I would put money on the fact that you would not want a fine. Let’s help you keep it that way!
By law you are required to make sure the asbestos removed from your property goes to a licensed disposal site – transported by a licensed waste carrier.
If you are found to have not followed the government guidance , you a liable for a fine.
So , how can you avoid asbestos rogue traders?
1. Make sure they have a Waste Carriers License
The most basic of things which is so simple to do. Anyone who transport any kind of waste should have a waste carriers license.
You can check anyone’s carriers license number on the Environment Agency Website:
Keep a copy for your records to show you carried out your Duty of Care.
2. Make sure they have the correct insurance
If the company are carrying out asbestos removal , they should have public liability insurance to cover them working on your property. Let’s say they end up removing your asbestos in a dangerous way and release asbestos fibres into the air. If they are not insured , who will you go to?
Furthermore , if they are carrying asbestos in their vehicle they will need to be correctly insured by the motor company.
Ask for a copy of their insurance and Keep a copy for your records to show you carried out your Duty of Care.
3. Make sure you know the place where the asbestos is being taken to
The asbestos disposal site should have an Environmental Permit which will be displayed on the Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (Certificate). You can check this before the asbestos removal even takes place. Just ask the company for the details and check it on the Environment Agency Website.
Keep a copy for your records to show you carried out your Duty of Care.
When the completed ‘certificate’ comes back to you , make sure this has been signed and stamped by the same disposal site.
MAKE SURE YOU GET A COPY OF THE HAZARDOUS WASTE CONSIGNMENT NOTE BEFORE THE COMPANY LEAVE YOUR PROPERTY. NO IF’s , NO BUT’s – IT’S THE LAW!
4. Make sure the removal operatives are UKATA Trained.
They will either need to be trained to carry out Licensed asbestos removal or Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal. Asbestos Awareness does not cover someone to remove asbestos.
Ask to see the certificates and check these on the UKATA website.
5. What to avoid
There are some tell tale signs of companies who are not being legitimate with your asbestos removal and disposal.
Although many companies are perfectly legal , if they show any of these signs then we would advise to steer clear:
• They only accept cash and will not provide a receipt
• They are offering you a price for removal with a ‘certificate’ provided and one without. It’s the LAW to provide one , if you do not have one you cannot prove where your asbestos has gone to
• They will not provide their Waste Carriers License Number , Disposal Site Details , Training Certificates or Insurance
• They remove the asbestos but you are left dealing with the disposal OR they get another company to take it away for them. Anyone who is doing this can still be legal but it’s likely they do not have a waste carriers license , are not trained or they do not hold the correct insurance.
Any reputable company will give you all the details you need to prove they are legal. Which is why you should always use a company who is willing. You will liable for your asbestos being disposed of incorrectly or removed unsafely if you have not carried out checks beforehand.