Should I approach a licensed contractor?

Asbestos removal can be a very stressful process, so  choosing the right contractor is of greatest importance and appointing a Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor (LARS) comes with many benefits.

We are Blue A LTD,  a reliable asbestos removal contractor  known for our holistic approach to this process and impeccable reputation. We are fully licensed by the HSE,  therefore are able assist with all asbestos types, examples of which can be found below:

  • Spray Coating

  • Lagging Insulation

  • Asbestos Cement and Asbestos Insulation Board (Corrugated Sheets, Garages, Barns, Soffits, Down-Pipes & Soil-Stacks, Cladding, Fire-Doors, Bath-Panels etc)

  • Textured Coatings (Artex)

  • Asbestos Textiles (Rope Seals, Gaskets, Fire-Blankets etc)

  • Composite Products (Floor Tiles, Toilet Cisterns, Window Sills etc)

  • Bitumen Products (Roof-Felt, Sink Pads, DPC's etc)

  • Drilling holes in Asbestos Containing Materials

Our service also includes the necessary work connected with asbestos disposal.  More details can be found on our asbestos waste disposal page. Years of experience within the industry  have allowed us to face every asbestos-related challenge.  Not sure if there is asbestos within your property? Have it tested first! Our highly trained office staff are always there to answer any questions you may have, so please do not hesitate to contact us  for a free advice.

What it means to be a Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor

Whilst all asbestos removals require relevantly trained and insured asbestos contractors, some can simply be carried out by a non-licensed asbestos removal contractor. These works, however,  are limited to products which are presumed to create low exposure during the removal (providing that the removal method is safe and the right equipment is used on-site). Licensed asbestos removal works will require a professional contractor, fully licensed by a government body known as the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).  Main advantages of using a licensed contractor such as Blue A LTD are as follows:

  • We can undertake works with any asbestos type

  • All our staff attend professional Operative, Supervisor or Manager training with the relevant industry-accredited certificates issued upon completion. Our knowledge of the industry is of the highest level due to constant improvement, additional training and further education to meet  and exceed the required industry standards: https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/licensing/standards.htm

  • We own all of our professional equipment, often worth thousands of pounds. This enables us to work with all types of asbestos without the need of hiring. Our equipment is carefully maintained, checked and certified every 6 months.

  • Hazardous waste produced on our sites is always disposed of at a licensed landfill and certified.

  • Our works are regularly monitored and reviewed on weekly basis either by Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), HSE or other professional bodies as well as our internal auditors. This way we ensure our removal methods are safe not only for our staff but also for our clients and the quality of work we provide is of top standards.

On top of that, we are proud members of many industry-based associations, such as ARCA, CHAS and ConstructionLine. You can rest assured that even smallest of projects are carried out to the highest standard.

Asbestos removal cost examples

15 sqm Garage cement roof only £780 + VAT
15 sqm Whole asbestos garage removal £2500 + VAT
15 sqm Cement garage ceiling £980 + VAT
15 sqm AIB (insulation board) garage ceiling £2800 + VAT
15 sqm Cement soffits £1100 + VAT
15 sqm AIB soffits £2800 + VAT
10 sqm Textured coating ceiling £960 + VAT
50 sqm Textured coating ceiling £3700 + VAT

These are our average removal cost examples  (prices include waste disposal).

Please be advised that these prices serve only as a guide. They are subject to VAT as well as any additional costs incurred, such as distance, access requirements, any additional works required etc. Please contact us for an accurate quote.

Fully controlled conditions Typical Licensed Job

Enhanced controlled conditions
Works with expected disturbance/braking to asbestos material
Semi controlled conditions
Spray Coating
Lagging Insulation
Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB)
Asbestos Cement (indoors ceiling/braking)
Textured Coatings / Artex
Bitumen Adhesive (grinding method)
Asbestos Cement (Corrugated Sheets, Garages, Barns, Soffits, Down-Pipes & Soil-Stacks, Cladding, Fire-Doors, Bath-Panels etc)
Bitumen Products (Roof-Felt, Sink Pads, etc)
Drilling holes in Asbestos Containing Materials

 


 

Fully controlled conditions
(Typical Licensed Works)
Enhanced controlled conditions
(Typical Non-licensed Works)
Semi controlled conditions
(Typical Non-licensed Works)
This chart explains how much work is involved within typical asbestos removal works.
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Documentation and arrangements
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Plan of Work, Risk Assessment, Method Statement
14 days
If applicable
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Notification to HSE prior to work start (ASB5 form)
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Preparation and erecting of enclosure
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Decontamination unit set-up (5-meter trailer)
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Pre-cleaning of area
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Building an enclosure
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Protecting all surfaces from contamination
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Setting up Negative Pressure Units
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Asbestos Removal
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Wetting Asbestos Containing Material
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Safe removal without exceeding certain exposure levels
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Personal exposure monitoring carried out by an independent UKAS accredited laboratory (20% of jobs)
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Environmental cleaning
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Vacuuming all surfaces using type H industrial vacuum
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Wiping all surfaces inside the enclosure
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Not required
Not required
Site inspection performed by an independent UKAS accredited laboratory.
This is a legal requirement for all licensed asbestos removal works.
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Checking overall enclosure and work set-up and a visual inspection inside enclosure
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On request
On request
Air test inside enclosure
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Decontamination unit - dirty end air test
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Final checks after removal of enclosure
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Asbestos waste disposal
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Double wrapping of all asbestos waste
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Producing Environment Agency consignment note as traceable proof of safe disposal of hazardous waste
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Transferring hazardous waste to Licensed Landfill

White asbestos is one of the most popular and widespread kinds of this carcinogenic material. Contrary to its name it does not have to be pale white, more often it can be described as light grey. Apart from this particular type, the experts who specialise in removal of this material distinguish couple of more kinds of this substance such as blue asbestos, brown asbestos or green asbestos.

White asbestos was one of the most commonly utilized materials in the UK construction industry, prior to 1999 when it was officially banned. Because of its sturdiness and affordability, it has quickly become one of the favourite materials to be implemented. In hindsight, its range of its application is terrifyingly wide as it can be found in walls, roofing or piping, often well-hidden and far from sight.

Due to its universality, white asbestos now has to be removed from hundreds of thousands of properties across the UK. If you happen to live in a building erected between 30 years ago or more, there are reasons to believe that your dwelling could use surveying in order to confirm or rule out the presence of this noxious material.

Also known as tremolite, which in its fibrous form is classified as one of asbestos kinds.
When inhaled it usually deposits in lungs and can cause serious ailments of the respiratory tract such as lung cancer or asbestosis. This substance was largely used in commercial products because of its durability and heat resistance. In addition, there are certain popular products which include this type of asbestos such as paints or plumbing materials.

Contrary to other types of asbestos, tremolite was not mined on its own and was rather an element of other chemical compounds which have been extensively used in construction (talc or vermiculate, to name a few). As it is probably known, when the materials become friable and deteriorate in condition, chances are that there already have been a release of the toxic fibres which can pose a tremendous health risk.

If you believe that your dwelling or workplace may contain crumbling asbestos, you must absolutely report that concern to your manager or decide to hire a professional company that will examine your surrounding. Only this way you can ensure that your living space is 100% asbestos-free.

Chrysotile is considered to be the most popular kind of asbestos. While it can be spotted in similar areas than green asbestos or white asbestos, one can find some consolation in the fact that it takes more exposure of that material to develop the disease syndromes. Curiously enough, that particular variation can be also found in car’s brake linings or seals. All because of its durability and relatively low cost.

According to various kinds of research, chrysotile accounts for over 90% off all asbestos implementation in the United States. That could be explained by the fact that it can be used for more purposes than other forms of this material. For instance, apart from the usual construction implementations, there have been known examples of it being woven into fabrics
At the moment there are only a few mines left where this material is produced. One of the last operational places of extraction were located in Canada and halted its activity in 2011. Out of the few remaining countries which still engage in asbestos mining Russia is the leader with around 55% off the market share.

It is common knowledge for many that asbestos is the most dangerous when it becomes friable. But what does that mean, exactly? What are the legal ramifications to confirm that condition? This article is going to explain all the ins and outs of asbestos removal and all the necessary procedures that need to be taken in order to ensure safe handling of this noxious material.

When it comes to making the friable, non-friable distinction, it has to be mentioned that everything boils down to the condition of a given material. First off, both of these contain more than 1% asbestos in them by weight or area. The fundamental difference is, however, that friable asbestos can be subjected to crumbling when pressure is applied to it, contrary to its non-friable counterpart.

One could ask: how can I be sure that my location has either of these two kinds of asbestos? The answer is plain and simple: if there is a kind of this material present in your dwelling, you have to remember about the fact that it will wear and deteriorate over time. So even the non-friable variations will ultimately become friable and will have to be removed.

Garages are one of the most popular places where asbestos is still deposited. These buildings are rarely renovated and often were omitted during the removal that started at the end of 1980s. Most commonly, asbestos can be spotted on their roofs and can sometimes be dangerous to you and the neighbourhood (especially if it is in poor condition and crumbles). In such cases the risk of asbestos fibres becoming airborne is formidable and has to be avoided at all cost. The best way to do that is hire a professional contractor such as Blue A Ltd.

Asbestos was highly utilised in roofing products throughout a period of even sixty years, between 1920s and 1980s. Because of the material’s extreme durability it found use in an overwhelming majority of constructions built in the UK several decades ago. However, one would be mistaken to think that this chemical is long gone now – the truth is that the material has a life expectancy of up to 50 years and the removal action was far from being a tremendous success. So have your roof checked today!

While garages and roofs may seem like a distant threat to one’s health (although that can be disputed), ceilings containing asbestos can really send a shiver down your spine. After all, being next to a noxious substance around the clock and having it deposited one meter above your head is a rather terrifying vision. However, it still holds true in a lot of buildings with the so-called popcorn ceiling that contained asbestos. Want to know if you are in danger too? Call us and have a special survey done.

And now, the trickiest of asbestos locations – piping. Unless you had a general redecoration done a couple of years ago, chances are that your pipes are still made of that toxic chemical which, in the future, can take a serious toll on your health. These days they are mostly present in lagging, air ducts or chimneys and can pose a great risk, especially if their condition is somehow dubious or already alarming. If you have a feeling that your flat or house could have old piping, dating back to the last century, you should immediately contact our company and get that sorted out!

BLUE A LTD

VAT No: GB 153 4880 02
Company No:08355657

HEAD OFFICE

1 Handford Court
Garston Lane, Watford
WD25 9EJ

CONTACT US

phone: 01923 609858
e-mail: office@bluea.co.uk