When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and asbestos teams carrying out asbestos waste disposal — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised demolition & strip-out hazards for this task, with the controls a reviewer expects to see.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 9 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Double-bag, label and dispose of non-licensed asbestos waste via a licensed carrier.
Sequence of works
- 1Brief all operatives on the task: confirm training (non-licensed asbestos awareness), PPE requirements, designated route and waste storage location before work begins.
- 2Don full PPE (coveralls, gloves, FFP3/P3 RPE, goggles) at the designated donning point before entering the asbestos work area.
- 3Gently place asbestos waste material into the inner UN-approved polythene bag (minimum 300 gauge), keeping fill weight below 25 kg; expel excess air and seal securely by twisting and taping.
- 4Insert the sealed inner bag into a second outer UN-approved polythene bag of the same specification; seal the outer bag in the same manner.
- 5Wipe or HEPA-vacuum the exterior surface of the outer bag to remove any surface fibre contamination, then immediately affix a compliant asbestos warning label showing: 'CONTAINS ASBESTOS', contractor details and date.
- 6Supervisor inspects labelled bags for integrity and label completeness before removal from the work area.
- 7Transport sealed, labelled bags via the pre-agreed designated route (avoiding occupied areas) using a sack trolley where practical; deposit in the locked, signed waste storage compound.
- 8Doff PPE at the decontamination point: shadow-vacuum coveralls, roll inward and bag as asbestos waste, wash hands and face. Reusable RPE to be decontaminated per manufacturer's instructions.
- 9Complete Hazardous Waste Consignment Note; confirm licensed carrier identity and registration number at the point of collection and retain all documentation for a minimum of three years.
- 10After carrier collection, inspect the waste storage area for any spillage or residual contamination and clean as necessary using damp wiping or HEPA vacuum methods.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Asbestos fibre inhalation during waste bagging
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Handle waste gently and avoid unnecessary manipulation or compression of waste bags to prevent fibre release.
- › Place all asbestos waste into a sealed inner UN-approved polythene bag (minimum 300 gauge), then place into a second outer bag, sealing each before moving to the next stage.
- › Erect barriers and signage to exclude non-essential personnel from the immediate waste bagging area to prevent inadvertent exposure.
- › Wear a minimum FFP3 disposable respirator or a half-face P3 filter respirator, face-fit tested, during all waste handling and bagging operations.
Unlabelled or incorrectly labelled asbestos waste
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Affix a legible, durable asbestos warning label to the outer bag as required by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Schedule 2) and current waste classification guidance prior to moving or storing waste.
- › A competent supervisor must inspect all labelled bags for completeness and legibility before waste is collected by the licensed carrier.
Use of unlicensed waste carrier
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Confirm the carrier holds a valid upper-tier Environment Agency waste carrier registration (or equivalent devolved authority) before contracting them. Retain copy documentation on site.
- › Complete a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note for all asbestos waste transfers; retain copies for a minimum of three years as required by Hazardous Waste Regulations.
Cross-contamination of clean areas
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Plan and communicate a specific route for moving bagged waste from the work area to the designated waste storage point or vehicle, avoiding occupied or clean areas.
- › Wipe down or HEPA-vacuum the exterior of sealed outer bags before removing them from the immediate work area to remove any surface fibre contamination.
Contaminated PPE and clothing disposal
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Wear Type 5/6 disposable coveralls; remove by rolling inward to contain fibres, bag and label as asbestos waste immediately after each work session.
- › Provide or use existing shadow-vacuuming (HEPA) and washing facilities at the work area boundary to decontaminate before removing remaining personal clothing.
Manual handling of heavy waste bags
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Restrict bag fill so that no single bag exceeds 25 kg. Use smaller bags or multiple bags as necessary and record weight limits in the task briefing.
- › Assess all manual handling tasks under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992; instruct operatives in correct technique and use team-lifting for heavier loads.
- › Use sack trolleys or wheeled bins to transport bags from the work area to the waste storage or vehicle loading point where practicable.
Inadequate waste storage on site
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Store sealed, labelled asbestos waste bags in a locked, clearly signed, hard-standing area or skip with a rigid lockable lid, away from general site traffic, until collection by a licensed carrier.
- › Arrange carrier collection at the earliest opportunity to reduce the period during which waste bags are present on site and subject to potential damage.
Skin and eye contact with asbestos material
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Wear nitrile or similar disposable gloves during all handling, and chemical-splash goggles or a full-face RPE unit to protect eyes from falling debris or fragments.
- › Support and move waste items gently to avoid fragmenting material that could project sharp particles.
Slips and trips during waste movement
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Inspect and clear the designated waste removal route of obstructions, debris and slip hazards before commencing waste transport. Ensure adequate lighting.
- › Wear safety boots with anti-slip soles (to EN ISO 20345) throughout waste handling and transport.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
Competence
- ✓ Non-licensed / NNLW asbestos work ONLY — licensed work (e.g. AIB, lagging, sprayed coatings) must be done by an HSE-licensed contractor. Operatives need task-specific non-licensed asbestos training (beyond awareness); NNLW also needs medical surveillance, health records and notification to the enforcing authority
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Hand strip tools and wrecking bars
- › Dust suppression equipment
- › Waste chutes and covered skips
- › Asbestos sample kits (analyst use only)
- › Temporary props where structure is affected
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Asbestos survey reviewed before any strip-out
- ✓ Structural stability checked before load-bearing removal
- ✓ Waste segregation and disposal route
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a asbestos waste disposal RAMS?
Someone competent to plan the work — usually the contractor doing the job or their supervisor. A template like this gives you the recognised hazards and controls for asbestos waste disposal, but the person signing it off must review it as the competent person and confirm it matches the actual site and method.
How long is the RAMS valid for?
Until something changes — there's no fixed expiry in law. Review it if the method, site conditions, equipment or people change, after any incident or near miss, and at sensible intervals on longer jobs. Date the review and re-brief the team.
What regulations apply to asbestos waste disposal?
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) are the main ones, alongside Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a method statement need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.