Asbestos in Underground Infrastructure

Asbestos cement (AC) pipes were widely used for water mains, sewers, and drainage from the 1950s to 1990s.
AC pipes, ducts, and linings may be encountered during excavation, pipe replacement, and maintenance work.
Cutting, breaking, or drilling AC pipes releases asbestos fibres that cause mesothelioma and lung cancer.
AC pipes in good condition are relatively low risk, but damaged or deteriorated pipes release fibres more readily.
Asbestos lagging and gaskets may be found in underground valve chambers and older pumping stations.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 apply to all work that could disturb asbestos in any form.
AC pipe removal is usually non-licensed work (NNLW) but must follow the specific NNLW notification and control procedures.
Workers must be trained in asbestos awareness and specific AC pipe handling before carrying out any work.
Wet cutting methods and enclosure techniques significantly reduce fibre release during AC pipe work.
AC pipe waste must be double-bagged, labelled, and disposed of through licensed hazardous waste routes.

Fatal disease	Asbestos fibres from AC pipes cause mesothelioma and lung cancer — diseases that kill decades after exposure.
Common encounter	AC pipes are extremely common in underground infrastructure — encountering them during excavation is routine.
Legal duty	The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require specific controls for any work disturbing asbestos materials.

Do

Don't

Check utility records for the presence of AC pipes before any excavation work
Train all workers in asbestos awareness before they work on underground infrastructure
Use wet cutting methods to minimise fibre release when cutting AC pipes
Wear RPE with a P3 filter and disposable coveralls when handling or breaking AC pipes
Notify the enforcing authority of NNLW before starting AC pipe removal
Double-bag AC pipe waste in labelled asbestos waste bags for licensed disposal
Dampen AC pipes before handling to reduce fibre release from damaged surfaces
Decontaminate tools and equipment after working with AC pipe materials
Record all AC pipe encounters and disposal in the project asbestos register
Stop work and reassess if unexpected suspect materials are found during excavation

DON'T break, snap, or dry-cut AC pipes — this releases maximum fibre concentrations
DON'T use power tools on AC pipes without wet suppression and RPE controls
DON'T handle AC pipe sections without gloves, RPE, and disposable coveralls
DON'T dispose of AC pipe waste with general construction waste
DON'T assume modern-looking pipework is not AC — it can look similar to concrete or plastic
DON'T carry out AC pipe work without completing the NNLW notification requirements
DON'T allow untrained workers to handle, cut, or remove AC pipe materials
DON'T use compressed air to clean out AC pipe trenches or chambers
DON'T leave AC pipe debris exposed in the trench for other workers to disturb
DON'T ignore damaged or deteriorated AC pipes encountered during excavation — report them

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

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