Asbestos FAQs
Pat Munro is licensed to accept Asbestos waste into its Waste Transfer Stations at both Alness and Inverness. There are strict rules, however, on how the Asbestos must be treated before it arrives for waste transfer. The Frequently Asked Questions below will assist our customers when planning for Asbestos Removal.
1. Is Asbestos dangerous and it is subject to legal controls?
Yes, Asbestos is subject to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 because it poses a high risk of serious damage to health. Detailed information and guidance can be found at the Government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website
2. How do i go about getting Asbestos work done?
Some work with Asbestos is unlicensed where the types of Asbestos are less dangerous, e.g. cement board containing Asbestos. However, it is important to get specialist advice first to correctly identify what types of Asbestos are present before doing any work with Asbestos. Specialist Contractors are able to arrange Asbestos surveys and determine the type of Asbestos and whether the work will require to be licensed, unlicensed and any official notifications required. The HSE maintains a list of Licensed Asbestos Operators here.
3. Once I've got Asbestos removal organised, how can i arrange uplift or delivery to a Waste Facility?
The best method is to arrange for a reputable Asbestos operator to carry out safe removal and disposal. The operator will then arrange for the Asbestos waste to be properly bagged or wrapped and labelled before it is transported to a Pat Munro Waste Facility. If a skip is required we can provide special skips for Asbestos to be placed in. We will require the Asbestos to be either double-bagged, or double wrapped in heavy gauge plastic and properly labelled, following the detailed guidance available from HSE here. Please contact us to discuss any specific details regarding quantities, skip types, SEPA notifications and timescales.
4. Im a householder, can i bring Asbestos waste to the facility myself?
We will accept the low grade forms of Asbestos (cement board) if it is properly bagged or wrapped according to the HSE Guidance note EM9 - available here. However, we strongly recommed that householders and members of the public take specialist advice before coming into contact with any forms of Asbestos. We will not be able to accept any Asbestos waste, or waste containing Asbestos if it is not bagged or wrapped in accordance with HSE guidance. Please phone us for advice beforehand to discuss the best options for disposal.
5. What happens to the Asbestos once it reaches Pat Munro?
We store the Asbestos in controlled secure conditions, under our Licence from SEPA, and then we transport this waste to landfill sites which are licensed and able to deal with Asbestos. We use trained drivers to transport Asbestos, and we need to make sure that no-one is exposed to the Asbestos during the transport and final disposal. This is why we need to ensure that all Asbestos we accept is bagged or wrapped before it arrives at our facility.
