However, without the right training, protective equipment, and legal authorisation, untrained contractors put everyone around them at risk. Legal Responsibilities for Asbestos Removal In the UK, asbestos removal is strictly regulated under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. These regulations require that anyone handling asbestos must be trained and follow strict safety protocols. If an untrained contractor removes asbestos incorrectly, they could: ❌ Release asbestos fibers into the air, contaminating the property. ❌ Spread asbestos dust to nearby areas, including homes, businesses, and public spaces. ❌ Illegally dispose of asbestos waste, leading to severe fines or prosecution. Employers and property owners have a legal duty to ensure that asbestos is managed safely and only handled by trained professionals. How to Prevent Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure If you suspect asbestos is present in your home or workplace, follow these steps to stay safe: ✅ Do Not Disturb Suspected Asbestos Materials – Avoid drilling, cutting, or removing materials that may contain asbestos. ✅ Get an Asbestos Survey – A professional survey will confirm whether asbestos is present and whether it needs to be removed. ✅ Only Use Licensed Asbestos Contractors – Certified professionals follow strict guidelines to remove and dispose of asbestos safely. ✅ Ensure Proper Decontamination – Professionals use specialist cleaning and disposal methods to prevent fibers from spreading. Stay Safe – Always Use Professionals Second-hand asbestos exposure is a hidden danger that can put workers, families, and the public at risk. If asbestos needs to be removed, always choose trained and licensed professionals who can handle the job safely and legally. If you suspect asbestos in your home or workplace, contact us today for expert advice, surveys, and safe removal services.

Second-hand asbestos exposure—also known as secondary exposure—occurs when asbestos fibers are carried on clothing, tools, or equipment, putting others at risk. This is a serious concern when untrained contractors attempt to remove asbestos in non-domestic properties or homes without proper precautions. What Is Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure? Second-hand asbestos exposure happens when someone who has been in contact with asbestos unknowingly spreads the fibers to others. This can occur when asbestos dust settles on clothing, hair, and personal belongings, which are then taken home or to another location. Family members, colleagues, and even customers can then be exposed to harmful fibers without realising it. How Does Second-Hand Exposure Occur? When untrained individuals remove asbestos without the correct safety measures, fibers can be released into the air and settle on: ✅ Work clothes and uniforms ✅ Boots and shoes ✅ Tools and equipment ✅ Vehicles used to transport waste ✅ Furniture, carpets, and surfaces If these fibers become airborne again, they can be inhaled by others, leading to serious long-term health risks. Health Risks of Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure Even brief exposure to asbestos fibers can be dangerous. Inhaling these fibers can lead to severe health conditions, including: • Mesothelioma – A rare but aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. • Asbestosis – A chronic lung disease that causes scarring of lung tissue, leading to breathing difficulties. • Lung Cancer – Long-term exposure to asbestos can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. Unlike primary asbestos exposure, which typically affects workers in construction, demolition, or industrial settings, second-hand exposure often affects family members and co-workers who were never directly involved with asbestos-containing materials.

Artex was a popular textured coating used for decorative finishes, but before its ban, many formulations contained asbestos fibers to add strength. If you’re planning renovations or DIY, it’s crucial to know what asbestos Artex looks like and why you should never disturb it without professional advice. What Is Artex? Artex is a decorative textured coating commonly applied to ceilings and sometimes walls. It was popular from the 1960s to the 1990s and is found in many older UK homes. While modern Artex is asbestos-free, older applications may contain chrysotile asbestos (white asbestos), which can be hazardous if disturbed.

Where Can Asbestos Be Found in Non-Domestic Buildings? If your building was constructed before 2000, asbestos may be present in areas such as: • Ceiling tiles and textured coatings (e.g., Artex) • Wall panels and insulation board • Pipe lagging and boiler insulation • Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives • Roofing sheets, gutters, and downpipes • Fire doors and protective panels What to Do If You Find Asbestos at Work If you come across damaged or suspect asbestos while at work, follow these steps immediately: ❌ Do Not Touch It – Disturbing asbestos can release hazardous fibers into the air. 📢 Report It – Notify your manager, health & safety officer, or building owner immediately. 🛑 Stop Work in the Area – If asbestos is suspected, work must stop until a professional assessment is carried out. 🔬 Arrange for Testing & Risk Assessment – A licensed asbestos surveyor can determine if the material is asbestos and whether it needs to be removed. 👷 Only Use Licensed Professionals for Removal – If asbestos must be removed, it must be done by a licensed asbestos removal contractor following strict safety protocols. Why Safe Asbestos Management Matters Properly managing asbestos protects workers, customers, and visitors from serious health risks, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. It also ensures compliance with UK law, reducing the risk of legal penalties and financial liability. If you need asbestos surveys, testing, or removal in a non-domestic property, our team can help. Contact us today for professional asbestos management services!

If you own a property in Matlock, Derbyshire, or are planning to buy or renovate one, asbestos testing and surveys are essential to ensure safety and compliance. Asbestos was commonly used in buildings before 2000, and disturbing it can pose serious health risks. At Matlock Asbestos Surveys, we offer professional asbestos surveys and testing to homeowners, landlords, businesses, and property managers in Matlock and the surrounding areas of Derbyshire. With over 20 years of experience, we provide reliable, HSE-compliant services to help you identify and manage asbestos safely. What Asbestos Services Do We Offer in Matlock, Derbyshire? We provide a full range of asbestos survey and testing services, including: Asbestos Management Surveys – Ideal for landlords and property owners to maintain compliance. Asbestos Homebuyer Surveys – Ensure your new home is safe before purchasing. Asbestos Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys – Required before any construction work begins. Asbestos Re-Inspection Surveys – Monitor the condition of previously identified asbestos. Asbestos Testing – Sample analysis to confirm the presence of asbestos in your property. Why Choose Us for Asbestos Surveys & Testing in Matlock? ✅ 20+ Years of Industry Experience – Trusted asbestos specialists. ✅ Fully HSE-Compliant Reports – Detailed reports for safety and compliance. ✅ Fast & Reliable Service – Quick turnaround times and expert advice. ✅ Competitive Pricing – Affordable asbestos surveys with no hidden fees. Do You Need an Asbestos Survey in Matlock? If your property was built before 2000, it may contain asbestos. An asbestos survey is crucial for safety, legal compliance, and protecting property value. Whether you’re buying a home, managing a business property, or planning renovations, we provide trusted asbestos testing and surveys in Matlock and beyond. Get a Free Quote for Asbestos Testing & Surveys in Matlock Protect your property and health with our expert asbestos survey and testing services. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and ensure your property is asbestos-safe and compliant. 📞 Call us today or 📩 Request a quote online!

a once-popular building material that can pose serious health risks if disturbed. Asbestos was widely used in UK homes before 2000, so if your property was built before then, there’s a chance it contains asbestos in certain areas. This guide will help you identify where asbestos might be found and how to handle it safely. Why Is Asbestos a Concern? Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are not usually dangerous unless they are damaged or disturbed. When asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer—which is why knowing where to find asbestos in your home is so important before starting any renovation work.

What grade of asbestos has the most risks? Asbestos is a carcinogenic , meaning it can cause cancer. Regardless of the GRADE it is still hazardous and poses a risk. Can I sell a house with an asbestos garage? YES! There is no law against selling a house which contains an asbestos garage. If you know it is asbestos , you must declare this to the property agents/potential buyers. Can I put asbestos in a general waste skip? No , you cannot mix hazardous waste such as asbestos with non-hazardous waste. Therefore you will need to dispose of the asbestos separately and legally! Where do we take asbestos when it is removed from your property in Matlock? All asbestos removed from your property and any associated wastes (eg concrete from a garage) , goes to a fully licensed asbestos waste disposal site. You will get proof of this when you use us , so you’re fully covered! Is asbestos still used in the UK now? No! Asbestos was banned for use an import in the UK in 1999. It is important that if your property was built before the year 1999 , you get it checked for asbestos before any renovations or maintenance works. How long does asbestos take to affect you? Asbestos related illness takes between 20-50 years to develop. This is why it is named by many as the ‘silent killer’. Can asbestos be left where it is? Yes , providing it is in good condition and is unlikely to be disturbed. Asbestos becomes dangerous when the fibres are disturbed via damage or disturbance. Therefore , if you notice any changes to asbestos in your property it is best to get it checked.

We are all aware that asbestos is a "hidden killer" , therefore should only be removed and handled by fully trained people. Asbestos is at it's most dangerous when broken or damaged , so knowing the correct controls and procedures to limit dust release is imperative. KEY POINTS : A contractor cannot remove asbestos without the correct training and insurance No contractor can take asbestos from your property without a Waste Carriers Licence and they must issue you with a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (Certificate) Aside from the legalities , no one wants an untrained person taking down asbestos at their property or their neighbours. HOW TO CHECK THE CONTRACTOR Ask for a copy of their training and insurance Check they have a Waste Carriers Licence *Both of these things MUST be in place is removing asbestos from your property EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL : Example 1 : Asbestos Garage Roof Removal We had a customer call us to say their roofer had removed their asbestos garage roof sheets before installing the new roof. The roofer smashed off the roof sheets , leaving small pieces of asbestos littered all over the customers garden. The roofer has Asbestos Awareness Training - which does not cover them for the safe removal of asbestos. This showed by the method they used to take the roof off - Asbestos roof sheets should not be broken up unless it is in strictly controlled conditions. Our trained staff arrived on site and performed a clean up of the area as well as ensuring all asbestos was safely disposed of. Example 2 : Asbestos Down Pipe Removal A worried lady called us to tell us their neighbour had workmen in who were using a diesel powered saw to cut off an asbestos downpipe which was fixed between the two properties. The saw had created vast amounts of dust as well as leaving a large "flare" on the ladies soffit board. After asking for the details of the builder and whether he was trained to carry out the work , the lady was ignored and the builder soon left. We were called in to take a sample from the dust on the soffit board as well as the pipe (which was now left discarded , unwrapped on the garden). Both tests confirmed asbestos presence. HOW TO REPORT ILLEGAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL IN DERBYSHIRE If you suspect illegal asbestos removal is being carried out at your property or your neighbours then the follow the below steps: 1) Ask the contractor for their details , training and insurance. Any reputable company will be more than happy to provide these to you. This should clear up the matter , but if you feel that they are not acting responsibly then follow steps 2-3 2) Contact the local Derbyshire Council Environmental Department : https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/environment/environment.aspx 3) Contact the Health and Safety Executive https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm 4) If the query is waste disposal related and you think asbestos waste has been disposed of where is shouldn't have been then contact the Environment Agency 24 hour Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 For safe , professional asbestos removal - Contact Local Asbestos Matlock 01629 690 115

A list of common mistakes made when getting quotes for asbestos removal and how to avoid them