Asbestos is more common in UK buildings than most people realise. Any property built before 2000 could contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) — particularly those built between the 1950s and 1980s when asbestos use was at its peak. If you've discovered what you believe to be asbestos during renovation or demolition work, here's what to do.
Stop Work Immediately
If you suspect you've found asbestos during building work, the first step is to stop work immediately in that area. Do not disturb, drill, cut, or break the material. If the material is in good condition and undamaged, it's actually safer to leave it in place until it can be properly assessed.
Get a Survey and Sample Analysis
You cannot tell by looking whether a material contains asbestos — it requires laboratory analysis. A licensed asbestos surveyor can take samples and have them tested. This will confirm whether ACMs are present and what type they are. There are two main categories: licensable work (requiring a licensed removal contractor) and non-licensable work (which can be carried out by a competent person with proper training and precautions).
Use a Licensed Removal Contractor
For most ACMs found during renovation or demolition, you will need a licensed asbestos removal contractor to extract the material safely. This is a legal requirement for high-risk asbestos types and is strongly recommended for all other ACMs. The contractor will seal the area, wear the correct PPE, remove the material safely, and package it correctly for disposal.
Correct Packaging Is Critical
Asbestos waste must be double-bagged in heavy-duty polythene, clearly labelled with asbestos warning labels, and placed in a sealed skip or container for transport. Each package must remain intact throughout transportation to prevent fibre release.
Our Asbestos Disposal Service
JM Waste Management provides asbestos disposal skips across East Sussex. We deliver the skip to your site, your licensed contractor loads it with the correctly packaged asbestos waste, and we collect and transport it directly to a licensed deep landfill disposal site that is specifically permitted to receive asbestos-containing materials. You receive a Hazardous Waste Transfer Note for every consignment — your legal proof that the waste was disposed of correctly.
The Documentation You Need
UK law requires that all asbestos waste movements are accompanied by a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note. This documents the type and quantity of waste, who collected it, and where it went. We provide this documentation as standard on every asbestos collection. Keep these records — they must be retained for at least three years.
If you're dealing with asbestos waste in East Sussex and need a disposal skip, call us on 01424 732643. We work alongside licensed removal contractors and can coordinate collection to fit your project programme.
