Here is an article released by the HSE on Fly-tipped Asbestos.
Asbestos is still a great danger to public health and if inhaled can cause lung disease. The points below are general guidelines on what to do if you notice asbestos has been dumped in public and is exposed to people in close proximity. Irrespective of the dangers to people, there are still incidents where people have dumped asbestos materials in public. This is a criminal act and if you know of anybody doing such dangerous practices, then please contact the Health and Safety Executive for further advice.
Always remember to only carry out this work if you are properly trained and have the correct equipment for asbestos removal. You should ideally contact asbestos removal company ARK Environmental, based in the West Midlands of the UK.
The main points if seeing asbestos fly-tipped in public:-
Asbestos fibres can kill if humans are placed in contact with the hidden killer.
Keep exposure to asbestos fibres at a minimum by following all the controls in this sheet.
Here are tips on how to prepare a work area contaminated with asbestos fibres.
Restrict access - minimise the number of people present.
Use tape and notices to warn others.
Equipment Needed:-
- 1000-gauge polythene sheeting and duct tape;
- Warning tape and notices to seal off the contaminated area;
- A shovel;
- Tent pegs;
- Water sprayers containing wetting agent, eg diluted washing-up liquid;
- Water container such as a bucket and rags;
- Asbestos waste container e.g. labelled polythene sack;
- Asbestos warning stickers; and
- Clear polythene sack.
For Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Provide:
- Disposable asbestos-protective overalls with a hood;
- Wellington-type boots without laces (laced boots are hard to decontaminate);
- Respiratory protective equipment.
The Asbestos Removal Procedure:
- Immediately notify the relevant authority e.g. Local authority, the HCE, ARK Environmental.
- Estimate the amount and type of asbestos waste.
- If the waste is spread around or mixed with non-asbestos material, get an HSE-licensed contractor to deal with it.
- Disposal - see sheet em9.
- Small amount of any asbestos-containing waste
- Dampen and place pieces in an asbestos waste container.
- Shovel damp residues into the container.
What To Do With Large Amounts of Asbestos-containing Waste:-
- Cover the waste securely with 1000-gauge polythene sheet. Peg it down with tent pegs. -- Attach asbestos warning stickers.
- Mark out an exclusion zone with warning tape.
- If the waste is in an inhabited area, make arrangements to secure the site until it is removed.
What's Required In Asbestos Cleaning and Disposal:
- Clean the equipment with damp rags.
- Put used rags and other waste in the asbestos waste container and tape it closed.
- Put the asbestos waste container in a clear polythene sack and tape it closed.
- Don’t sweep up dust or debris use a Class H vacuum cleaner or damp rags.
- Don’t take used overalls home.
- Don’t re-use disposable PPE.
- Don’t smoke.
- Don’t eat or drink in the work area.
If you require further information regarding the safe disposal of asbestos, then feel free to contact ARK Environmental on 01543 378 317 and ARK will be happy to listen to your requirements and offer safe guidelines on the safe disposal of asbestos related materials for which the disposal you may have responsibility.
Alternatively, click the image below to visit the ARK Environmental website:
