I am looking for expert advice from those with experience of working with asbestos cement roofing sheets. The scenario is - we have an AC roof onsite which is being over-sheeted with a metal roof followiing damage late last year. The AC roof is fully intact with no damage, it was the previous metal sheet which was blown off by the wind. Problem - the metal sheets are to be fixed to metal brackets which are in turn fixed to the purlins on the roof structure. In order to do this the roofers must drill through the AC sheeting in order to attached their metal brackets to the roof purlins. They have the experience of working on similar roofs for other local (well known) companies, so dont doubt their experienced. The HSE website provides some advice on working with AC, defining it as non-licensed work (which is not notifiable) but based on "short, non-continuous maintenance work on asbestos cement (AC)". However, I am struggling with this meaning in relation to the work mentioned above. The roofers believe this is non-licensed given that although they will have to drill many holes, the drilling is very short duration (3-5seconds per hole) and is interspersed with other preparation work before fixing sheets in place, so they regard it as non-continuous. To further complicate matters - the provide more advice by means of a flow chart: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a0.pdf The roofers will be using the approved HSE AE9 document i.e. using paste to capture fibres. We will also be carrying out static air monitoring for the first 2-3 days in the warehouse just to prove to ourselves there are no issues. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks

I meant to add - the building is an empty warehouse with no (immediate) risks to persons below.

Is it possible that they do not want to notify as they do not want to have medicals etc that go along with carrying out NNLW ? I agree with the last post, it appears that these operatives are fully aware of what is required so why not notify Regards PaulR

I May be missing the point here, but if the roofing sheets are in 1 piece as you described, why are you over sheeting? Simply bond the fibres with paste as you described, remove the anchors to the steel and fit the new roof direct to the existing purlings, thereby removing the issue of drilling and dust as well as preventing yourself further trouble in later years when the roof may need repairs. Maybe they are really trying to reduce the final waste disposal costs, these costs i cannot imagine will ever reduce in time.

Ron, as I mentioned, the contractor is employing the methods indicated in HSE Asbestos Essentials 9 - which is to use glue or paste to capture fibres. Or, are their other control measures which I should be looking at?

Hi Ron, Thanks for the message. No problem at all - appreciate your comments. I spoke to contractor this morning and they have confirmed they have face-fit testing certs and that all Operators on the project have Asbestos Awareness trianing. They have indicated this morning that they may well notify the HSE given the number of holes having to be drilled. I see no harm in it. Initially I posted to get other peoples opinions on CAR2012 - and the responses have been most helpful. Thanks again to all who have responded.

Good spot Bob - the contractor in this instance should have Category 2 training.