CDM & Asbestos

[RichA]

Our pre-demolition Asbestos survey found Asbestos in the soffits of the extension. My main contractor got 3 quotes from Asbestos specialists to enclosing, decontaminating, monitoring & removing (c£3k).

Main contractor believes he also needs an H&S Specialist to oversee:

“We legally hold the position as ‘principal contractor’ under CDM regulations. The responsibilities for this are rather onerous and we must fulfil our obligations. For example, we must ensure that the asbestos contractor follows the correct procedures and that we evaluate and manage the risks to ensure our staff on site are safe throughout the asbestos removal process. Our company policy is to employ our health and safety consultant to help us manage this process.”

Is this reasonable/required? (As it is extra cost)

Why is getting a licenced Specialist to remove (in accordance with prescribed standards) not sufficient?

The alternative suggested is:
Temporarily vacate and hand the site and the role of principle contractor to you for the duration of the asbestos removal process. Once the all clear is provided we can return to site. Is this possible/feasible. What paperwork is required to change PC?

 

[Notch7]

Sadly an example of mitigating risk of litigation.

Although you should, to some extent be pleased your contractor is taking the risk to his workers seriously.

I think the 2nd option is best. Take asbestos removal out of main contractors contract and instruct them yourself, then get certificate from asbestos specialist to confirm site decontaminated.

 

[pilsbury]

Asbestos in the soffits? I’m assuming some asbestos cement board type affair..... I’m sure my idea will be poo pooed, but I’d tell my builder to take a 2 day break, buy a paper suit and a P3 dust mask and carefully remove the cement board and bag it and take to the local disposal site. When the builder returns, tell him the asbestos fairy has been. Then hold onto the £3k for all the extras he’s going to charge you.

 

[RichA]

Thanks both.

 

[^woody^]

£3k is a rip off for some cement board soffit. No encapsulation, no decontamination no monitoring .... It's outside FFS remind them ... just how are they going to do all that?

And it is low level asbestos content not even requiring licenced contractors for removal.

I don't think they know as much about CDM add they like to portray.

Anyone suitably experienced can do the Principle Role - no need to go to specialists, but if they don't have that experience then they need to get it. But as a contractor I'd expect them to have the experience in house and part of their team and general costs - not extra cost.

 

[clifford1]

When the builder returns, tell him the asbestos fairy has been..

You could leave a pressure hose lying around and perhaps the fairy might spray the board with water first.

 

[RichA]

The quote was the lowest of 3(!) and includes scaffolding, encapsulation, decontamination and analysis. The survey just recommended removal?

· To remove asbestos insulation board soffits to extension under fully controlled conditions
· To supply independent analytical company to carry out all required air monitoring
· To supply all documentation on completion of works


Re: CDM. My building contractor is Principal, but wants a consultant to oversee H&S/Asbestos Removal being done by a 3rd party Asbestos specialist.

 

[wessex101]

The quote was the lowest of 3(!) and includes scaffolding, encapsulation, decontamination and analysis. The survey just recommended removal?

· To remove asbestos insulation board soffits to extension under fully controlled conditions
· To supply independent analytical company to carry out all required air monitoring
· To supply all documentation on completion of works


Re: CDM. My building contractor is Principal, but wants a consultant to oversee H&S/Asbestos Removal being done by a 3rd party Asbestos specialist.

WHOA THERE! Asbestos Insulation Board? That changes everything. That is a licensed job and needs the full space suit malarkey.

Very unusual to have insulation board on the soffits though. It is usually used internally where there is a fire protection issue such as a ceiling to an integral garage.

 

[Ian H]

From another thread where we had asbestos specialists in:

I had a stupid asbestos occurrence recently.

A soil stack was suspected asbestos so a firm was employed to remove it.

I turn up and it's still there, I phone up to ask and the firm wouldn't take it until they had tested it.

They told me to remove it, bag it up and leave it on site for collection.

I said why not just treat it as worst case and remove it without testing but no, they can't do that.

So I do my repair, remove it, bag it, tag it and leave it in someone's garden for them to collect if it tests as asbestos.

Seemed stupid.

 

[RichA]

This is the section of the report with photo.

 

[wessex101]

Just goes to show you can never assume anything. Good job you had it tested.

I once had a job in an old peoples home (building circa late 70's early 80's) where all the ground floor ceilings were plasterboard and all the first floor ceilings were asbestos insulating board. It made absolutely no sense as the ground floor ceilings were the primary fire separation layer. It must just have been that the builder acquired a cheap job lot of old stock, but only enough for one floor.