Hi - is anyone able to clarify the laws regarding asbestos removal when it's artex / textured coatings?

I am under the impression that they are considered 'safe' enough for a licensed contractor not to be needed - is that right?

I work as a Site Inspector / Clerk of Works dannyboy and in checking 'conditions' in many buildings throughout the South Eastern areas, I always ask to see the relevant registers, particularly where I have doubts about the building's age in relation to ceiling coatings, soffites, bulkheads and boiler / Plant room installations and finishes, along with distribution systems.

Go here - http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/regulations.htm

If in any doubt at all, get the relevant skills on board, don't disturb anything and call in the 'experts'.

Regards

MVM

Thanks for that MVM.

I don't think the work we are looking at could be considered as 'short non-continuous' activities.

On that note about 'short non-continuous' activities, this is unbelievable...

Two firms fork out £115k after unlicensed asbestos removal

That a company would allows its workers to carry with the job for 10 weeks even when it new asbestos was present.

I wondered if a judgement like this would allow the workers to take out a civil action against their employer?

It doesn't get any worse than that account Fred - although I would suggest that, that example perhaps, is just the tip of the iceberg when considering how much alteration works are carried out by those somewhat 'uninformed' companies in order to save a shilling or two?

As noted to our friend Dannyboy, if in any doubt at all, get the experts involved, otherwise don't just assume that it's ok and, never expose your operatives to any risk situation.

Regards

MVM       

Hi Danny

 The HSE have decided that the removal of artex/ textured coatings is a task that can be carried out by Non Licensed contractors, however the HSE regulation do requier that textured coatings are removed in accordance with the regualtion by trained and competent operatives.

As CEO for the National Federation of Demolition Contractors i have pushed for all NDFC opertaives to be fully trained in the removal of bonded asbestos products.

i hope this is of assistance

Techno H

So reading between the lines (maybe a daft question) Does Artex have asbestos in it ????

Old Artex - ie. stuff more than 25 years old - does contain asbestos.

Anything dated since then does not, and should be safe.

Good morning all.

I have checked out the last posting and sorry I dont agree.

The use of white asbestos (the main type of asbestos used in artex) was not banned untill 1999 as such you can never say artex or any textured coating does not contain asbestos. The only real safe way of knowing is to have a sample tested.

Dont risk it.

Techno H 

The reason for my question is that a house I am in the process of buying was refurbed around the mid 90's and they used lovely artex throughout on the ceilings.

Needless to say that is high on the list of things to cover/remove. Some of the ceilings will be taken down anyway, some will just get a coat of plaster. So I guess I need to be careful when taking the ceilings down then ???

Agree with you there Techno H. There's still a bit of the stuff knocking around in my place. Think it was put there relatively recently but when I do eventually get round to getting the stuff removed I'll be having it sample tested. I don't think much artex had asbestos in it by the 90s, but as Techno H says it could do, so it's well worth getting it checked. Better safe than sorry.

Too right better to be safe than sorry.

I am glad I joined the forum already, if only for this thread. Thanks people.