CAR 2012 compliant. From prep to clearance.

Before the LARC starts removing ACMs, the site needs preparation. We clean the area to remove dust and debris that would otherwise become contaminated with asbestos fibres during removal - this reduces the volume of hazardous waste and makes the removal cleaner and faster. We protect fixtures, fittings, and equipment that cannot be removed (wrap in polythene sheeting, tape securely). We set up decontamination zones (transit airlock, bag lock, hygiene unit connection). We pre-clean adjacent areas that will become part of the exclusion zone. This is governed by HSG247 - the Licensed Contractors' Guide.

Asbestos cleaning requires H-class HEPA-filtered vacuums - M-class is not sufficient. H-class captures 99.995% of particles, including asbestos fibres. We vacuum all surfaces in the work area (walls, floors, ceilings, fixtures, ledges, ductwork) systematically. Vacuum bags are double-bagged in UN-approved red asbestos bags and consigned as hazardous waste. We never use brush attachments that can flick fibres into the air - we use dedicated asbestos vacuum tools. Our H-class vacuums are serviced and tested every 6 months per HSG247, with filter change records kept on file.

After vacuuming, we wet-wipe all surfaces with controlled water (Class B wetting agent added to reduce fibre release). We use disposable rags, changed frequently, and double-bagged as hazardous waste after use. Wet-wiping is more effective than dry dusting - it captures fibres rather than redistributing them. We work methodically (top to bottom, far to near) to avoid re-contaminating cleaned areas. Surfaces are wipe-tested for residual dust after cleaning. This stage is repeated until all visible dust is removed.

After the LARC has removed the bulk ACMs, the area must be deep-cleaned before the analyst can conduct the four-stage clearance inspection (which leads to the Reoccupation Certificate). We vacuum all surfaces (H-class HEPA), wet-wipe all surfaces, clean the floor, and clean the decontamination zone. We remove and bag the polythene sheeting. We clean and inspect the airlocks and bag locks. The aim is to leave the area visibly clean with no dust or debris, ready for the analyst's inspection. The analyst's stage 3 inspection (air monitoring) requires this level of cleanliness.

All asbestos waste (vacuum bags, used rags, polythene sheeting, used PPE, any residual ACM fragments) is double-bagged in UN-approved red asbestos bags, labelled per CAR 2012 requirements, and consigned to a licensed hazardous waste facility under the Hazardous Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2005. Consignment note issued per uplift - kept on file for 3 years per SEPA. Waste tracked from site to carrier to disposal facility. Certificate of destruction provided. Asbestos waste must be consigned within 6 months of bagging - we never store it on site longer than necessary.

Full documentation pack issued within 24 hours of completion: site-specific risk assessment, RAMS, operative training records (CAR 2012, HSG247, HSG264, COSHH), H-class vacuum service records, chemical application log, photos (pre-clean, during clean, post-clean), waste consignment notes, certificate of destruction, £5m public liability certificate, SEPA waste carrier registration. Suitable for the analyst's four-stage clearance inspection, HSE audit, regulator audit, and client records. We work with all the major UK asbestos analysts and our documentation has never been rejected.