Can you imagine how we felt when just around the corner from us we were met with this skip. So much Asbestos a layer of soil is hiding more sheets of the shed or garage roof.
Ray saw red as I posted a letter and he spotted it first. What utter madness. Asbestos from a roof broken and open to the elements with Asbestos rope.
We are fighting a loosing battle trying to get through just how dangerous asbestos is.
It was the weekend so there was nothing we could do so I put a picture on the local towns forum.
Firstly the conversation was it wasn’t asbestos it was cement.
Can I remove asbestos roof myself?
While there are no legal restrictions in you doing so, it is advisable that you do not remove asbestos roofs on your own. Instead, hire a reputable contractor who will ensure that the materials are properly removed and disposed of. Find a UK contractor here.
One of the widest uses of asbestos in the building industry was in roofing. Due to its heat and fire resistant properties asbestos was added to many roofing products including roofing tiles.
Asbestos tiles did not comprise solely of asbestos. Asbestos roofing tiles are actually largely made from cement, with the now banned product added into the cement mixture. Depending on the manufacturer, the cement tiles comprised typically of between 10-15% asbestos.
In addition to its heat and fire resistant properties, asbestos has excellent strength and durability features. New homes built prior to 1970’s with asbestos roofs, were lauded for the longevity of their roof systems, as the roofs had a life expectancy of 30-50 years.
Having or buying a home with asbestos tiles does not mean you need to remove the tiles especially if they are still in good health. If you know or suspect you have cement asbestos shingles, it is advisable that you monitor your roof to check for its health.
If you are planning renovations or if indeed the roof becomes damaged or begins to deteriorate, the roof may need to be removed and replaced with safer non-asbestos containing roofing products.
Asbestos roof removal cost
As asbestos cement is considered a relatively low risk asbestos material you do need not a licensed contractor to remove it. However, it is advisable that you use a competent and experienced contractor who is aware of the guidelines associated with its safe removal and disposal.
The costs of asbestos roof removal vary greatly depending on the configuration and size of the area that needs to be cleared. It is advisable that you hire a technician or specialist to conduct a survey. Expect to pay several hundred pounds for the survey. The survey will provide you with the information you need to obtain an estimate for the costs of removal. By way of a rough estimate, expect to pay several hundred pounds for the removal of asbestos roofs from garages, and up to a few thousand pounds for removal of asbestos roofs on houses.
The people on the forum were more worried about getting the builder into trouble and his loosing work than the fact that the builder has taken this roof down with no protection so endangering himself to Mesothelioma 20/30 years down the line. Taken fibres home on his clothes for his partner to wash, and then maybe cuddle his children so harm his family.
The wind is blowing and people are passing this skip.
I was advised by a man to take the picture off until I had proved it was asbestos.
I gave up and asked my expert friends and they took it more serious.
Inside
A. Asbestos cement Water tank
B. Pipe lagging
C. Loose fill insulation
D. Textured decorative coating eg artex
E. AIB ceiling tiles
F. AIB bath panel
G. Toilet seat and cistern
H. AIB behind fuse box
I. AIB airing cupboard and/or sprayed insulation coating boiler
J. AIB partition wall
K. AIB interior window panel
L. AIB around boiler
M. Vinyl floor tiles
N. AIB behind fire
Outside
O. Gutters andAsbestos cement downpipes
P. Soffits – AIB or asbestos cement
Q. AIB exterior window panel
R. Asbestos cement roof
S. Asbestos cement panels
T. Roofing felt
*AIB = Asbestos Insulating Board
I gave him the name on the skip and he emailed to them. Today the company has made the builder cover the skip and is going to remove it in a couple of days.
So everyone has been made aware people do care and they should make sure they do the work properly. The HSE has all the advice so there is no excuse
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a14.pdf
Preparing the work area Ensure safe access – you may need a mobile access platform. Restrict access – minimise the number of people present. Close doors. Use tape and notices to warn others. Ensure adequate lighting.
Equipment 500- and 1000-gauge polythene sheeting and duct tape Warning tape and notices Bolt cutter Webbing straps and rope Garden-type sprayer containing wetting agent Bucket of water and rags Asbestos waste bag Clear polythene bag Lockable skip for larger quantities of waste Asbestos warning stickers
Personal protective equipment (PPE) – see sheet em6 Provide: disposable overalls fitted with a hood; boots without laces (laced boots are hard to decontaminate); respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
Procedure Check with the premises owner that only AC is present. Protect nearby surfaces from contamination. Cover with 500-gauge polythene sheeting and fix with duct tape to non-asbestos surfaces. Overlaying AC sheets Can you overlay sheets with non-asbestos material instead of removing the AC? If so, attach the material to existing purlins. Avoid drilling through the AC. If you cannot avoid drilling, see sheet a9.
Removal Avoid or minimise breaking the AC. If fasteners hold the sheets in place, dampen and remove them and place them in the asbestos waste bag. If the sheets are bolted in place, dampen and cut the bolts while avoiding contact with the AC. Remove the bolts or fixings carefully and place them in the asbestos waste bag. Unbolt, or use cutters to release gutters, drain pipes, ridge caps etc. Avoid contact with the AC. Lower large pieces to the ground. Don’t drop them or use rubble chutes. Stack sheets carefully. Where there are several AC sheets and other large items, place them in a lockable skip.
Double-wrap large pieces in 1000-gauge polythene sheeting. Seal with duct tape. Attach asbestos warning stickers. Place small pieces in the asbestos waste bag.
Cut the bolts while avoiding contact with the asbestos cement. Double-wrap large pieces in 1000-gauge polythene sheeting and seal with duct tape
Cleaning and disposal Clean the equipment and the area with damp rags. Check for debris in fasteners or bolt holes. Clean with damp rags. Put debris, used rags, polythene sheeting and other waste in the asbestos waste bag and tape it closed. Dispose of contaminated webbing and rope as ‘asbestos waste’. Put the asbestos waste bag in a clear polythene bag and tape it closed. Disposal – see sheet em9.
Personal decontamination See sheet em8.
Clearance and checking off Visually inspect the area to make sure that it has been cleaned properly. Clearance air sampling is not normally required. Get the premises owner, dutyholder or client to check off the job.
To be honest having read this it seems every rule has been broken and I fear for their health. When will we ever get through to people just how dangerous Asbestos is.
If you find asbestos contact the experts!
https://www.allpro-environmental.uk/asbestos-advice/
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