Asbestos removal is subject to strict regulations which are laid down in various laws and decrees. When removing asbestos from buildings, from objects and from ground level, a survey first has to be conducted to detect any asbestos present. If asbestos is present, the risk class of the asbestos removal must be determined for each use involving asbestos. There are 3 risk classes. Separate conditions apply when removing asbestos from soil.
Please note that work involving asbestos must always be reported to the Netherlands Labour Authority at least 2 days before it starts.
Renovation or maintenance? Check checklistasbest.nl
If you are going to renovate or demolish an existing building, you should always check whether there is a risk of you coming into contact with asbestos. Companies that are intending to carry out work in buildings and are not certified to remove asbestos can perform a check at checklistasbest.nl (Dutch).
Risk class 1
If the removal of the material containing asbestos is classified in risk class 1, the exposure norms (limit value) will not be exceeded. This applies, for example, in the case of a loose cement board containing asbestos or a stove rope which contains asbestos and which is removed in its entirety. The risk in these situations is limited and that is why the asbestos does not need to be removed by a certified company. The work may also be carried out by non-certified companies. In some cases, private individuals are also allowed to remove asbestos, although they then must comply with specific conditions.
It is essential that a number of preventive measures are taken to minimise the concentration of asbestos fibres in the air. The working method must not, for example, produce asbestos dust, nor release it into the air. What is more, any material containing asbestos should be removed by dismantling it wherever possible, without breaking it. Other necessary measures include source extraction, wetting or foaming the application or using a glovebag or glovebox. Asbestos must also be stored and transported in a sealed container.
If it transpires during the work that the limit is nevertheless being exceeded, measures must be taken immediately.
Proper training is essential for workers who carry out work which involves a risk of exposure to asbestos dust, to ensure that they can carry out this work safely. Their employer should also provide them with information about the dangers of asbestos and the need to monitor airborne asbestos levels.
Work involving asbestos must always be reported (Dutch) to the Netherlands Labour Authority at least 2 days before it starts. After the work has been reported, supervisors can arrange inspection visits to check whether the work is being carried out properly. The Netherlands Labour Authority and other regulators are cracking down on unsafe asbestos removal. Work that falls into risk class 1 must be reported using a form which can be found on the website of the Netherlands Labour Authority.
An on-site visual inspection must be carried out after risk class 1 asbestos has been removed. The aim is to establish that asbestos is no longer present. The NEN2990 standard provides some guidance on how to carry out a visual inspection properly.
Risk class 2/2a
If the asbestos survey shows that material containing asbestos can only be removed safely if the work is carried out in accordance with the rules of risk classes 2 or 2a, this will mean that the limit value is being exceeded. This might apply, for example, in the case of a corrugated sheet roof, pipe insulation or a bricked-in stove pipe. In such a situation the risk is unacceptable because the health of workers could be seriously harmed. That is why work which is covered by classes 2 or 2a should only be carried out by a certified company. Certified companies have access to specialist knowledge, specific equipment and tools, and expertly trained workers to ensure that the asbestos is removed in the safest possible way.
Soil
Separate rules apply to the remediation of soil containing asbestos and a separate form is available for reporting this type of contamination. More information is available on the website iplo.nl (Dutch).
Work which is covered by risk classes 2 or 2a must be carried out by or under the constant supervision of someone who has been certified as an Expert Asbestos Removal Supervisor (DTA) or an Expert Asbestos Remover (DAV). The Expert Asbestos Removal Supervisor and Expert Asbestos Remover will have received specific training for work which is covered by risk classes 2 or 2a and their knowledge and skills are assessed several times a year.
In order to minimise the release of asbestos fibres, it is important to remove the material containing asbestos by dismantling as much as possible. In addition to the measures applicable to risk class 1 activities, additional measures apply to asbestos removal performed in accordance with risk classes 2 and 2a. A work plan must be drawn up in advance, the work area must be cordoned off and marked with warning signs and the spread of asbestos-containing dust must be prevented.
If work involving asbestos is to be carried out indoors, one of the obligations that has to be complied with is that the space in question must be sealed off, and negative pressure must be created. Furthermore, when conducting work which is covered by risk classes 2 or 2a, workers are required to wear respiratory protection equipment and certain requirements will apply as regards decontamination and hygiene. Asbestos should be removed prior to other work being performed to prevent any undesirable spread.
Work involving asbestos must always be reported (Dutch) to the Netherlands Labour Authority at least 2 days before it starts. After the work has been reported, supervisors can arrange inspection visits to check whether the work is being carried out properly. The Netherlands Labour Authority and other regulators are cracking down on unsafe asbestos removal. Work which is covered by risk classes 2 or 2a must be registered in the National Asbestos Tracking System (Landelijk Asbestvolgsysteem). This is generally done by the certified company that is going to carry out the work.
The Netherlands Labour Authority no longer sends confirmations of receipt (pdf) to the person submitting the report, competent authorities and certifying bodies. However, LAVS is continuing to do so and, although these confirmations are structured differently to the notifications which used to be sent by the Netherlands Labour Authority, they contain the same information. More information on the National Asbestos Tracking System is available on the website iplo.nl.
Once asbestos which falls into risk classes 2 or 2a has been removed, the workplace must be presented in a clean state so that it is again safe for everyone to enter. An independent final assessment must be carried out in accordance with NEN 2990 by an accredited laboratory or inspection company. These organisations can determine whether the asbestos has been completely removed and that no residue or fibres have been left behind. If that is the case, additional cleaning will be necessary. Risk class 2a activities are subject to a more stringent final assessment than those performed in accordance with risk class 2.
Telescopic handler
If you use a man basket which is linked to a telescopic handler, or if you rent out such equipment to others, you need to take account of the 7 safety requirements for safe use (Dutch).
More information
Questions and answers about asbestos (Dutch)
Reporting asbestos removal work (Dutch)
Register of certificates (Dutch)
Certification scheme (Dutch)
Register of accredited companies (Dutch)
Conditions applicable to private removal work (Dutch)