Asbestos removal permit is an official permit issued by the Regional Administration Office (AVI), without which no company or individual may carry out asbestos removal work in Finland. The permit is based on the Government Regulation on asbestos work 798/2015, and it has been mandatory in every site where asbestos-containing building materials are handled. The asbestos demolition permit is a key guarantee of occupational safety and environmental health, and the authorities strictly monitor its compliance.
What is an asbestos demolition permit and what is it based on
An asbestos demolition permit is a business permit based on occupational safety and health protection. The Regional Administration Office is responsible for issuing it, and the regulation is based on the Government Regulation 798/2015 and the Occupational Safety Act 738/2002. The permit is specific to a company or business name, and it is valid for five years at a time. The permit holder must keep a record of each demolition site and notify the work safety authority in advance.
For whom an asbestos removal permit is required
An asbestos demolition permit is required for every company that does any kind of demolition or processing of asbestos-containing materials. This applies, for example, to the removal of pipe insulation, the dismantling of asbestos cement sheets, the removal of old tile adhesives and the tearing up of vinyl flooring. The mere processing of the material is enough to trigger a permit requirement, even if the quantity is small.
Individuals may not carry out asbestos removal on their own. Even if it is your own apartment, DIY asbestos demolition is prohibited by law. The only legal route is to order the work from an authorized asbestos removal company with a valid AVI permit.
Asbestos removal permit requirements
When applying for a permit, the company must demonstrate that it meets the strict requirements. The most important prerequisites are:
- Personnel training: demolition workers must have approved asbestos removal work training and an identity card for it.
- Equipment: airtight work area equipment, vacuum seats, HEPA filters (H13 or H14) and appropriate containment facilities.
- Personal protective equipment: P3 class respirators, disposable coveralls, safety glasses and protective gloves.
- Measuring equipment: air sampling equipment to monitor exposure.
- Management: designated responsible person and documented work methods.
- Insurances: adequate liability insurance.
Permit process at the Regional Administration Office
An asbestos removal permit is applied for with the Regional Administration Office's electronic application. An explanation of the personnel's qualifications, a list of equipment, a description of the quality system and the company's basic information are attached to the application. AVI can make an inspection visit before issuing the permit. The processing time is typically a few weeks, and after a positive decision the permit is valid for five years. Renewal requires meeting the same requirements.
Penalties for unlicensed asbestos removal
Work done without a valid asbestos removal permit is a crime. The sanctions are significant and can be directed at both the customer and the author:
- A fine or, at most, a prison sentence for an occupational safety crime.
- Interruption of work ordered by the occupational safety and health authority.
- Mandatory additional cleanings that can cost tens of thousands of euros.
- Expiration of the insurance company's liability for employee injuries.
- Liability for possible health problems decades later.
Supervisory authorities are Regional Administration Agency (AVI), Tukes and regional Occupational Safety and Health Authority. Each entity can inspect the construction site and demand to see the permit documents.
Surveying and demolition are two different professions
An asbestos survey is mandatory before every removal work in buildings built before 1994. The surveying expert takes samples and reports where asbestos is present and in what form. Only after this, the licensed asbestos removal company can plan the demolition safely. A surveyor and a dismantler are two separate professions that require their own competence and training. The same company does not need to do both, and in many cases it is clearer to use separate actors.
Asbesti.pro forwards asbestos surveys to qualified surveyors throughout Finland. With the survey report, you can quickly find a licensed removal company and ensure that your renovation proceeds according to the law from the beginning. Order an asbestos survey now and you will receive the necessary documents for demolition before the work begins.