Working with Asbestos Cement (Asbestos Containing Materials)
Throughout the UK and Europe there are a multitude of workplaces still clad in asbestos cement from roofing to rainwater to any number of other similar items. Back in the 50’s and 60’s this ‘wonder material’ was marketed as a solution to all building problems due to its characteristics for strength, lightness and fire resistance.
Asbestos training and working safely with asbestos materials
The legacy which we’re left with is having to manage a potentially harmful material on almost every industrial estate and commercial building which was built during this time and, sadly, people don’t always take the right precautions or have the right asbestos training.
A recent case highlighted the use of poorly thought out methods being put into practice which exposed persons unnecessarily to asbestos fibres. Both a manufacturing company and the contractor were prosecuted for using a high pressure jet washer to clean asbestos cement roofing with fine well into the thousands of pounds.
However, help is at hand and HSE have some useful and practical advice for those with asbestos cement roofs and similar. Use the guidance below to ensure that you or your contractor put the right precautions in place before work starts to ensure the safety of your staff, neighbours and other who could be affected;
HSE Guidance: Work with asbestos cement (AC) (non-licensed) (asbestos training)
- A9. Drilling holes in asbestos cement (AC) and other highly bonded materials
- A10. Cleaning debris from guttering on an asbestos cement (AC) roof
- A11. Removing asbestos cement (AC) debris
- A12. Cleaning weathered asbestos cement (AC) roofing and cladding
- A13. Repairing damaged asbestos cement (AC)
- A14. Removing asbestos cement (AC) sheets, gutters, etc. and dismantling a small AC structure
- A15. Removing asbestos cement (AC) or reinforced plastic product, eg tank, duct, water cistern
- A16. Painting asbestos cement (AC) products
- A35. Replacing an asbestos cement (AC) flue or duct
- A36. Removing an asbestos cement (AC) panel outside, beside or beneath a window
keep you staff safe when working at height. To secure a place(s) please complete the registration page at: 
s over recent years but still has a significant opportunity to make our high-hazard industry safer still and to drive down the alarming rates of accident and ill health linked to construction work in particular to refurbishment projects.