Asbestos cement roofs: why they change the job, and what HSE requires

Fragile first, asbestos second

HSE states that falls through fragile surfaces, particularly fibre-cement roofs and rooflights, account for 22% of all fall from height fatal injuries in the construction industry, and that those carrying out small, short-term maintenance and cleaning jobs are over-represented in the injury statistics (HSE). The same page states that all roofs, once fixed, should be treated as fragile until a competent person has confirmed that they are non-fragile, and names as likely fragile: non-reinforced fibre-cement sheets irrespective of profile type, rooflights, liner panels on built-up sheeted roofs, corroded metal sheets, glass including wired glass, rotted chipboard, and materials such as wood wool slabs, slates and tiles.

What HSE says the precautions are

• Effective precautions are required for all work on or near fragile surfaces, HSE states, no matter how short the duration, and whether the work is construction, maintenance, repair, cleaning or demolition.
• Avoidance first. HSE's hierarchy starts with planning and organising work to keep people away from fragile surfaces so far as possible, for example by working from below on a mobile elevating work platform or other suitable platform.
• Then control. Work on or near fragile surfaces requires a combination of stagings, guard rails, fall restraint, fall arrest and safety nets slung beneath and close to the roof.
• Then communication. HSE states warning notices must be fixed on the approach to any fragile surface, and that those carrying out the work must be trained, competent and instructed in the use of the precautions required.
• And co-operation. On business premises, contractors should work closely with the client and agree arrangements for managing the work. That client is you.

The duty that sits on the building owner

HSE's duty to manage asbestos guidance states that the duty covers all non-domestic premises, such as factories or shops, and the common parts of multi-occupancy domestic premises. The dutyholder could be the building owner, the landlord, or the person or organisation with clear responsibility for the building's maintenance or repair, and must assess whether asbestos containing materials are present, presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not, keep an up to date record of their location and condition, assess the risk of exposure, write and act on a management plan, review it every 12 months or sooner if necessary, and provide information on location and condition to anyone who may work on or disturb them, including the emergency services (HSE).

What this does to a roofing quote

1. Survey before pricing. A quote for an asbestos roof written without a survey is a quote for an unknown quantity. HSE's presumption rule cuts the argument short: presume asbestos unless there is strong evidence otherwise.
2. Removal is its own trade. Expect a separate contractor or a separate accredited division, its own method statement, its own notifications, waste consignment and clearance, on its own programme.
3. Then the roofing job starts. Only once the roof is clear does the price behave like an ordinary re-sheet.
4. Or manage it in place. Overcladding leaves the material where it is, which keeps the duty to manage live. Sometimes correct, never free. See overclad versus strip and replace.

This page names duties from HSE guidance so you know what to expect in a quote. It is not a method statement and it is not safety advice for carrying out the work. Use a contractor competent in asbestos work and follow HSE guidance in full.