Rank: Forum user 
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Good Morning, Please accept my apologies if this has been brought up before. As part of one of our projects, we have to remove a number of ACMs from a building, it is all non-licenced work for which we are suitably qualified. however, there is a small area, less than 1m that a survey states contain Amosite (the rest of the ACMs contain Chrysotile) Our client claims that as it is Amosite, we will need to employ a specialist asbestos removal company and undertake the works as either Notifiable Non-Licensed Works or even Licensed Works I don't claim to be any expert on the Asbestos Regs, but I cannot find any reference that states that Amosite must be treated differently to Chrysotile (except in terms of disposal). As the amount of ACM is less than 1m2, the way I have read the regs is that the removal can be carried out as Non-Licensed Works I would appreciate any pointers from my colleagues, thank you in advance
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Rank: Super forum user
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As far as I am aware, (and I profess that I am no expert), it is not the type of asbestos that determines whether or not it is licensable work, it is the type of product, (ie lagging, asbestos insulation board [AIB], sprayed coatings), and the friability/hazardous nature of the product which determines the need for a license. In the main work with lagging/insulation, sprayed coatings and most AIB will require a license, irrespective of what type of asbestos it is made up of. The HSE's FAQ's link below should provide some clarity and identifies the limitations and extent to which you might be able to work with AIB products. In any case you and your operatives must be suitably trained etc....;
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/licensing/licensed-contractor.htm
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 2 users thanked chas for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks very much Chas. That is the way I have read it as well
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Rank: Super forum user
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Please read L143 Regulation 3 (2) Paragraph 50 – 60 Take note of table 3. Then look at paragraph 31. Setting up includes setting enclosures and clearing up including dismantling. If this can be done within the 2 hrs then it will be classed as short duration. You will need to use a facton to suppress and lock the fibres I prior to removal then follow standard procedures.
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1 user thanked SteveL for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks very much for your response SteveL. But I still don't have an answer to my original post. Do I need to treat Amosite differently to Chrysotile? From what I have read, it is down to the product and its friability, nothing to do with the type of asbestos
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Rank: Super forum user
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Citizengas Asbestos is in two types Serpentines and Amphiboles, serpentine is Hydrophillic (water loving) amphiboles are Hydrophobic (water hating). Serpentine is Chrostile and the other 5; Amosite, Crocidolite, Actinolite, Anthophyllite & Tremolite are amphiboles. The least friable of these is Sepentine and easier to contain with water.
All of the others are considered to be licenced work; unless bound within cement or any article of bitumen, plastic, resin or rubber or textured decorative coatings; which can then be Notifiable Non Licenced Works (NNLW). Or working for under two hours per week. two persons one hour each. More easily to read information is available within Asbestos Essentials available on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm#a3 So in answer to your question; Yes you do have to treat it differently.
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Rank: Forum user
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Citizengas
As chas has already stated, the type of asbestos has absolutely no bearing on who can carry out the work. What needs determining is the type of product the asbestos has been identified in. If it is AIB then the work would be notifiable and possibly licensable, depending on the amount and condition. If less then 1msq and in good condition then it might be possible to remove as NNLW. The best way to proceed at this point is to revisit the survey to determine the material
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Rank: Super forum user 
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What is the product and what condition is it in? Do you receive the survey before you start works on site?
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