”Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are hidden in all types of building materials produced prior to the year 1999” says Andy Wilshaw, bSure Testing consultant. He added ”The ACMs are commonly found in normal waste that should not be placed into skips, such as artex ceilings, wall coverings, floor tiles, vinyl flooring and roof tiles. These commonly-found waste types usually come from domestic properties”.
Effectively, the way the law is worded, these waste types must be presumed to contain asbestos by default. ” So, if I were a builder and I put my waste into a skip, by law, I must prove there are no asbestos contaminants,” Andy explained. ” We believe skip companies are on the industry’s frontline and are therefore liable. But with the correct advice they are able to educate people and the waste recycling industry. They can help us in our mission to develop the public’s understanding, and to recognise what people are, and are not allowed to put into a skip.
”Additionally, identifying ACM materials inside a skip or within waste sites is key to limiting the amount of people exposed to asbestos through building materials’ removal and disposal.”
bSure Testing are the market leaders in providing a quick, safe, independent, and accurate way to identify ACMs. This can lead to saving time, money and potential visits to court.
Utilising bSure’s services and kits means skip hire companies can identify which waste does and does not contain asbestos. By doing so, these firms can be compliant when disposing of building materials found in skips, which is also beneficial for waste site employees and customers, who are at risk to exposure of extremely hazardous ACMs that have not been identified.
Andy concluded ”We can offer a 24-hour sample analysis service along with self-sampling kits, which means if you suspect a material to contain asbestos it can be tested and identified.
As a result, the risk can be understood and disposed of in accordance with the current legislation, while limiting the chances of prosecution by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.
This article featured in January’s edition of Skip Hire Magazine. See it here
