Rank: Forum user 
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Hi everyone...
Asbestos grey area scenario...
An asbestos survey identifies asbestos as being assumed in the gasket material of some pipework flanges.
If a contractor was to cut the pipework on each side of the flange, leaving the gasket intact and undisturbed between the two flanges. Then the flange were to be double bagged, labelled as asbestos and taken to a waste transfer station to be disposed of accordingly.
Although it is non-licensed work, does the contractor require a hazardous waste carriers licence to transport the flanges (presumed asbestos) to a waste transfer station? Or is a regular waste carriers licence suffice in this scenario?
or,
Does the contractor have to employ a company with a hazardous waste carriers licence to come and collect the flanges from site?
It seems like contractors have go round the houses, and at a considerable cost, to get rid off a couple of gaskets, without ever disturbing the flanges which contain them or knowing whether they actually contain asbestos.
In this scenario it is a gas pipe so it highly unlikely to be asbestos anyway.
Does anyone have any experience of this scenario?
Many thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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Simplest answer is for the gasket to be tested. This can usually be done by sampling the gasket edge. The problem may disappear.
If it is asbestos then the Hazardous waste regulations will apply as the material is likely friable, certainly not firmly bound. Ultimately a licensed contractor would likely be far cheaper for the job as they will be able to use their own systems for disposal.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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It may well be a CAF (compressed asbestos fibre) joint but as your not disturbing it at worst it's going to be notifiable non licenced work so no need to involve specialists.
To be honest if you take a pessimistic view and treat it as hazardous waste it will be cheaper than testing it, confirming it is then paying the money anyway. If its not the testing will be equal to the cost of disposal.
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Rank: Super forum user
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John
Testing is not that expensive. Disposal charges really are expensive for small amounts especially. Putting it into lanfill and being discovered is even more expensive.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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Have a look at the HSE A25 fact sheet,asbestos, essentials for Non licensed tasks
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Rank: Super forum user
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EM9 from HSE is the most succinct document http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/em9.pdfBut remember that you need to demonstrate the 0.1% and this then allows you to go to a suitable accepting site. Always ask the site - do not just rely on your contractor/carrier Bob
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Rank: Forum user
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I stand to be corrected on this but.........
Unless you are removing more than 500kg of hazardous waste from any one site in any one year you do not need a hazardous waste carriers license.
The scenario you are referring to is one which I used to be involved in with my previous employer, mecahnical installations and refurbs etc. and the method you describe is one which we used regularly.
You would need to presume asbestos however and dispose of accordingly, so you need to do your sums i.e. total cost of disposal for hazardous waste against cost of testing and disposal as controlled waste. Hope that makes sense.
DNW
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Rank: Forum user
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Oh and I dont believe it is notifiable, notifiable non-licensed or non licensed. Ultimately you are removing a piece of pipework with the gasket undisturbed and intact, therefore there should be no risk of fibre release providing you seal the outer edge of the gasket with a water/PVA mix.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for your comments and advice everyone.
DNW and John, I am in agreement with your comments.
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