Dismantling asbestos
Cement bonded asbestos is the only type of asbestos that you can remove yourself.
All other types of asbestos must be removed by a professional.
The Health and Safety Executive explains where you can find asbestos.
Removing it yourself
If you decide to remove asbestos yourself, you should:
- keep others away from the work area
- work out of doors where possible
- keep the surfaces of the boards wet
- remove the sheets whole and avoid breaking up the material
- wear overalls, preferably disposal overalls. If not make sure you wash them after work.
- wear respiratory protection. Make sure you use the correct type as some masks on sale to the public are not effective for this purpose.
- lay polythene sheeting on the floor and on horizontal surfaces which cannot be hosed and washed down. Dispose of the sheeting with the asbestos waste.
- smaller pieces should be placed in a bag or polythene sack as soon as they are removed. All asbestos should be wrapped in strong polythene.
- clean all surfaces around the work area using a damp cloth or by hosing and sweeping. Dispose of the used cloths with the asbestos waste.
- wash your hands before eating or smoking. Wash your hands, face, and hair after completing the work and removing your overalls
Where sheets are held in place by bolts, spring-headed nails, or other fixings, try to crop the heads of the fixing and lift the sheets clear, rather than try extracting the fixing or break the sheet around the fixing.
You should not:
- use any power tools on any asbestos material.
- use dry processes on asbestos materials, for example, sanding or sawing.
- use a domestic vacuum cleaner to clean up
- carry asbestos through your home
Essex County Council recycling centres do not accept asbestos.
Companies that remove or dispose of asbestos
- Chess Environmental Limited
- Windsor Waste Management Limited
- A.R.C.S Environmental Limited
- Ashbee Solutions Limited
All companies would prefer asbestos to be intact.
