Posted By Richard Webber Pat, First of all, before opening the ground, try to find out about the pipe and its use. How deep is it, how big is it, what flows through it, clean water or effluent? Get an estimate of the flow in the pipe in litres per hour. This information may come from the responsible person in the Factory, or perhaps from a Water Company. Contact them and ensure that permission is granted (if required) to work in proximity to the pipe. Find out if the flow is dependant on rainfall or factory rhythms. If the pipe fractured with people in the trench, would this inundation be hazardous? The asbestos pipe may be distressed or fragile so the run of the pipe should be discovered by hand, and it should also be exposed by hand, leaving it supported by the ground at all times. The condition of the pipe can then be assessed. Look for spalling and discoloration. Asbestos fibre wouldn’t necessarily be a problem but check that with an asbestos expert. Contact a Temporary Works Engineer and tell him everything that you have discovered about the pipe and its use and detailed information about your planned work and your anticipated work methods and trench support system. Commission him to design temporary works to: support the pipe, allow your excavation. Carefully examine the Risk Assessments returned to you from the Temporary Works Engineer. Undertake your own Risk Assessment of the work and incorporate any risks identified by the Engineer. Ensure that your work method and equipment is compatible with the temporary works design. And then there is all the paperwork......... Hope this helps Richard

Posted By steven bentham Pat The pipe is likely to be asbestos cement [that can vary in its condition to deal with]. From a health and safety point of view you should have a method statement that covers dealing with asbestos cement, assuming the pipe is wet?, ppe, training for staff and a bag an disposal of the cement pipe bits, if its very large this could be done with a mechanical digger. The risk from the asbestos cement is very small. You have far greater risks to deal with [loss of water supply, plant and equipment, work in excavations, lifting operations etc] As the others have said, try avoid the pipe as the disruption to supplies will be a major issue.