Guidelines And Procedures For Asbestos Removal In The UKThe Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) is a leading, non-profit trade association in the U.K. which is committed to the mission of promoting the image and growth of UK's industry of asbestos abatement. The association works with the enforcing authorities, and companies that are its members to aim for steady improvement in quality, standards, efficiency and safety. Thus, the organization earned itself the reputation of being known as UK's leading trade association in the field of asbestos management services. It provides a few guidelines that are to be followed by all those who deal in the procedures of removal of asbestos. These guidelines include:
1.Disposal of the removed asbestos cement materials, should be done safely. 2.The asbestos materials should always be kept wet. 3.The material containing asbestos should should be delivered safely to the nearest Waste Reception Center. 4.Seek the advice of a local council in case you have some doubts. 5.The waste of asbestos materials should never be disposed in a dustbin. 6.Do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner to clean the dust of asbestos. 7.Avoid breaking of larger sheets of asbestos cement. 8. Use a damp cloth to wipe up the dust of asbestos. Put this damp cloth in a double bag and label it as 'asbestos'. Then dispose this bag as a waste of asbestos. 9. Larger sheets of asbestos cement should be disposed only after wrapping them in polythene. 10. The overalls to be used while removing asbestos should be disposable. Double bag these disposable coveralls , label them as asbestos and dispose as a waste of asbestos. In UK, all properties are surveyed to check the presence of asbestos. Any asbestos that is found is then removed or encapsulated. The asbestos that is left behind is recorded in a public register. The residents are informed of the presence of asbestos and are also instructed about the risks. All the buildings are inspected almost on a half yearly basis. If the presence of asbestos is detected or is found to be damaged, it is re-encapsulated or removed from the erection. This procedure is then again updated in the public register. Some particular methods are used for the abatement of asbestos in UK which are as follows: 1. Removal: This is the safest way to abate asbestos, as it ensures that no asbestos is left behind. 2. Encapsulation: This procedure, though seemingly cheaper, requires constant inspection, tests and maintenance or removal of any asbestos that is present. These procedures are costly and time consuming. Therefore, this procedure is not advisable. 3. Renovation: This procedure is also not recommendatory as it might require correction of design faults as well. 4. Rebuilding/Demolition: These procedures are a better option than renovation, but it requires permit from the central government. The grant for such a procedure is given by UK's central government only when the estates are privatized. Also, the local residents of UK are allowed to make a decision, as to what is to be done to their estates or homes and what policy to be pursued for asbestos removal. |