Many people think asbestos is something we left behind years ago. But if your building was put up before the year 2000, there’s a good chance it’s still hiding in your walls, ceiling tiles, pipe lagging or old cladding. Left untouched, it’s not usually a risk. But once disturbed, tiny fibres can float through the air and cause serious illnesses like asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma sometimes decades later.
If you’re a facilities manager, a landlord or a building contractor, you have a duty to know if asbestos is present and deal with it properly. Taking shortcuts might feel tempting, but it can cost you dearly not just in fines, but in people’s health. Done right, safe asbestos removal protects everyone and avoids bigger problems down the line.
What is the UK Asbestos Regulation
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 sets out exactly what building owners and employers must do to manage asbestos safely. If you own, manage or look after a commercial or industrial building, you’re legally responsible for checking whether asbestos is present and keeping people away from harm.
It’s not just about ticking a box either. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can and does hand out big fines to anyone who ignores the rules or tries to remove asbestos themselves without a licence. Worse still, cutting corners could leave you facing court cases if people get sick years later.
Where Does Asbestos Hide?
One of the biggest challenges is that asbestos isn’t always obvious. It was used in so many building materials from sprayed coatings to floor tiles and cement panels that it can turn up almost anywhere.
That’s why it’s vital to get a proper asbestos survey before doing any work that might disturb walls, ceilings or old pipework. A licensed surveyor will check your site and give you a clear plan for how to manage or remove any asbestos safely.
Why Professional Removal Is Worth It
Some building owners still think they can save money by handling asbestos themselves or hiring cheap labour, however, asbestos removal is never a DIY job. The risks are too high, and the law is too strict.
A professional, licensed contractor will know how to handle asbestos properly. They’ll seal off the area, use special equipment to stop fibres escaping and wear full protective clothing to keep themselves safe. A professional company will also dispose of all waste properly so it doesn’t end up harming anyone else.
How Safe Removal Works
Your asbestos survey will highlight where the asbestos is, leaving the contractor to plan how to remove it with the least risk.
On site, they’ll seal off the work area with heavy-duty plastic sheeting and maintain negative air pressure using specialist filters. This stops any fibres leaking out into other parts of the building.
They’ll use wet removal methods too, spraying asbestos materials with water to stop dust spreading. All workers wear disposable suits, gloves and approved respirators. Waste is double-bagged, sealed, labelled and taken to a licensed hazardous waste site. After removal, the area is cleaned and air-tested to check it’s safe for people to return.
What Happens If You Get It Wrong?
Trying to cut costs can backfire quickly. If asbestos is disturbed and fibres are released, you could end up contaminating the whole site. That means extra clean-up bills, project delays and potential legal action. In serious cases, your whole building might need to close until it’s safe again.
Besides the legal trouble, you’d be putting people’s health at risk including your own staff and contractors. No one wants that on their conscience.
Best Practice for Building Owners and Managers
If you own or manage buildings that might contain asbestos, here are a few sensible steps:
- Arrange an asbestos survey.
Get a licensed surveyor to check your property and keep your records up to date. - Keep an up-to-date asbestos management plan.
Make sure staff and contractors know where asbestos is and how to avoid disturbing it. - Use licensed removal experts.
Always choose a contractor with the right licence and training. Ask for references if needed. - Check disposal paperwork.
Your contractor should give you all the documents to prove the asbestos was disposed of safely and legally.
Why RM Contractors Is Trusted for Safe Asbestos Removal
At RM Contractors, we specialise in safe, fully compliant asbestos removal for commercial and industrial sites across the UK. Our trained, licensed team handles every step from initial surveys and risk assessments to careful removal, certified disposal and all the legal paperwork.
With decades of experience, the right equipment and full accreditations, we help facilities managers, landlords and contractors deal with asbestos properly without hidden risks or nasty surprises.
Asbestos isn’t something you can ignore. If your building contains it, you have a legal duty to manage it properly and a moral duty to protect everyone who works or visits there. The safest way to do that is by working with experts who know exactly how to find it, remove it and dispose of it the right way.
Done properly, asbestos removal gives you peace of mind and keeps people safe for years to come.
FAQs About Asbestos Removal
- How do I know if my building has asbestos?
If it was built before 2000, you should get a survey done by a licensed professional. - Can I remove asbestos myself?
No. It’s illegal to remove most types of asbestos without a licence and proper training. - What happens if asbestos is disturbed?
If fibres are released, they can spread through the air and pose serious health risks. That’s why safe removal and proper containment are so important. - How much does asbestos removal cost?
Costs vary depending on how much asbestos there is and where it’s found. It’s always cheaper than dealing with fines or a contaminated building later. - Where does asbestos waste go?
Licensed contractors take it to special hazardous waste sites. It can’t go in normal skips or household bins.
