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richard swallow
Member - 1 post
We are currently relocating an oven from one factory to another. The oven contains Amosite asbestos cement blocks that are contained safely within the oven structure and do not represent a hazard to operators or maintenance engineers as is.
The oven will need to be cut up to move it (as built length is 70m long)and doing so will temporarily expose some but not all of these blocks whilst the oven is in transit. When re-built they will again be contained.
Do we need to remove the asbestos when re-installing this oven into the new site or can it be contained in the same manner, as the regulations though clear on management in situ, are not clear about relocation or re-installation of an item of equipment that contains asbestos.
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John Richards - Thames Laboratories
Online advisor - 8 posts
Richard.
I believe your issue here is not one of management but of the re-use of asbestos.
Re-use has prohibited since 1999 but the term re-use is not clearly defined. If the item is being moved off site this would probably be re-use, however moving it within a building is probably not re-use.
The only examples of this I am aware of relate to theoretical examples of re-use for asbestos panels.
Given the scale of the issue and the costs involved I would suggest that you get a definitive answer from the Health and Safety Executive. If your local office is unable to assist you could try the asbestos licensing unit in Edinburgh or the asbestos policy unit at Rose Court in London.
This is very much a grey area at present and I would suggest you get whatever response they offer in writing.
John Richards
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