Asbestos Cement Products

Asbestos cement contains 10-15% chrysotile (white) asbestos bonded in a cement matrix.
Common products include roof sheets, gutters, downpipes, flue pipes, water tanks, and soffits.
Asbestos cement was widely used in the UK from the 1950s to the late 1990s and remains in many buildings.
When intact and undisturbed, asbestos cement poses a low risk — the fibres are bound in the cement.
Breaking, drilling, cutting, or weathering asbestos cement releases dangerous respirable fibres.
Removal of asbestos cement is non-licensed work but must comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
A written plan of work and HSE notification (NNLW) are required before removal begins.
The material must be removed intact wherever possible — breaking it multiplies fibre release.
Asbestos cement waste must be double-bagged, labelled, and disposed of at a licensed hazardous waste site.
Health records for workers carrying out NNLW on asbestos cement must be kept for 40 years.

Cancer risk	Asbestos fibres from damaged cement products cause mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Widespread presence	Asbestos cement is found in millions of UK buildings — encountering it is common.
Legal duty	The Control of Asbestos Regulations require notification, controls, and health records.
Fibre release	Damaged, weathered, or broken asbestos cement releases significantly more fibres than intact material.

Do

Don't

Identify asbestos cement through a survey or laboratory analysis before any work.
Prepare a written plan of work and notify the HSE before removal begins.
Wet the material thoroughly before and during removal to suppress fibre release.
Remove sheets and components intact wherever possible — do not break them.
Wear RPE with a minimum APF of 20 and disposable coveralls during removal.
Double-bag all asbestos cement waste in labelled red asbestos waste bags.
Use hand tools only — never use power tools on asbestos cement materials.
Dispose of waste through a licensed hazardous waste carrier and facility.
Keep health records for all workers involved in the removal for 40 years.
Decontaminate tools and equipment before leaving the work area.

DON'T break, drop, or throw asbestos cement materials during removal.
DON'T use power tools, drills, or abrasive wheels on asbestos cement.
DON'T dry sweep asbestos debris — use wet methods or an H-class vacuum.
DON'T remove asbestos cement without a written plan of work in place.
DON'T handle asbestos cement without RPE and disposable protective clothing.
DON'T mix asbestos waste with general construction waste in skips.
DON'T walk on asbestos cement roof sheets — they are fragile and may contain asbestos.
DON'T pressure wash asbestos cement materials — it releases fibres into the air.
DON'T skip the HSE NNLW notification before starting the removal work.
DON'T assume weathered asbestos cement is safe — degradation increases fibre release.

See also: Asbestos Awareness | Non-Licensed Asbestos Work (NNLW)

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