Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fibre that was used for many years due to its strength and resistance to heat and oil.

It’s classed as 'special waste' which means that it has to be dealt with differently. It’s not counted as household waste.

Asbestos can be found in many forms and the main types tend to be either soft or hard asbestos.  Soft asbestos is a fibrous insulating material and may still be found in older properties as pipe lagging, insulating board, ceiling tiles, internal walls and panels.  

Hard asbestos is much more common.  This hard solid sheet material was used extensively for shed roofs and garages, other asbestos cement products, ironing board mats and to provide insulation around fires or others heat sources.

Asbestos can be hazardous to health if handled incorrectly.  For advice on the correct handling of asbestos, please contact the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 or the Environmental Health Services Division.

As it's classes as special waste, it must only be handled by sites and carriers that have the appropriate licences.  It's important to avoid all release of asbestof dust to the air when handling this type of waste to minimise the risk to anyone who may come into contact with it.  Hard asbestos that comes from domestic properties can be removed by Environmental Health Services at a cost.  Employers should ensure that they are aware of the health and safety legislation relating to asbestos.