Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a number of ways in the construction of buildings for many years.
Unfortunately, it has been progressively discovered that asbestos fibres, when inhaled into the lungs, can cause serious health problems.
It was outlawed in the United Kingdom in 1999.

Asbestos is still present in a high proportion of buildings in 2022. Here, we look at all aspects of asbestos removal as well as what to
expect if you need asbestos removed.

If you think you have asbestos on your property, you should get rid of it as quickly as possible. But first, it’s critical to know where you
stand legally when it comes to asbestos on your property.

Your legal responsibility

If you own a non-residential building, you have legal responsibilities when it comes to asbestos and its maintenance. The Control of
Asbestos at Work Regulations of 2002 established guidelines for non-residential property owners, saying that owners have a “duty of
care” to everyone who uses the facility to safeguard them against asbestos hazards.

Asbestos is found in around 1.5 million homes in the United Kingdom. Many of these structures are commercial or industrial in nature.
The building’s owner or caretaker has a duty of care to minimise and lessen the risk of asbestos fibres becoming airborne and being
breathed into the lungs, posing a health concern.

In some situations, this will necessitate the removal of asbestos from your property. However, before you make this move, you should
think about your other options.

The first step is to conduct an asbestos survey.

Just because asbestos is present in a building doesn’t mean it has to be removed. In many circumstances, removing the asbestos is more
risky than leaving it in place. Of course, it’s possible that having the problematic material removed from the premises is the best option ”
especially if you’re having any kind of construction, decorating, or demolition work done.

In any event, having an asbestos survey performed should always be the first step. Professionals conduct asbestos surveys on your
property, looking for any item that could be or contain asbestos. After that, samples of the material are taken to determine whether
asbestos is present and in what state it is in.

Is it necessary to remove the asbestos?

The asbestos survey results will assist you in determining whether any asbestos is present and needs to be removed. If the asbestos is in
good condition, it may be preferable to leave it in place, especially if it will not be damaged.

When asbestos is discovered during renovations, it is usually required to have it removed. If you plan to do more, this is the time to have it
removed. However, in these instances, working with professionals is critical.

Is it possible for you to remove the asbestos by yourself?

As a building owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that any asbestos work is done properly and safely. This is achievable if you or
members of your team have particular and relevant experience working with asbestos and feel confident removing it without the
assistance of professionals. However, this must always be subjected to a full safety assessment, and it should never be done if it is not
possible to do so safely.

Working with asbestos removal specialists that have firsthand experience working with asbestos and removing it from buildings may make
more sense.

If you want to learn more about asbestos removal or schedule a team of asbestos specialists to work with you, please contact us. Please call the team right away. We can handle everything from asbestos surveys to asbestos removal safely.