Asbestos Removal RAMS — Risk Assessments for Licensed & Notifiable Asbestos Works
Generate comprehensive RAMS documents for asbestos removal, encapsulation, and management. Covers licensed and non-licensed work, enclosure construction, decontamination, air monitoring, and waste disposal — aligned with CAR 2012, ACOP L143, and HSE guidance.
What an Asbestos Removal RAMS Covers
- Asbestos survey review – interpreting Type 2 (management) and Type 3 (refurbishment/demolition) survey findings
- Licensed removal works – full enclosure construction, negative pressure unit (NPU) setup, controlled removal
- Non-licensed and notifiable work – removal of lower-risk ACMs including textured coatings and floor tiles
- Decontamination units – three-stage airlock setup, shower facilities, personnel decontamination
- Air monitoring – background, reassurance, and clearance testing to HSE MDHS 39/4
- Waste management – double bagging, labelling, consignment notes, and licensed disposal
- Four-stage clearance – visual inspection, background check, reassurance monitoring, and reoccupation certificate
Asbestos Regulatory Framework — CAR 2012 & ACOP L143
Asbestos removal is one of the most heavily regulated activities in UK construction. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) set out duties to prevent asbestos fibre exposure. ACOP L143 provides the approved code of practice.
- Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) – duties to prevent asbestos exposure
- ACOP L143 – Managing and working with asbestos
- HSE MDHS 39/4 – air monitoring for asbestos in workplace atmospheres
- HSE MDHS 100 – surveying, sampling, and assessment of ACMs
- Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 – asbestos waste disposal
- CDM 2015 – management of health and safety during refurbishment and demolition
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between licensed and non-licensed asbestos work?
- Licensed work includes removal of asbestos insulation, coating, and insulating board — requiring an HSE licence and 14-day advance notification. Non-licensed work covers lower-risk materials such as asbestos cement and textured coatings.
- What does ACOP L143 require?
- A suitable and sufficient risk assessment identifying the type, condition, and extent of ACMs, evaluating exposure levels, specifying controls, detailing PPE/RPE requirements, and setting out emergency arrangements.
- What air monitoring is required?
- Background monitoring (before work), leak testing (around enclosure), reassurance monitoring (adjacent occupied areas), and clearance monitoring (confirming fibre levels below 0.01 fibres/ml) by a UKAS-accredited laboratory using MDHS 39/4.