What to expect on asbestos removal day
Knowing what happens on the day of removal — and how to prepare — removes the anxiety that many homeowners and property managers feel before the job begins. This guide covers the full day from crew arrival to site handover, and what to do before the crew arrives.
Before the crew arrives: your preparation checklist
Do not attempt to move or disturb any asbestos-containing materials before the crew arrives. If you are unsure whether something contains asbestos, leave it in place and let the crew assess it.
What happens on the day
The crew arrives, confirms access, and begins setting up the decontamination unit (DCU) and containment. Warning signs are placed. The work area is sealed with polythene sheeting.
The site supervisor carries out a pre-removal inspection to confirm the removal plan is correct and that the containment is adequate. Any last-minute access issues are resolved.
ACMs are removed using the method specified in the removal plan. All removed material is double-bagged and labelled. The work area is kept wet to suppress dust.
Operatives decontaminate at the DCU when leaving the work area. No asbestos-contaminated clothing or equipment leaves the work area without decontamination.
After removal, the work area is thoroughly cleaned using a HEPA-filtered vacuum and damp wiping. The containment is inspected before being removed.
All bagged asbestos waste is loaded into the skip or vehicle. The consignment note is completed. The site is left clean and secure.
The independent UKAS-accredited analyst carries out the 4-stage clearance. If all stages pass, the clearance certificate is issued. You can reoccupy the area once you have the certificate.
From our work
The neighbour who almost stopped the job
We arrived at a mid-terrace property in New Cross to remove an asbestos cement garage roof. The homeowner had prepared well — the garage was cleared, access was confirmed, and parking was arranged. What had not been anticipated was the neighbour.
The neighbouring garage shared a party wall, and the neighbour — who had not been informed about the work — became concerned when they saw the warning signs and the crew in PPE. They initially refused to allow access to the party wall side of the garage, which was needed to remove the final two sheets safely.
We paused the job, explained the process to the neighbour, showed them our documentation, and answered their questions. After about 20 minutes, they were satisfied and gave access. The job was completed on time.
The lesson: for any job involving a party wall, shared access, or adjacent properties, inform your neighbours in advance. It takes five minutes and avoids a situation that could delay or complicate the job. We now include this as a standard item in our pre-job briefing to clients.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to book?
We will confirm all preparation requirements when we book the job. No surprises on the day.