This guidance is intended to explain how to dismantle an asbestos garage with the minimum of risk to yourself and your family.

Asbestos cement sheeting - the risks

Asbestos cement sheeting is commonly found as grey corrugated or flat sheets. It is thin and brittle and produces a clean edge when broken. It contains a small amount of asbestos encapsulated within cement, which, in good condition, does not normally present a risk to health.

Asbestos fibres are released when the cement sheeting becomes broken or is drilled, sawn, scrubbed or sanded. The fibres can then become airborne, which can be easily inhaled and cause damage to the lungs. Asbestos fibres are known to cause a cancer which in all cases kills.

Please remember that any work on asbestos cement garages may generate airborne asbestos fibres. The following precautions are given in good faith but all operations with asbestos are undertaken at the individual's own risk.

Getting help

If you do not feel confident performing these operations yourself after reading this advice, we recommend that you contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor for advice. A list of suitably qualified asbestos removal contractors can be obtained from either of the following trade associations:

> Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) website
> Asbestos Control and Abatement Division (ACAD) website

Further information on working with asbestos can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive website or contant the Health and Safety Team.

Other types of asbestos

Other asbestos products, that tend to be found in the home, include insulation board, asbestolux plasterboard, and insulation surrounding warm air heating systems. These products present more risk to health due to the location in which they are found and the type of asbestos involved. In order to minimise risk to your family’s health we would strongly recommend that you contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor for advice. Again we would suggest that you contact a suitably qualified asbestos removal contractor from either of the trade associations (ACAD or ARCA) shown above.

Carrying out the work yourself - before you start

1. Read these instructions carefully and plan the job.

2. Ensure you have the following items to hand:

• Strong polythene and parcel tape
• White disposable overalls to wear during the operation - available from good DIY outlets
• Disposable dust mask suitable for work with asbestos (Certified to EN149 or EN405 Protection Factor FFP3) -available from good DIY outlets
• A hose and a supply of water
• A small hand drill or hand saw
• Spanner for undoing bolts

Dismantling the garage

Do

• Prevent children, or anyone else who may be affected by the work, from entering the immediate work area
• Wear a suitable disposable dust mask to prevent inhalation of asbestos fibres
•  Wear disposable overalls. These should be taken off before re-entering the house. These overalls will prevent asbestos fibres clinging to your clothes where they could cause contamination
• Carry out all dismantling operations on firm level ground that can be hosed down afterwards
• Wet all sheeting prior to and during any dismantling operations. This will help prevent asbestos fibres becoming airborne. 
• Where panels are to be removed, thoroughly wet the area around the fixings with water and detergent
• If fixings are difficult to undo, try to cut the fixing off rather than break the asbestos
•  Use a wet disposable rag to clean up any dust residues
• Wrap all asbestos cement waste (including small pieces, rag and used overalls) in a double layer of strong polythene prior to transport and disposal. Seal the package using parcel tape
• Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before handling foodstuffs

Don't

• Sand down or wire brush the panels
• Deliberately break the panels
• Slide one sheet on top of another
• Use a domestic vacuum cleaner to clean up any asbestos debris
• ‘Dry sweep’ any small pieces of asbestos remaining on the ground after dismantling the garage. Use a hose and brush. (N.B. You will need to dispose of the brush with the asbestos) in combination to move any pieces into one place prior to using a shovel to pick up the asbestos.

Where to dispose of bonded asbestos

The council operates a free disposal site for the disposal of asbestos at Hazel Court. In order to arrange a time for disposal please contact the disposal site on (01904) 438459.

Please remember we will not accept asbestos unless it has been properly double wrapped in plastic. This facility is only for householders.

Any business that tries to use these facilities will be turned away from the site and will also be committing a criminal offence. Separate advice on the disposal of asbestos by commercial operators can be obtained from the Environment Agency.

Transporting asbestos

Should you decide to transfer your asbestos to the disposal site yourselves we recommend that you transport asbestos either on a roof rack or in a trailer or on the back of a pick up type vehicle. Asbestos should not be carried in an enclosed vehicle unless there is a separate cab and cargo bay.

If you do not have your own transport and you wish to use a skip company instead then you must ensure that the company you wish to use is willing to take the asbestos waste. The skip company will also need to provide you with a valid consignment note and be a registered carrier of waste. Further information on these subjects is available from the Environment Agency .

Please ensure you take note of all these precautions in order to safeguard yourself and others health. Remember fly tipping costs everyone money in clean up bills and damage to local amenities for local people. If you see fly tipping occurring phone the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 807060. Calls are free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week