Guest Post: How is asbestos dealt with during demolition?

Asbestos is a building material that was commonly used throughout properties (both commercial and domestic) in countries all over the world. This was until it was linked to numerous asbestos diseases. These include illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

Since the year 2000, the UK government has imposed stringent restrictions and laws regarding the handling and treatment of asbestos. It is illegal to mine, produce, import or sell Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in the UK now, but there are still countless buildings in this country that are fitted with these products.

ACMs can include a wide variety of items, from fire-retardant boards to loft insulation. Asbestos was so highly regarded at one time due to the fact that it doesn’t burn, and because it has excellent sound and heat insulating properties.

Asbestos and demolition
If you’re planning on carrying out any kind of demolition works, you’ll need to factor in time for asbestos surveys.

It is illegal to conduct demolition or remodelling works without a proper asbestos survey detailing the location, state and amount of asbestos located within the building.

During this survey, the asbestos technicians will be able to decide whether the asbestos needs to be removed prior to the demolition (this is always preferable). If, however, the asbestos is in a different part of the building and won’t be disturbed by the works, it may be possible to maintain it instead.

This information must then be imparted to all involved in the demolition works.

Assessing the risk of asbestos contamination
One of the biggest concerns when carrying out demolition works on sites that contain ACMs is that the asbestos fibres will contaminate the area.

This is why asbestos technicians must properly assess the risk of this happening before making any decisions.

Various health and safety issues will also be taken into account when deciding on this, such as whether the work will put employees in danger, whether residual rubble will contain too high an asbestos content, and whether the building will remain structurally sound once ACMs are removed from it.

Disposal and recycling of asbestos rubble
All rubble containing asbestos must be disposed of properly to contain any risk of contamination.

Waste materials with an asbestos content of less than 0.1 per cent can be recycled as hardcore. ACMs with a higher content must be disposed of at a hazardous waste landfill.

Facilities for employees
Demolition of buildings containing ACMs can produce a high amount of asbestos dust, which in some cases, can go on to cause lung disease.

Prior to entering the site contractors should wear personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment. This is to ensure that fibres are not inhaled or deposited on clothing and then inhaled after protective equipment has been removed.

All demolition workers should have access to an on-site shower. Although this is not mandatory, it is advisable so that workers can wash any residual asbestos dust from themselves before leaving the site. The correct safety gear must be worn at all times as well.

Asbestos can be a particularly tricky subject to handle when it comes to demolition, but as long as companies follow all of the recommended guidelines and properly dispose of ACMs, it can be easily managed.

This guest blog was written by Aurora Johnson on behalf of Northern Insulation Contractors, a company specialising in asbestos surveys and asbestos removal. Aurora is a writer with much experience in the property and construction sectors.