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We specialise in professional asbestos removal services for residential and commercial properties across London and South East.
Warehouse asbestos removal is a complex, highly regulated process aimed at safely eliminating asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) commonly present in large industrial buildings constructed before the late 1990s. Warehouses often contain asbestos in roof panels, insulation, pipe lagging, floor tiles, and wall linings. The procedures, safety standards, and legal responsibilities involved are critical to safeguarding workers and ensuring compliance with UK law.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) places strict duties on warehouse owners, managers, and employers to identify, manage, and—where necessary—arrange for the safe removal of asbestos. Only licensed contractors may handle high-risk asbestos removals, and all work must adhere to HSE-approved safety standards.
Asbestos Surveys: Before any work in a warehouse, a professional asbestos survey must be conducted to identify the location, type, and condition of ACMs. This is a legal prerequisite for demolition, refurbishment, or maintenance work.
Management Plan: Duty holders must maintain a written asbestos management plan detailing identified risks and procedures for ongoing monitoring and control of ACMs within the warehouse.
Notification: Any licensed asbestos removal work must be notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at least 14 days in advance, with detailed method statements and risk assessments.
Record-Keeping: All documentation, including survey reports, air monitoring, risk assessments, and disposal records, must be retained for at least 40 years.
Site Assessment and Enclosure: Contractors assess the warehouse to plan the safest removal route. The affected zone is sealed with polythene barriers and negative pressure units to prevent fibre escape.
Personnel Safety: All workers are required to use full PPE (respirators, disposable suits, gloves) and follow rigorous decontamination processes. Independent, UKAS-accredited laboratories often monitor air quality throughout the project.
Controlled Removal:
Hand tools and wet working methods minimize dust and fibre release.
High-risk areas, such as sprayed coatings or lagging, require advanced enclosures and air extraction systems.
All ACMs are carefully detached, double-bagged, and sealed for transport.
Decontamination and Air Monitoring: After removal, a thorough clean-up is performed using HEPA-filtered vacuums. Air tests confirm the area’s safety before the space is reoccupied.
Waste Disposal: All asbestos waste is labelled and taken to a licensed disposal facility, accompanied by the relevant consignment notes to ensure full legal traceability.
Warehouse owners and managers bear the legal duty to:
Commission regular surveys and maintain up-to-date asbestos registers.
Select Health and Safety Executive (HSE)-licensed contractors for all high-risk asbestos work.
Ensure compliance with notification, clearance, and waste documentation requirements.
Non-compliance can result in heavy penalties, legal action, and risks to health.
Attempting unauthorized or DIY asbestos removal in a warehouse setting is highly dangerous and illegal for most ACMs. Only trained, licensed professionals possess the expertise, equipment, and legal authority to mitigate health risks and fulfill the comprehensive regulatory obligations involved in warehouse asbestos removal.
Warehouse asbestos removal is an involved, legally regulated process that demands expert planning, thorough risk assessments, sealed environments, and certified waste disposal. Strict adherence to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 protects staff, contractors, and future occupants from the life-threatening health effects of asbestos exposure while ensuring full legal compliance.