Decommissioning a facility? Asbestos is typically present throughout.
Industrial plants, power stations, military bases, naval vessels, and large infrastructure facilities built before 2000 typically contain large quantities of asbestos throughout their structure, in thermal insulation, fire protection, gaskets, seals, and structural materials.
Decommissioning these facilities requires a comprehensive asbestos survey followed by a phased removal programme before general demolition can begin. The scale is often significant: a single industrial plant may contain hundreds of tonnes of asbestos-containing materials.
Decommissioning projects require specialised project management that coordinates asbestos removal with other hazardous material handling, structural engineering, and environmental remediation. The regulatory requirements are extensive and vary by jurisdiction.
The Problem
Ship decommissioning and breaking is one of the most asbestos-intensive industrial activities. Vessels built before 2000 contain asbestos throughout, engine room insulation, bulkhead linings, pipe lagging, gaskets, brake systems, and fire doors. A single large vessel can contain tonnes of asbestos materials.
Ship breaking must follow international conventions (Hong Kong Convention, Basel Convention) and national regulations governing asbestos removal from vessels. The confined spaces, complex structures, and marine environment make ship decommissioning uniquely challenging from an asbestos management perspective.
What You Need
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ships still built with asbestos?
Modern ships are not built with asbestos. However, older vessels constructed before the 1990s often contain extensive asbestos insulation, and refitting or decommissioning these ships requires specialist asbestos management.
When did the navy stop using asbestos in their ships?
The Royal Navy began phasing out asbestos in the late 1970s, with most uses eliminated by the 1990s. However, legacy asbestos remains in older vessels and shore installations.
What happens to a ship when it's decommissioned?
Decommissioned ships undergo hazardous material surveys, including comprehensive asbestos removal, before dismantling. This process is regulated to prevent environmental contamination and worker exposure.
What asbestos surveys are required before decommissioning a facility?
A full demolition and refurbishment survey (invasive/destructive) is typically required before decommissioning. This goes beyond a standard management survey by accessing hidden areas behind walls, above ceilings, and within service ducts to locate all ACMs before dismantling begins.
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