Dismantling & Removing Asbestos Cement Sheets
Please note that this advice relates only to asbestos cement sheets an not any other type of asbestos product.
Dismantling and removing asbestos cement sheets presents special problems, especially if they are old and crumbling.
On roofing, in addition to the risks associated by working at heights, asbestos sheeting is quite fragile and may not stand the weight of a person – even when new.
If demolishing a building or simply replacing an asbestos roof, the roof panels should, wherever possible be removed first, with extra care being taken not to break the panels.
The roof panels should be kept wet at all times during the dismantling and wherever possible, should be carefully lowered onto a clean hard surface.
Waste and debris should be kept damp and removed from the site as soon as possible to prevent it being crushed underfoot or by moving vehicles.
Broken asbestos sheets should never be bulldozed into piles.
Asbestos debris and waste should never be dry-swept.
The asbestos waste must be disposed of properly and safely. Wrapping in polythene is recommended, prior to loading into skips.
If you are considering dismantling and removing an asbestos cement roof on an industrial or commercial property, we strongly recommend that a small sample of the roof profile is tested to determine the type of asbestos present.
Whilst most asbestos cement roofs and rainwater goods contain only Chrysotile (white) asbestos, we have found many examples where the more dangerous Crocidolite (blue) asbestos has also been present.
Please see our asbestos testing page for more information, or call David Carter on 0121 711 7110 Monday – Friday 8:30 – 6pm.
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