Find out more about how asbestos is removed safely in the UK? We look at who is at risk of asbestos and who can safely remove it.
Who is at risk of asbestos exposure?
The UK prohibited the supply and use of the remaining asbestos types in 1999. Buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000 can still contain asbestos.
Within the construction industry, asbestos was widespread and can be found in many buildings still standing today.
Because there are so many buildings that still contain asbestos, people who work in construction and demolition industries are at a high risk of being exposed to some level of asbestos during their job careers. This means that they are also at a higher risk of developing asbestos diseases, including pleural thickening, asbestosis or even mesothelioma. These diseases can take a long time to affect you but can do serious harm or even death if left untreated for too long.
Some examples of jobs that may mean you come into contact with asbestos include joiners, plumbers, demolition workers, electricians, decorators and painters, dockworkers, engineers, welders and more. All these jobs have some risk of coming into contact with asbestos at some point.
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Another group of people at risk of developing these asbestos-related diseases include those who lived near asbestos producing factories. The giant fans spewed this dust produced from the factories onto the streets, which allowed asbestos fibres to move around and settle on many sites.
Those who lived during these times would state it seemed like Christmas every day because it "snowed" a lot. They also said they remember children picking up the "snow" and throwing at others.
Secondary exposure claims for mesothelioma began to come in during the 1970s and onwards. These cases included a loved one of the person who was originally infected. The person came home with their clothes from work still on and contacted their family or loved ones. This could be when they were shaking out the dust at home before getting changed or hugging the children while in their dusty overalls.
Who Can Remove Asbestos?
Materials that contain asbestos to any degree should only be removed if necessary and should not be removed by anyone who is not properly trained in this. Removal of asbestos should be done by one who has the proper asbestos awareness training, experience, skills and knowledge to do it quickly and safely.
Asbestos exposure can cause serious health risks, leading to permanent damage to your lungs or even death if not treated properly. If this material is left alone, it has little chance of posing problems to the building's occupants and visitors. Still, if this material is disturbed in any way, this can become a dangerous situation. Once the material is disturbed, the process of removing it becomes a hazardous endeavour.
Because of its dangerous nature, the law takes this situation very seriously and tells which are and are not allowed to handle this material. The inexperienced are naturally removed from this list. Still, those allowed to proceed with this process are few in numbers and are qualified and competent professionals in the business.
UK Rules Surrounding Asbestos Removal
As stated before, the UK is quite strict on those who can and cannot handle this material and the proper procedures that must be followed to remove this material safely.
There are many asbestos-containing materials that a fully licensed asbestos removal contractor should only remove. However, before making any removals, you must inform the Health and Safety Executive for more information.
Certain types of asbestos require the contractor to have an HSE asbestos removal license before taking any actions. These special materials include Lagging and sprayed coatings, asbestos insulation, loose-fill lagging insulation, small pieces of debris and loose dust, and AIB or Asbestos Insulating board. These materials must be removed by one who has a full license and has the proper process for removal. The HSE must have at least 14 days notice.
Some non-licensed work is notifiable non-licensed work and must be notified to the relevant enforcing authority. Other non-licensed work does not require notification.
Different tasks involving textured coatings or other materials can fall into different categories. Use HSE guidance and task-specific specialist advice.
Finally, there is a group called ACMs, which are classified as low-fibre releases. This means when the asbestos is disturbed, there is a low amount of fibre being released. The materials within this group can be removed without the Asbestos Removal License.
Certain short-duration maintenance tasks on asbestos insulating board may be non-licensed only when all the relevant conditions are met. A time limit alone is insufficient.
The Danger Of Amateur Asbestos Removal
Attempting removal without appropriate training and controls can expose occupants and workers. Obtain competent advice before disturbing suspect materials.
Disturbance can release fibres that are harmful when inhaled. Illness can take decades to develop, so an absence of immediate symptoms does not make exposure harmless.
Smoking and asbestos exposure together increase the risk of lung cancer. Preventing asbestos exposure remains necessary for smokers and non-smokers alike.
Not only will this action cause great harm to your health, later on, you can also face legal battles under the control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
In some instances, after work has been completed, the home will require a 4-Stage re-occupation Certificate to allow others to enter the home again. The survey is carried out will ensure the home is safe from harmful asbestos waste.
Decide Whether Removal Is Necessary First
Removal can disturb asbestos that was previously stable. Materials in good condition that are unlikely to be damaged may sometimes be managed in place. Where refurbishment will disturb them, or damage cannot be safely controlled, specialist advice may lead to repair, enclosure or removal.
Begin with reliable survey information and an assessment of the actual work. Do not select a contractor solely by price without agreeing which materials and locations the job covers. Source: HSE guidance on putting the management plan into action.
Licensed and Non-Licensed Work Require Different Checks
A competent assessment must establish the category of work. Higher-risk jobs generally require an HSE-licensed contractor. Some lower-risk work is non-licensed; some is notifiable non-licensed work with additional notification, medical and record-keeping duties. Non-licensed does not mean untrained or uncontrolled.
Ask the contractor to explain the classification and provide a task-specific plan. Asbestos awareness alone is insufficient for removal. The material, condition and proposed method matter, so a short duration does not automatically make a job non-licensed. Source: HSE non-licensed work guidance.
Agree Clearance and Handover Before Work Begins
For licensed removal requiring site clearance certification, agree independent analytical arrangements before the job starts. HSE's four-stage process includes checking completeness, a thorough visual inspection, clearance air monitoring where required, and a final assessment after the enclosure is dismantled.
Keep the clearance documentation and update the asbestos register to show what was removed and what remains. A certificate for one work area does not establish that the entire property is asbestos-free. Source: HSE approved code of practice, site clearance guidance.
Latest Figures Show Why Controls Still Matter
HSE's July 2026 statistics report 503 deaths in Great Britain in 2024 mentioning asbestosis, excluding deaths also mentioning mesothelioma. The figure is provisional and reflects past exposures. Source: HSE asbestos-related disease statistics, 2026.
Before arranging removal, establish which materials are present. Talk to Astec Consultants Ltd about a survey for the planned work.