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Method Statement 3.10 - Cutting and Disposal of Asbestos Cement Pipe

Document Information

Field Value
Document Reference MS 3.10
Issue Number 2
Issue Date 1 June 2026
Next Review 1 June 2027
Prepared By Sean Ashton
Approved By Aaron Mason, Director
Task No Task PPE to be worn Plant required Reference is made to the Team Pack risk assessment
3.10 Cutting and Disposal of Asbestos Cement Pipe As defined by on-site risk assessment Cable avoidance equipment, works vehicle, pipe cracker and hand tools N/A

Hazards

  • Manual Handling
  • Stored Energy in the Pipe
  • Defective Plant and Equipment
  • Incorrect Loading
  • Insufficient Space
  • Towing Techniques

Environmental Impacts

  • Noise
  • Dust
  • Light From Night working

Customer Impacts

  • Noise
  • Dust
  • Access

Training Required

As Per specific contract training matrix

Additional Plant and Equipment

  • Winch/Tractor Winch
  • Pipe Bursting/Slip Lining Rig
  • Mechanical Excavator

Permits Required

As Per specific contract specifications and Client requirements.

COSHH Assessment Required

  • 2 Stroke Oil
  • Diesel/Petrol
  • Line Marker Spray
  • Lubricating Spray

Sequence of Operations and Control Methods

IMPORTANT NOTICE

ALL OPERATIONS THAT INVOLVES THE CUTTING AND/OR DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A PERMIT TO WORK PROCEDURE

Personal Protective Equipment Requirements

  • All operatives cutting/handling the asbestos cement pipes/ducts must wear Overalls with hood - Disposable overalls. Type 5 (BS EN ISO 13982-1) are suitable. (Cotton overalls hold dust and need specialist laundering.)
  • Footwear – overshoes and/or boots without laces.
  • Impervious gloves
  • RPE - Disposable RPE (e.g. FFP3) or half-mask RPE (with P3 filters) Assigned Protection Factor of 20 or more.
  • All operatives working in the vicinity of any asbestos cement pipe/duct that is being cut/broken must also wear disposable overalls, impervious gloves and respirator.

Cutting and Breaking Procedures

  • Only use hand tools to cut/break the asbestos cement duct etc (chain crackers). On no account must abrasive wheels or mechanical breakers to be used to break/remove the asbestos.
  • The asbestos cement pipe/duct must be kept damp/wet during the cutting process in order to reduce the amount of dust generated.
  • Wherever possible, the asbestos cement pipe/duct must be broken out of the joint(s) so as to reduce the amount of cutting with the excavation.
  • The asbestos cement pipe/duct must be removed in as large a sections as is possible. On no account must the pipe/duct be broken or smashed into small pieces.

Disposal of Broken Pipe Pieces

  • The cut sections must be double bagged with bags provided by the authorised company – red first, clear second and securely sealed with tape/string. The bags must be clearly labelled and placed within the skip provided at all times.
  • Unlock the skip for each deposit and relock the skip once deposited. The skip must also be checked to ensure it is locked before leaving site.
  • Each time an operative is working on the main the supervisor must note his name and the duration he is working on the pipe/duct to ensure that the duration exposed does not exceed the guidelines detailed within AA procedure AA-041 the Management of Asbestos during Operational Activities.

Disposal of Protective Clothing/PPE

Once all asbestos cement waste has been removed and the working area cleaned, the disposable overalls, respirator and impervious gloves must be doubled bagged and disposed of as asbestos waste as well as any wipes, bin liners etc which has come into contact within the excavations and ensure boots are washed down to ensure any dust particles are removed. Prior to leaving site all PPE must be removed and disposed of by double bagging and labelling and on returning don a new set of PPE prior to starting works.

Disposal of Asbestos Waste

Seven days' notice is required to the site supervisor so the skip and asbestos cement waste can be taken to a tip authorised to receive such waste with a 'waste consignment note' arranged by an authorised contractor. On no account must the waste be placed into normal waste skips or disposed of as general waste.

Disposal of Water from Excavation

Contaminated water shall be collected from the excavation by tanker, from an approved supplier and disposed at a licensed tip.