24-Hour Emergency Asbestos Removal

Unexpected disturbance can release asbestos fibres if the material contains asbestos, so the first step is to stop further work, keep people away from the affected area and avoid sweeping, vacuuming or handling debris. Do not assume the material, fibre level or work category from appearance alone.

The next step depends on what material was disturbed, its condition, the extent of the incident and the work needed to make the area safe to assess. Suitable work may be non-licensed or NNLW; higher-risk work such as pipe lagging, sprayed coatings and most AIB removal requires an HSE-licensed contractor.

Where the duty to manage applies, dutyholders must keep suitable asbestos information and prevent foreseeable disturbance. This page provides an assessment route and does not promise a universal emergency attendance time or one standard response for every incident.

Asbestos-containing materials can release fibres when they are damaged or disturbed, but the amount released depends on the material, condition and task. An accidental hole in a lower-risk bonded product and major disturbance of thermal insulation do not have the same work category or response route.

Do not use a workplace control limit as a household re-entry or emergency decision threshold. If the material is uncertain, the assessment may require sampling or other competent evidence. If the task is licensable, an HSE-licensed contractor must handle that work. Air testing or analyst input is project-specific rather than a default response to every disturbance.

• Current availability confirmed when you contact us
• Telephone triage on the appropriate next step
• Attendance timing confirmed for the individual enquiry
• Assessment and non-licensed/NNLW work within the confirmed direct scope
• Specialist air-testing/analyst route where the job requires it
• Job-appropriate paperwork for the direct work and asbestos-waste movement
• External survey, analyst or HSE-licensed-contractor route identified where required

Call 07345 062075 after stopping the work and keeping people away from the affected area. We can discuss the next assessment route and current availability.

The material, extent of disturbance and task determine whether the next step is sampling, non-licensed/NNLW work, or an HSE-licensed contractor.

For work within our direct scope, controls come from the job-specific risk assessment and work plan. Licensable work is not undertaken directly.

Air testing or clearance is arranged only where applicable to the incident or work; a generic air test is not presented as proof that every disturbed area is safe.

Stop further disturbance, keep people away and arrange competent assessment of the material and incident before cleanup or repair continues.

Avoid handling loose or broken suspect material and arrange assessment of the material, condition and work route before removal or repair.

Stop work and use the HSE-licensed-contractor route where the material is pipe lagging, sprayed coating or other licensable asbestos insulation.

Keep people away from the debris and arrange competent assessment. Sampling, cleanup, air testing or licensed work may be needed depending on what was disturbed.

A common mistake after disturbance is sweeping, vacuuming or handling debris before the material and incident have been assessed. Keep people away and use the work/assessment route appropriate to the material, condition and task.

For disturbed or damaged suspect material, the first priority is to prevent further disturbance and establish what material and work category are involved. Pro Asbestos Removal can discuss non-licensed/NNLW work within its confirmed scope; licensable work must be handled by an HSE-licensed contractor.

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