Asbestos materials in good condition that cannot readily be damaged are often best left where they are because removal can lead to higher levels of fibres in the air for some time. Check the condition of asbestos materials from time to time to make sure they have not become damaged or started to deteriorate. If you are planning home improvements or maintenance and have asbestos in your home, always inform builders, maintenance workers or contractors before they start work.
Asbestos materials that are slightly damaged can sometimes be repaired by sealing or enclosing the material - SEEK ADVICE on the most appropriate action.
Asbestos materials that are badly damaged or deteriorating can release dust and should be removed. Some asbestos materials (sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards) must always be removed by contractors with a special licence issued by the government. These licensed contractors have to follow regulations to ensure asbestos is safely removed. Your local environmental health officer should be able to provide advice on asbestos removal and licensed contractors.Sometimes it is dangerous to have asbestos materials removed -for instance fire-protection materials - without replacing them with a suitable alternative.
REMEMBER
If you think that your warm air heating system, electrical storage heating system or flameless catalytic gas heater may contain asbestos then SEEK ADVICE from your local gas or electricity supplier. If they do contain asbestos, do not attempt to dismantle these appliances yourself, but SEEK ADVICE from your local council.
If you have asbestos materials in your home, extra care should be taken when doing DIY. DO NOT attempt work involving sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards, as this must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removal contractor. If in doubt, SEEK ADVICE. If you do any DIY with asbestos materials take the following precautions.
1. Keep other people away from the area of work.
2. Wear protective clothing (e.g. overalls), preferably disposable, and avoid breathing in asbestos dust (a disposable dust mask 'CE' marked to EN 149 with FFP2 particulate filters is recommended).
3. Keep asbestos materials wet to avoid producing dust.
4. Work outside if possible and avoid working overhead.
5. Do not drill, cut or disturb asbestos unless absolutely necessary. Do not scrape or sand asbestos materials before painting and decorating (consider covering over existing decorations rather than attempting to remove them). Some types of asbestos materials are very soft and can release large numbers of fibres if rubbed or scraped.
6. Use hand tools rather than power tools.
7. Do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner to clear up the dust. Hire an industrial vacuum cleaner that conforms to BS 5415 (Type H).
8. When you have finished work, clean up and then take off the overalls carefully, to avoid raising any dust which may have collected in the fabric. In the case of disposable overalls, double-bag them, clearly mark ASBESTOS and dispose of as asbestos waste. Wash non-disposable overalls straight away, separately from other clothing, in a washing machine.