When you’re planning a demolition, your focus will most likely be on the obvious dangers: working at height, heavy machinery, unintentional structural collapse and more. However, there’s one major hazard often hiding out of sight that can have serious long-term consequences – asbestos.
Asbestos has been officially banned since 1999, and while you might think this means it’s not something you have to worry about, it’s estimated to still be present in 1.5 million buildings across the UK.
To protect workers, the general public and the environment, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 were established, setting out specific guidance on how to safely identify and remove asbestos. But how do you ensure a demolition is asbestos compliant? The team at Hill Demolition is here to explain.
Why must a demolition be asbestos compliant?
- It ensures everyone’s safety: When asbestos is disturbed, it releases microscopic fibres which, when inhaled, get lodged deep in the lungs. This can damage the lung tissue and increase the risk of developing serious conditions such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
- It’s a legal requirement: All demolitions across the UK must adhere to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and failing to comply could see the building owner or manager face unlimited fines or, in serious cases, prosecution and potential imprisonment.
- It helps avoid delays: If you’re mid-way through a demolition and asbestos is found, all work must stop immediately until it can be safely assessed and removed, which can cause disruption and expensive delays.
- It prevents environmental contamination: Asbestos doesn’t degrade or decompose over time, which means it can remain hazardous for decades to come. Once disturbed, the fibres can contaminate nearby soil and create a serious environmental hazard.
How to ensure your demolition is asbestos compliant
- Schedule the relevant pre-demolition surveys: Before any work can begin, you’ll have to arrange a raft of pre-demolition surveys to assess the building’s structural stability. However, if the building in question was constructed before 2000, then you’re legally required to schedule a Refurbishment and Demolition Survey to ensure any asbestos-containing materials are located and assessed. You can find more information on which buildings are most likely to have asbestos present in this previous article.
- Prepare an asbestos management plan: If the presence of asbestos is confirmed, you’ll have to prepare an asbestos management plan. This will confirm the location of any asbestos-containing materials, outline the risk level and explain how it will be safely managed and controlled.
- Arrange for licensed asbestos removal: Asbestos is incredibly dangerous, so it must be removed by a licensed professional, like Hill Demolition, to ensure it is handled safely and in full compliance with all regulations. The area should be sealed off, the correct PPE must be worn and then removal can be carried out using approved techniques, such as the wetting down method.
- Choose a trusted demolition company: For a smooth process, make sure to work with a trusted demolition contractor who has plenty of experience working on projects where asbestos is present.
- Document all compliance evidence: You must keep a complete paper trail to prove that you’ve complied with all regulations; otherwise, you might leave yourself open to legal action.
Since 1968, the team here at Hill Demolition has been supporting customers across London, Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas with a whole host of demolition services. Whatever the size or scale of your planned demolition, we’ll ensure everything goes ahead without a hitch – contact us to get a free quote or find out more.