Extractor fan vent in asbestos soffit

[Guitarist]

Can someone "sum up" the requirements regarding hole-cutting a 100mm vent for an extractor fan in a soffit board which probably contains asbestos please.
If the customer is happy not to have the waste removed from their premises, then would any rules be broken by simply cutting the hole (provided precautions are met to avoid breathing any dust) ?
Value your opinions.

 

[Rauer]

Yes because you are disturbing it and spreading it into the environment (sort of!) you would require asbestos skilled workers

 

[ruston]

Easier to put a tile or slate vent in and leave the asbestos well alone.

 

[Rauer]

It's not worth the h&s brigade on your back

 

[Strima]

It's not worth the h&s brigade on your back

Least of your worries, that stuff gets everywhere and even if you wear a mask it's still on your clothing and can be breathed in, not worth it at all.

I'm not one of these H&S asbestos Nazis and I've dealt with quite a bit in the past, why take the risk unless you have to?

 

[D Skelton]

As above, you'll be wearing a mask but when you get home and give your littleuns a hug, they haven't got a mask. Again, I'm no H&S ---- either but I leave asbestos well alone!

 

[snowhead]

What are you basing your probability on?
Age of property, pre yr 2000, or it just looks like it might be?

 

[Guitarist]

What are you basing your probability on?
Age of property, pre yr 2000, or it just looks like it might be?

1960's bungalow. I know that it is fairly low risk in these boards, and I agree with everything everyone has said. Just wondered what the actual rules are.

 

[D Skelton]

Take a small sample, bag it up and take it to an asbestos lab. they'll charge you £20 to tell you whether it is or isn't. if it is, you can't touch it, thems the rules

 

[snowhead]

High probablility then.

Basic H & S rules apply, you can't knowingly endanger yourself or others.

Working with A/Cement is non licenced;

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a9.pdf

 

[Richard Burns]

Anything more than very minor work (normally just drilling a small hole) must be notified to someone (prob building control) very minor work must be dust controlled (spray shaving foam over the drilling are, bag all shaving foam and dispose of as asbestos waste (£££)

Larger work such as you are describing should be notified and I think planned under a written procedure but may not need too many controls.
Major work requires skilled workers and lots of money!

HSE website has a lot of info about what is required, the rules changed in April this year and I haven't taken them all in because I am only prepared to drill small holes, anything else, won't touch it.


EDIT (Very slow typist!)

 

[Jimmy Boy]

High probablility then.

Basic H & S rules apply, you can't knowingly endanger yourself or others.

Working with A/Cement is non licenced;

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a9.pdf

I would be extremely gratefull if you can provide me with the link to all those downloads.IMHO ADMIN..this download should be a sticky topic due to the amount of sparks that have died of Mesothelioma .Thanks Snowhead
J

 

[snowhead]

I would be extremely gratefull if you can provide me with the link to all those downloads.IMHO ADMIN..this download should be a sticky topic due to the amount of sparks that have died of Mesothelioma .Thanks Snowhead
J

T.Y.G.

HSE - Asbestos: Asbestos essentials

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Snowhead Thankyou..
I lost a dear Uncle because of this and a friend has just been diagnosed he used to fit Asbestos containing floor tiles, ( the friend ) 35 years ago...
J

 

[D E P Northeast]

I would be extremely gratefull if you can provide me with the link to all those downloads.IMHO ADMIN..this download should be a sticky topic due to the amount of sparks that have died of Mesothelioma .Thanks Snowhead
J

my friends wife has this shes 39 and has a year to live shes worked in an office scince she left school

i have all sorts for asbestos and even i wouldn't drill or anything into it