Asbestos Removal Operative
Careers Explorer:
Undertake the safe removal of material containing asbestos from a range of sites including shops, offices and people’s homes.
Overview
Asbestos was a hugely popular building material more than 30 years ago – it was strong, cheap, insulating, fire resistant and widely available, but was later found to be a hazardous substance.
The ingestion of asbestos fibres can be deadly though it’s only considered a hazard once it’s disturbed and the fibres are released into the air. Past exposure to asbestos currently results in 5,000 deaths every year, so Asbestos Removal Operatives perform an essential role in removing, or making safe, asbestos containing materials to reduce the exposure of people to asbestos.
You’ll be working for a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) licenced asbestos removal contractor and the work is carried out in a tightly controlled environment to prevent asbestos exposure.
You’ll be constructing safe working areas for asbestos removal or repair to take place and you’ll have to remove and package the asbestos waste material ready for transportation to a decontamination plant.
You’ll usually work in buildings constructed or refurbished prior to 1999, when asbestos was fully banned, of which they could be occupied, derelict or awaiting demolition.
Top 5 Tasks
- Construct bespoke containment enclosures around the asbestos containing material
- Safely remove the asbestos using a variety of specialist equipment
- Work in occupied, empty or derelict buildings
- Carry out the asbestos removal
- Wear specialist protective equipment.
Salary
Newly trained asbestos removal operatives can expect to earn around £20,000.
Trained with experience asbestos removal operatives can earn around £20,000 – £25,000, Supervisors can earn up to £35,000.
Salaries typically depend on location, employer and level of responsibility.
Am I Suited?
- Hands-on
- Practical
- Team player
- Physical
- Happy to work outside
Asbestos was banned from being used in the UK construction industry during the 1980s and 1990s.
Qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements and training is usually provided on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs in General Construction Operations are available at Levels 1, 2 and 3.
