Cleaning Debris From Guttering On An Asbestos Cement (AC) Roof

Health and Safety
Executive
a10
asbestos
Cleaning debris from

guttering on an asbestos
cement (AC) roof
essentials
Nonlicensed tasks
This information will help employers
and the selfemployed to comply with
What this sheet covers
the Control of Asbestos Regulations This sheet describes good practice when you need to remove debris from
2012. guttering.
It is also useful for trade union and The guttering may be made of AC, or it may simply collect water from an AC
employee safety representatives. roof.
Asbestos fibres can cause lung

cancer and lung diseases. Preparing the work area
The sheet covers the points you need ■ Ensure safe access.
to follow to reduce exposure to an ■ Can you do this work from groundlevel?
adequate level. ■ Restrict access minimise the number of people present.
■ Use tape and notices to warn others.
It can act as a risk assessment for
asbestos if it matches what you plan Caution: AC roofs are always fragile and cannot bear weight.
to do.
Equipment
Follow all the points, or use equally
effective measures. ■ Warning tape and notices;
■ scoop, trowel or scraper;
Only carry out this work if you are ■ gardentype sprayer or watering can containing wetting agent;
properly trained and have the right ■ bucket of water and rags;
equipment. ■ asbestos waste container, eg labelled polythene sack; and
■ clear polythene sack.
Main points
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
■ Asbestos fibres can kill. ■ Provide:
■ Keep exposures low using all the disposable overalls fitted with a hood;
controls in this sheet. boots without laces (laced boots are hard to decontaminate); and
■ Also follow sheet a0 and protective gloves. Select single use gloves.
equipment and method (em) ■ A respirator is not normally required.
sheets; see ‘Essential information’.
Procedure
■ Sprinkle the wetting solution into the gutter. Avoid creating a slurry.
■ Scoop out the debris into the waste container.
■ Wet the debris again if you find dry material.
Cleaning and disposal
■ Clean the equipment with damp rags.

■ Put used rags and other waste in the asbestos waste container and tape it
closed.
Wet the debris again if you find dry ■ Put the asbestos waste container in a clear polythene sack and tape it closed.
material, avoid creating a slurry ■ Disposal see sheet em9.
1 of 2 pages
Health and Safety
Executive
MORE HELP Personal decontamination

■ More asbestos pictures ■ See sheet em8.
www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/gallery.htm
■ Help to decide if work is licensed Clearance and checking off
www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/licensing/
index.htm ■ Visually inspect the area to make sure that it has been cleaned properly.
■ For information about health and ■ Clearance air sampling is not normally required.
safety, or to report inconsistencies or ■ Get the premises owner, dutyholder or client to check off the job.
inaccuracies in this guidance, visit
www.hse.gov.uk/. You can view HSE
guidance online or order priced
publications from the website.
HSE priced publications are also
available from bookshops.
■ These task (a) sheets and
equipment and method (em) sheets
can be downloaded free from
www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/
essentials/index.htm
■ See sheet a0 for details of more
guidance.
OTHER HAZARDS SAFETY CHECKLIST
Work at height see ✓ Can you avoid disturbing asbestos
www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm. by doing the job in some other
way?
Take precautions to avoid falls. Must
you work from a ladder? Where ✓ Do you need a licence for
necessary, erect an access platform. the work?
Work on fragile roofs see ✓ Always follow all legal

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/ requirements.
index.htm. Fragile roofs cannot bear ✓ Follow the task guidance sheet.
weight. ✓ Use an asbestos waste container.
There may also be other hazards ✓ Dispose at a licensed disposal
you need to consider them all. site.
Caution:
■ Don’t sweep up dust or debris
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Download and follow these advice This guidance is issued by the use a Class H vacuum cleaner or
sheets from www. hse.gov.uk Health and Safety Executive. damp rags.
■ Don’t take used overalls home.
/asbestos/essentials/index.htm: Following the guidance is not
compulsory and you are free to
em1 What to do if you uncover or
take other action. But if you do ■ Don’t reuse disposable PPE.
damage materials that could contain
asbestos
follow the guidance you will ■ Don’t smoke.
normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health ■ Don’t eat or drink in the
em2 Training
and safety inspectors seek to work area.
em5 Wetting asbestos materials secure compliance with the law
and may refer to this guidance
em7 Using damp rags to clean
as illustrating good practice.
surfaces of minor asbestos
contamination
em8 Personal decontamination This document is available at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm
em9 Disposal of asbestos waste © Crown copyright If you wish to reuse this information visit
www.hse.gov.uk/copyright for details. First published as part of
Asbestos Essentials Task Manual 2001.
Published by the Health and Safety Executive 04/12
asbestos essentials a10 Cleaning debris from guttering on an asbestos cement (AC) roof 2 of 2 pages

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