Everything You Need to Know About Asbestos Removal

Once a major material used in construction, asbestos was used as fireproofing and insulation in many homes and businesses throughout the country for years, before its serious health implications were discovered. Asbestos can be deadly, causing many decapitating lung diseases and even cancer. Still today, 20 tradesmen die a week due to past exposure, and asbestos kills more people a year than die on the road. If you need to remove asbestos from your property, there are some things you need to know about how to do so in a safe manner; we have all the information you need in this article.

What to do if you find asbestos in your home

It is permitted for asbestos to be dismantled in a domestic setting, however, when you are handling the toxic material, you need to take all the proper safety steps to ensure you are keeping yourself, your family and your neighbours safeguarded. 

Ensure you are wearing the correct safety gear such as disposable paper overalls and an approved asbestos dust mask, and only dismantle your asbestos when the weather is calm to avoid spreading the dust to your neighbouring properties. Asbestos should be dampened with water to reduce the likelihood of dust and airborne fibres being dislodged, and the sheets should be kept whole, if possible. 

Once removed, securely wrap up your asbestos in plastic sheeting and seal it tightly. Dispose of your protective wear and dust sheets and carefully dust down with a damp rag – do not attempt to vacuum or sweep the area as this can spread dust and fibres.  

Handling asbestos should be done with the utmost care and attention, and if you do not feel confident handling the dangerous material and keeping the fibres confined to one space, you should always call in a professional service to uphold the health and safety of anyone in the vicinity.

How asbestos is removed from a commercial property

In the case of asbestos in a commercial property, the landlord or business proprietor should always use a licensed and HSE registered contractor. It is also necessary to contact the Environment Agency to register the removal of the asbestos. Failure to remove the asbestos can lead to a fine of up to £20,000 and an imprisonment sentence of up to 12 months, so it is imperative to set a course of action as soon as you find asbestos in your property.

How is asbestos disposed of?

Asbestos is a form of hazardous waste, which means that there are laws and legislations put in place to ensure it is safely disposed of and does not end up in a landfill where it can run into water supplies and get into our food chain, among other things. This means that all of the usual ways of disposing waste, such as in a bin or skip, are no longer satisfactory. A professional and accredited service will be required to correctly transfer, store, label and dispose of the waste, ensuring that the dangerous asbestos is contained at all times during its disposal.

For safe disposal of asbestos in the area of Essex, including Colchester, Ipswich & Chelmsford, look no further than CSH Environmental. We are experts in dealing with all aspects of hazardous waste, including asbestos disposal. You can rely on us for a meticulous and careful inspection and removal of all asbestos and asbestos containing products, ensuring that your property is returned to a safe and usable condition in no time. Get in contact today for more information or to enquire about any of our waste management services; we’ll be happy to help, no matter the nature of your enquiry.