Managing Asbestos

Asbestos - The Dangers

Where is Asbestos found in Buildings?

Managing Asbestos

Deciding what to do

What should you tell your workers/contractors?

What the law says

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Asbestos may be present if the building was constructed or refurbished between 1950-1980 and particularly if it also has a steel frame and/or boilers with thermal insulation. In some cases asbestos containing materials were used up until 1999.

If present, you will need to know the location, form, condition and type of asbestos. You may need to arrange to analyse samples of materials that you suspect contain asbestos.
If you have any doubts about any of the material in your premises you must presume it contains asbestos.

Do not break or damage such material - samples should only be taken by suitably trained people. The accreditation body, UKAS, has a list of accredited companies that can offer the inspection service in your area, and this is available at www.ukas.org (click the "TESTING" banner, then enter "asbestos" and your postcode in the relevant fields, before selecting "Identification"). Alternatively try sourcing "Analytical Research Chemists" in the Yellow Pages).

Deciding what to do depends on the condition and type of material:
If the material is in good condition/ not likely to be damaged/ not likely to be worked on then it is safest to leave the material in place and introduce a management system.

For this to be effective the owner/occupier of the premises must be in position to exercise control over access by workers, contractors etc. and be able/prepared to exercise that control. If the material is in poor condition/likely to be damaged or disturbed, then you need to repair, seal, enclose or remove the material

What should you tell your workers/contractors
Where employees or contractors are liable to come into contact with asbestos or suspected asbestos material you should ensure that they are aware of its location and are made aware of any asbestos register. There should be an appropriate nominated person identified in the management system to deal with enquiries.

What the law says
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (2002) requires employers to prevent exposure of employees to asbestos. If this is not reasonably practicable, exposure should be controlled to the lowest possible level.

Assessment of likely exposure is required before any work with asbestos is carried out - if you use a contractor make sure this has been done and that work practices to reduce exposures have been specified.

These regulations introduce a new duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. This duty came into force in May 2004.The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations require that a contractor doing more than two hours work with asbestos lagging or coating must be licensed. It is recommended that a licensed contractor is used regardless of the length of time the job is likely to take.

http://www.nu-riskservices.co.uk/news/features/cms
"A duty to Manage Asbestos in Buildings" A 2004 article offering a very detailed analysis of the above issues

http://www.nu-riskservices.co.uk/news/articles/news_asbestos
Article providing a simple checklist devised by the TUC and the HSE.

http://www.hse.gov.uk
More detailed information and advice concerning the new duty to manage asbestos in buildings is available from the HSE in its Approved Code of Practice.

The regulations are available from: http://www.hmso.gov.uk