No need to inspect/test it, it will have asbestos in it.

There is an H+S article about this:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a33.pdf

It is non-licensable, so at the minor end of the risk scale. Taking out the asbestos, and reusing the DB is a non starter really. It will cost just as much to remove the asbestos as to replace the DB. The best way to do it is to cut off the cables as they enter the DB, then take it out complete. That will cause some problems with reconnecting, but thats what we do as a trade, so there will be ways around that.

The asbestos removal process set out by the HSE is not for ordinary persons but for asbestos workers. Ordinary persons will not have the correct facilities to decontaminate themselves or the equipment they use. When asbestos removal work is undertaken the contractors bring a mobile shower unit to site. The removal site itself is sheeted up and sealed and often a negative pressure unit installed in the sheeted enclosure.

I have had friends die of mesothelioma years after working on or near asbestos. It is a quick and fatal disease. 

In my Post Office career when the risks became more well known myself and other engineers had chest Xrays and lung expansion tests. I was clear but that did not, and could not, detect a single fibre hooked in to my lung. 

As one of the engineers who worked for me said, " They are not giving out medals for working with asbestos so why the **** would I want to do that?"

My strong advice to you is you do not  work on anything made of asbestos or anything having the appearance of asbestos! That includes opening enclosures and removing fuses.

As Alan says crowbar the board off the wall, after making safe and cutting the cable ends, as dispose of as hazardous waste. 

JP

The asbestos removal process set out by the HSE is not for ordinary persons but for asbestos workers. Ordinary persons will not have the correct facilities to decontaminate themselves or the equipment they use. When asbestos removal work is undertaken the contractors bring a mobile shower unit to site. The removal site itself is sheeted up and sealed and often a negative pressure unit installed in the sheeted enclosure.

I have had friends die of mesothelioma years after working on or near asbestos. It is a quick and fatal disease. 

In my Post Office career when the risks became more well known myself and other engineers had chest Xrays and lung expansion tests. I was clear but that did not, and could not, detect a single fibre hooked in to my lung. 

As one of the engineers who worked for me said, " They are not giving out medals for working with asbestos so why the **** would I want to do that?"

My strong advice to you is you do not  work on anything made of asbestos or anything having the appearance of asbestos! That includes opening enclosures and removing fuses.

As Alan says crowbar the board off the wall, after making safe and cutting the cable ends, as dispose of as hazardous waste. 

JP

I absolutely agree that’s why we are dragging an asbestos consultant in for him to give it in plain English to the client. 
I was trained in asbestos removal in the early 80’s and since then steer well clear of the stuff, like you say 1 fibre can kill you. 

John Peckham said:

It is a quick and fatal disease.

Once you have it, but I have known cases occur 60 years after exposure.

John Peckham said:

My strong advice to you is you do not  work on anything made of asbestos or anything having the appearance of asbestos! That includes opening enclosures and removing fuses.

Agreed. (Except that it may be necessary to open an enclosure to see what lies within.)