RR1218: The effectiveness of witnessed four-stage clearances following licensed asbestos removal
The importation and use of asbestos in Great Britain (GB) was banned by 1999. However, asbestos can be present in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000 and continues to be removed as part of ongoing risk management. Only HSE licensed asbestos removal contractors (LARCs) can undertake higher-risk removal work. Confirmation that the area can be reoccupied is undertaken by accredited 4-Stage Clearance (4SC) organisations. This research aimed to assess whether standards had improved and whether there was compliance with HSE guidance (HSG248, 2005 version) during 4SC. HSE researchers observed work practices of 4SC analysts at eight licensed asbestos removal sites and collected air monitoring samples, between 2016 – 2019. As the findings below represent work under HSE observation they may not be representative of unobserved practice:
- certificates for reoccupation (CfR), were issued at all sites but were not always clear, unambiguous and accurate
- industry integration of HSE recommendations from previous work (HSE 2018) was observed at five sites
- an improvement in the application of the 4SC process was observed compared to previous studies (more failures were correctly identified)
- reassurance air monitoring carried out by HSE scientists after stage 3 had elevated fibre concentrations. This is optional in guidance and was not conducted by any 4SC analysts
- HSE guidance (HSG248) was not always followed:
- when selecting and using Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
- when LARCs were required to undertake additional cleaning (analysts remained in the enclosure)
- when undertaking dust disturbance activities
These findings will help to inform HSE’s intervention approach.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive. Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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