If Asbestos has been identified in your property, this is not necessarily as major an issue as you may initially think. Not all Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) are created equal, and the risk rating of an ACM depends on several factors.
Common Asbestos materials identified in the Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates) and their risk rating, are listed below:
Asbestos insulation – High risk;
Asbestos ceiling / Asbestos wall board – Medium risk;
Asbestos gaskets – Medium risk;
Asbestos pipe / Asbestos cement pipe – Low risk; and
Asbestos vinyl floor tiles – Low risk.
The condition of the Asbestos also affects the risk rating. Asbestos materials in a good condition where Asbestos fibers are not clearly visible pose less of a risk than a material in a poor condition with areas of damage and visible fibers.
Once an assessment of the risk rating has been made (this should be available in the report produced by the certified Asbestos consultant), the property owner is left with two options – Remove the Asbestos or leave the Asbestos in place and manage the risk
Asbestos Removal
If you decide that you wish to have the Asbestos removed, you should contact Asbestos abatement companies that are capable of undertaking the Asbestos removal works. It is not recommended that you try and remove the Asbestos yourself as this could spread the Asbestos material and dust and make the situation worse. Abatement contractors have specialist training, equipment and safe procedures of work to make sure the works are carried out safely. In Abu Dhabi, abatement companies must be registered with the Centre of Waste Management (Tadweer) and must prove their competency to undertake Asbestos abatement. Additional requirements under the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) may also apply depending on the type and location of the site.
The works must be supervised by an Asbestos Supervising Consultant (ASC) registered with Occupational Health and Safety Abu Dhabi (OSHAD). The ASC should conduct Asbestos air sampling and measure any potential Asbestos exposure. They should also produce all necessary documentation to prove the Asbestos was removed safely. Similar requirements are in place in Dubai, however the regulator for the contractor and the disposal of the Asbestos waste is the Dubai Municipality (DM), and the consultant should have an ‘A’ grade rating with DM. In the Northern Emirates the same approach of using professional companies should be applied.
Asbestos Management
If you remove the Asbestos, you remove the risk. However, this is not always the most convenient or cost-effective solution. If the Asbestos can be made safe (through paint sealing or enclosing through mechanical means), then it may be best to leave the Asbestos in place and manage the risk. This solution will only work with low risk Asbestos materials that are unlikely to be disturbed (by humans, vehicles etc.) and can be maintained in a good condition. An example would be Asbestos cement car park shading in good condition, which is also paint sealed and labelled. If Asbestos is to remain it should be incorporated into an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) produced by an Asbestos specialist.
If you have any Asbestos related concerns, contact us to see how Anthesis Consulting Middle East can help you:
Charles Faulkner (Head of Environment, Health and Safety and Asbestos Team Leader)
Phone: +971 (0) 50 5541 320
Email: asbestos@anthesisgroup.com