Posted By Peter MacDonald
Dave

Asbestos in these items are at the lower end of the risk (towards cement bonded materials) however, in the process of removing them they are notifiable to the HSE two weeks prior to removal and full PPE is worn by operatives during removal within enclosures. Disposal should be under SEPA (in Scotland) notification to a registered landfill site.

Peter MacDONALD

Posted By Paul Cook
The shires cisterns present on our site were identified as containing amosite.
Kids had started to engrave their names into them and a couple of lids had been damaged, which put them at high risk according to the generic RA form used for most asbestos registers, i don`t think it took into account the asbestos being tightly bonded with the polymer as you mentioned or the fact that it is always kept wet by the two gallons of water kept inside the cistern.

Removal of amosite or AIB is always governed by the 28 day rule i think (unless its an emergency job)

Posted By Charles Robinson
Asbestos essential task manual HSG210 £8.50 from hse books gives advice on removal of various asbestos products task A15 covers removal of asbestos cement products such as flues and tanks A 15 is set out below as a guide there are 25 tasks covering even task such as cleaning light fittings attached to asbestos insulating board and even removing a screw in asbestos insulating board.

A15: Removal of asbestos cement products such as flues and tanks

Description
This task guidance sheet can be used where asbestos cement products such as flues, ventilation ducting and tanks need to removed from areas such as lofts (Figure 43).

Figure 43: Asbestos cement water tank

It is not appropriate for work with asbestos insulating board.

If the asbestos cement product is no longer needed and will not interfere with any other installations/work then it is best to note its location and make sure it stays in good condition.

Only carry out this work if you are properly trained. See EM2 – Training.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Disposable overalls fitted with a hood.
Boots without laces (laced boots can be difficult to decontaminate).
Disposable particulate respirator (FF P3).
Equipment
500 and 1000 gauge polythene sheeting and duct tape.
Warning tape and notices.
Hammer.
Bucket of water, garden type spray and rags.
Suitable asbestos waste container, eg a labelled polythene sack.
Asbestos warning stickers.
Appropriate lighting.
Preparing the work area
This work may be carried out at height, if so, the appropriate precautions MUST be taken.
Carry out the work with the minimum number of people present.
Restrict access, eg close the door, and/or use warning tape and notices.
If the asbestos cement product is in an area like a loft, board out an area which can be worked on large enough to prevent contamination of adjacent loft insulation.
Use 500 gauge polythene sheeting, secured with duct tape, to cover any surface within the segregated area which could become contaminated. (Avoid creating a risk of slips).
Ensure adequate lighting.
Removal
Where possible minimise breakage of the asbestos cement.
If asbestos insulating board is present (eg on a flue) a specialist contractor licensed by HSE must do the work.
If it can be removed whole, strengthen damaged sections of asbestos cement with duct tape.
Where possible remove the asbestos cement product intact by unscrewing supports. If this is not possible, dampen the asbestos cement.
Wrap the asbestos cement in 1000 gauge polythene sheeting before breaking.
Using the hammer, carefully break the asbestos cement product into pieces small enough to be removed (Figure 44).
Figure 44: Breaking asbestos cement
Place debris in the waste container.
Double wrap large items in 1000 gauge polythene sheeting and attach warning stickers.
Cleaning
Use wet rags to clean the equipment.
Use wet rags to clean the segregated area.
Place debris, used rags, polythene sheeting and other waste in the waste container.
Personal decontamination
Use EM8 – Personal decontamination.
Clearance procedure
Visually inspect the area to make sure that it has been properly cleaned.
Clearance air sampling is not normally required.

What you need to read
Tower scaffolds Construction Information Sheet CIS10 (rev) HSE Books 1997
General access scaffolds and ladders Construction Information Sheet CIS49 (rev1) HSE Books 2003
EM1 – What to do if you uncover asbestos materials or they are damaged during the task
EM2 – Training
EM5 – Wetting asbestos materials
EM6 – Personal protective equipment
EM7 – Using rags to clean surfaces and equipment contaminated with asbestos
EM8 – Personal decontamination
Remember to read the safety checklist.