Rank: Forum user 
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We are due to replace lamps in a school for a principal contractor, we have completed the majority of the school apart from several classrooms with AIB's as ceilings. I would like any advice regarding changing the lamps in the fittings. We are not removing the fitting only the lamps, i am concerned to the possible contamination of fibres within the fitting prior to opening. We are to use a tower scaffold due to the height, would it be advisable to use a HEPA hoover upon opening, obviously with the necessary PPE.
Or is the HEPA hoover overkill as the possibility of fibres getting into the fitting should be nil if they were fitted in strict regulation to the legislation.
Your thoughts appreciated.
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Rank: Forum user
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Assume contamination, is always the safer option
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Rank: Forum user
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Will your Insurances cover you for working "with asbestos?"
If not, you may need to consider using an electrical contractor that has, or alternatively using a licensed asbestos contractor (as a simpler option).
Rodger Ker
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Rank: Forum user
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I would like to use an asbetsos contractor but there is also a slight conversion required to the wiring to accomodate the new LED lamps. I think an adequate risk assessment and a safe system of work will be suffice but I am still open to opinions
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Task A5 in the HSE Asbestos Task Manual (HSG210 -free to download) should provide context, particularly given the accompanying picture shows a suited and masked operator. Either way, I suggest the task is one requiring specialist training, face-fit RPE etc.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If you have no way of sampling the fitting for contamination first assume there is contamination and check your insurance. This is just a suggestion and only that (it may well be flawed).....:- If using an asbestos licensed electrical contractor for all the wiring work is out of the question, how about using one to undertake a test of your chosen method of working, carrying out some personal samples/air tests as they do a representative sample of the work. If you protect your staff in a suitable manner, use H-type vacs, train your staff accordingly and if the control limits and action levels were not exceeded in the test then you could use this information to help justify doing the electrical works yourself. On completion you could then also do a reassurance air test in each room to show that there was no significant fibre release and that the area is suitable for reoccupation. However you will also have to ensure that you have good procedures in place if things do go wrong and tiles break or are damaged during the works. Access to a licensed contractor will then be needed in any case in order to clear up.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If using a vacuum that has been hired in for the job (complete with HEPA filter) who is responsible for the correct disposale of contents gathered up - whether they contain asbestos fibres or not.
This question cropped up at a safety forum meeting some time ago . The job entailed drilling 4 small (7MM) holes in an artex ceiling. At most a thimble full of debris would be generated - not all of which would be asbestos .
The contractor was reluctant to "clean" the vacuum before returning it to the hire shop. Equally, he was not prepared to drive his van (commercial) to the municipal waste site to dispose of the "waste". The site did not accept "commercial "waste although it had an asbestos waste disposal facility.
We never did resolve the question. The "waste" was delivered intact to the hire shop!
Any asbestos specialist care to provide a robust answer.
Jon
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Rank: Forum user
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the information supplied is vague, is the school live, closed, undergoing refurbishment etc etc. I would expect the principle contractor to have acess to the abestos management register/folder, this would be your starting point, as in here you would find, when it was last surveyed, what type of survey has been done,what state the asbestos is in, has it been sealed etc etc. From that decide on you plan of work, if in doubt seek specialist advice
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