicle Waste Insurance to Carry Waste
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Sealed airtight enclosure required
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6 monthly DOP Tested Negative Pressure Unit
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6 monthly DOP Tested Type H Vacuum Cleaners
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UN approved asbestos labelled packaging
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Issuing waste consignment notes
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Independent UKAS Analyst
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4 stage clearance and issuing certificate of reoccupation
Where a regulation* is referred to it is inline with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 as applied to the Isle of Man