This guidance is intended to explain how to dismantle an asbestos garage with the minimum of risk to you and your family.

Asbestos cement sheeting - the risks

Asbestos cement sheeting is commonly found as grey corrugated or flat sheets. It is thin and brittle and produces a clean edge when broken. It contains a small amount of asbestos encapsulated within cement, which, in good condition, does not normally present a health risk.

Asbestos fibres are released when cement sheeting is broken or drilled, sawn, scrubbed or sanded. The fibres can then become airborne where they can easily be inhaled and cause lung damage. Asbestos fibres are known to cause a cancer.

Please remember that any work on asbestos cement garages may generate airborne asbestos fibres. The following precautions are given in good faith but all operations with asbestos are undertaken at the individual's own risk.

Getting help

If you do not feel confident removing the asbestos yourself we recommend you contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor for advice. A list of suitably qualified asbestos removal contractors can be obtained from either of the following trade associations:

Asbestos Removal Contractors Association

Asbestos Control and Abatement Division

More information on working with asbestos is available on the Health and Safety Executive website or from the GMW's Health and Safety Advisers, tel:(01204 654611).

Other types of asbestos

Be aware that other types of asbestos may be present in your home. These may include insulation board, asbestolux plasterboard, and insulation surrounding warm air heating systems. The general rule is to always leave asbestos alone, it's usually safe unless it's damaged or disturbed. However, if you are concerned that asbestos may be present, we strongly recommend that you contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor for advice and a suitably qualified asbestos removal contractor from either of the trade associations (ACAD or ARCA) shown above to remove it.

Carrying out the work yourself - before you start

1. Read these instructions carefully and plan the job.

2. Ensure you have the following items to hand:

• Strong polythene and parcel tape
• White disposable overalls with a hood to wear during the operation
• Disposable dust mask suitable for work with asbestos(Certified to EN149 or EN405 Protection Factor FFP3)
• A hose and a supply of water
• Spanner for undoing bolts

Dismantling the garage

Do

• Prevent anyone who may be affected by the work, from entering the immediate work area
• Wear a suitable disposable dust mask to prevent inhalation of asbestos fibres
• Wear disposable overalls. These should be taken off before re-entering the house. These overalls will prevent asbestos fibres clinging to your clothes where they could cause contamination
• Carry out all dismantling operations on firm level ground that can be hosed down afterwards
• Wet all sheeting prior to and during any dismantling operations. This will help prevent asbestos fibres becoming airborne
• Where panels are to be removed, thoroughly wet the area around the fixings with water and detergent
• If fixings are difficult to undo, try to cut the fixing off (using a hacksaw but taking care not to create dust) rather than break the asbestos
• Use wet disposable rags to clean up dust residues
• Wrap all asbestos cement waste (including small pieces, rags and your used overalls/dust mask) in a double layer of strong polythene prior to transport and disposal. Seal the package using parcel tap
• Your disposable dust mask must always be the last item of protective equipment you remove
• Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before handling foodstuffs

Don't

• Sand down or wire brush the panels
• Deliberately break the panels
• Slide one sheet on top of another
• Use a domestic vacuum cleaner to clean up any asbestos debris
• 'Dry sweep' any small pieces of asbestos remaining on the ground after dismantling the garage. Instead use a hose and brush together to move any pieces into one place before using a shovel to pick the asbestos up. You must dispose of the brush with the asbestos.

Where to dispose of bonded asbestos

GMW has several sites licensed to accept bonded asbestos waste. For information on your nearest site and opening times, please telephone our head office on 01204 654611. We provide this service for householders free of charge.

Please note though, that we are reluctant to accept asbestos waste unless it has been securely wrapped in polythene.

These facilities are for householders only. Any business trying to use these facilities will be turned away from the site as they would be committing a criminal offence.

Advice on disposing of asbestos by commercial operators is available on the Environment Agency website.

Transporting asbestos

If you decide to take your asbestos waste to the disposal site yourself, after wrapping it in polythene sheeting using the precautions specified earlier, we recommend you transport the asbestos either on a roof rack, in a trailer or on the back of a pick up type vehicle. Asbestos should not be carried in an enclosed vehicle unless there is a separate cab and cargo bay.

Please take note of all these precautions to safeguard yourself and others' health. Remember fly tipping costs everyone money in clean up bills and damage to local amenities for local people.

If you see fly tipping occurring phone the Environment Agency hotline on (0800) 807060. Calls are free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.