I'd be interested in opinion of those regularly involved in dealing with ACMs. We need to cut an aperture in a ceiling which has previously been covered in a textured coating which we suspect may contain asbestos. We will test to verify this. Assuming it does we will develop a plan to prevent/reduce exosure, deal with any emergency and prevent spread of the material using appropriate equipment and will carefully cut around the perimeter of the hole and ideally remove the redundant piece whole or in large pieces - for appropriate disposal. We will not remove the textured coating from the plasterboard backing. The question is: Is this work notifiable non licenced

We only have the flowchart at page 5 of http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a0.pdf to guide us, and that's quite often as clear as mud. My opinion? Stick to hand-tools, shadow vac and do all the things you mention. Follow the task manual. Non-notifiable.

Just to be crystal clear ("hand tools") I mean no power tools!!!

When oh when will the HSE get somebody with competence to draw flowcharts. The initial loop is to decide if the work is notifiable and thus licensed work. The ceiling falls into the third category as it is at worst textured coating. The second loop decides if it is now notifiable non licenced the first box here is totally incorrect and one should start on the second row of boxes. I do note the time requirement is dropped out in this section but as I read the 2012 regs it is still relevant but this is a moot point. Finally I do wish that the HSE would learn to use the correct box styles for logic/algorythm drawings. As this is textured coating all HSE evidence is that the asbestos is firmly bound unless vigorously abraded which I think is unlikely in your scenario. Bob

Ron You are right - assuming NNLW does mean only medically supervised workers being used. The other way to look at it is - If only the people at HSE were adequately competent then the mess up would not have occurred. I cannot but feel that the competence level of the HSE is falling. We can all remember the older HSE inspectors whose views and thoughts could be respected and relied on. Not so much now I fear. The best seem to become consultants by the age of 40 following disillusionment with the system. Bob

Many thanks for the replies - they were very helpful. Also reassuring that it was not only me who found that blessed flow chart confusing

Ron A case of the blind leading those willing to ignore. Ineptitude seems such a weak word for what is now happening to a once respected regulator. Bob

While looking at the "Asbestos Essentials Task Sheets", as suggested by others, may be of some assistance, it doesn't answer the question of whether the work being considered is in fact "Notifiable Non-Licensed Work" (NNLW) or not. To find out log onto the HSE website and enter "asbestos nnlw" and that will provide all the information required on the whole topic. Rodger Ker