Asbestos on the Farm. A Practical Guide for Northern Ireland Farmers
Drive through almost any part of rural Northern Ireland and you’ll see them: grey, corrugated roofs on byres, hay sheds, machinery stores and old outbuildings. Many of those roofs are made from asbestos cement, a material used on farms across the UK for decades because it was cheap, durable and weatherproof.
If you farm in Northern Ireland, there’s a good chance you have asbestos somewhere on your land. That’s not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to know where it is and how to handle it safely.
Where asbestos is commonly found on farms
- Roof sheets and wall cladding on sheds, byres, stores and garages
- Rainwater goods – gutters and downpipes
- Water tanks and troughs made of asbestos cement
- Flues and vent pipes, particularly on older boilers and heaters
- Old boiler and pipe insulation in farmhouses and dairies
- Fire-resistant panels in older workshops, dairies and outbuildings
- Buried or dumped waste from old demolition work
Any farm building constructed or roofed before 2000 could contain asbestos.
Is asbestos cement dangerous?
Asbestos cement typically contains around 10–15% asbestos, mostly chrysotile (white asbestos), bound tightly in cement. When it’s intact and left alone, it releases very few fibres and is considered lower risk than materials such as pipe lagging or insulating board.
The risk increases when sheets are:
- Broken or cracked, for example by storm damage or falling branches
- Weathered and crumbling after decades of exposure
- Cut, drilled or sanded during repairs or modifications
- Pressure-washed or scraped, for instance to remove moss and lichen
Power-washing an asbestos cement roof is a particularly bad idea. It can erode the surface, release fibres and spread contaminated slurry across your yard.
The other big danger: fragile roofs
Asbestos cement sheets are fragile. They won’t safely support a person’s weight and can shatter without warning, especially as they age. Falls through fragile roofs are one of the leading causes of death and serious injury on farms across the UK and Ireland.
Never walk directly on an asbestos cement roof. Any work at height needs proper planning and equipment such as crawling boards, roof ladders, staging or a mobile elevating work platform. If in doubt, work from underneath or bring in a professional.
Do farmers have legal duties?
Yes. A farm is a workplace, so farm buildings count as non-domestic premises under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012. That means the person responsible for maintaining them has a duty to manage asbestos, find out what’s there, assess its condition, keep a record and share that information with anyone working on the buildings.
The farmhouse itself is a private dwelling and isn’t covered by the duty to manage, but the health risks are just the same if you’re renovating.
Repairing, replacing or removing asbestos sheets
If you’re planning to replace an old roof, extend a shed or demolish an outbuilding, a few rules apply:
- Confirm what you’re dealing with. Not all grey fibre cement contains asbestos – many sheets made from the late 1980s onwards are asbestos-free. A survey and laboratory testing will tell you for certain, so you only spend money where you need to.
- Plan the work properly. Some asbestos cement work can be done without a licence if carried out correctly, but it still requires trained workers, suitable controls and protective equipment. Other asbestos materials require a contractor licensed by HSENI.
- Dispose of it legally. Asbestos is hazardous waste. It must be wrapped, labelled and taken to an authorised facility by a registered carrier. Never burn it, bury it or dump it. Check with your local council about what, if anything, they accept.
After a storm
Northern Ireland has seen some severe storms in recent years. If asbestos sheets have been damaged, keep people and livestock away from broken pieces, avoid walking on debris, and don’t try to sweep up dry fragments. Dampen any small pieces and get professional advice before starting clean-up or repairs.
How we can help
Asbestos Solutions NI carries out asbestos surveys and testing on farms right across Northern Ireland. We’ll identify which materials contain asbestos, assess their condition and give you clear, practical advice – whether that’s leaving sheets in place, monitoring them, or planning a safe replacement.
We understand farm life and work around your schedule. Call 07702 332 333 for straightforward advice or a quote.
