Asbestos remains one of the most highly regulated materials in the UK due to the serious health risks associated with its fibres. While some asbestos work requires a government licence, not all does. Lower-risk activities can fall under the category of non-licensed asbestos work. Understanding what this means, when it applies, and what duties still exist is essential for employers, tradespeople, and building owners alike.
What Is Non-Licensed Asbestos Work?
Non-licensed asbestos work refers to tasks involving asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that are considered low risk. This means the work is sporadic, short in duration, and involves materials where asbestos fibres are firmly bound in a solid matrix, such as asbestos cement, vinyl floor tiles, or textured coatings.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines non-licensed work as activities where the risk of fibre release is minimal and exposure levels stay below the legal control limit. Examples include drilling small holes in asbestos cement sheets, painting or sealing undamaged asbestos boards, or removing a few intact floor tiles containing asbestos.
Why Some Asbestos Work Doesn’t Need a Licence
The main reason certain asbestos work can be done without a licence is that not all ACMs pose the same level of danger. Friable materials, those that crumble easily, like insulation or sprayed coatings can release fibres quickly and require specialist handling under a licence. Non-friable materials, on the other hand, keep fibres trapped unless they are severely disturbed.
However, “non-licensed” doesn’t mean “no risk.” Even these tasks must be planned carefully, with appropriate safety measures in place to keep exposure as low as possible.
The Legal Requirements for Non-Licensed Work
Even when a licence isn’t required, there are still strict legal duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Before work begins, a risk assessment must be carried out to determine the type, condition, and location of asbestos. Based on this, a plan of work should be written that explains how the task will be done safely and what controls will be used.
Workers carrying out non-licensed asbestos work must also be trained and competent. Training should cover the risks of asbestos, how to use protective equipment, safe handling methods, and emergency procedures in case of accidental damage or exposure. Boss Training provides a Non-Licensed Asbestos Removal Course which is UKATA approved.
Safe Work Practices and Controls
When carrying out non-licensed asbestos work, the key principle is to prevent fibre release. This is achieved through careful planning and control measures such as:
- Using hand tools instead of power tools where possible.
- Damping down materials to reduce dust.
- Avoiding breaking materials unnecessarily.
- Wearing disposable overalls and suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
- Cleaning up using wet rags or a Class H vacuum cleaner, not standard domestic vacuums.
Waste from asbestos work must always be treated as hazardous waste, double-bagged, and disposed of at a licensed site.
Common Examples of Non-Licensed Work
Typical non-licensed asbestos activities include small-scale maintenance tasks such as:
- Drilling holes into textured coatings or asbestos cement sheets.
- Removing a few asbestos-containing floor tiles using controlled techniques.
- Painting or sealing undamaged asbestos materials to prevent deterioration.
- Cleaning up small amounts of debris where exposure is low and short-term.
Each of these tasks must still follow the proper control procedures to ensure that workers and others nearby remain protected.
Why Proper Training and Awareness Matter
Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, can take decades to develop, and even low-level exposure can be harmful over time. That’s why training and awareness are crucial, even for non-licensed work. Anyone likely to disturb asbestos should have at least asbestos awareness training, while those undertaking the actual work require more specific instruction on safe handling and waste procedures.
Non-licensed asbestos work is designed for low-risk situations, but it still comes with serious responsibilities. The absence of a licence requirement doesn’t remove the duty to manage asbestos safely, plan the work properly, and protect workers from exposure. Always carry out a risk assessment, follow HSE guidance, and if you’re ever in doubt about the category of work, treat it as higher risk and seek professional advice.
