Asbestos Management
Management solutions for audited compliance with asbestos regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I do about my asbestos?
- Why is the new Duty to Manage asbestos needed?
- Who will be the Duty Holder?
- What premises will the legislation apply to?
- What does the Duty Holder have to do to comply with the new legislation?
- Who needs to know where Asbestos is?
- Where might Asbestos be in my building?
- What sort of survey must I use?
- Where can I find more information?
What do I do about my asbestos?
When the average person is faced with this question, the thinking is one of vast expenditure with no return, but when looked at in more detail and with more understanding, it can be appreciated as a manageable risk.
The Health and Safety Executive has introduced legislation with which all commercial businesses are required to comply. The new regulations require every employer (Duty Holder) to identify and manage any asbestos found in their premises. They have to have an Asbestos Management Plan, carry out risk assessments and maintain an Asbestos Register detailing the probable exposure to it by their employees and to third party contractors for a period of 40 years.
This does not mean that all Asbestos has to be removed from their property, which would be a very costly exercise. Although, for those businesses able to take advantage, there is a tax incentive to replace Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) in their property. That is, all costs relating to the replacement with modern building materials can be reclaimed against income tax to the tune of 150%, quite an incentive!
Why is the new Duty to Manage asbestos needed?
Much has been done to minimise the risk associated with asbestos. The use, supply and importation of asbestos and asbestos products are controlled by strict Regulations. Any work with, on or around asbestos is also closely controlled, with many types of work requiring a licence. However, these Regulations only protect workers from exposure to asbestos when the presence of asbestos is known. At least a quarter of those dying from asbestos-related diseases have worked in the maintenance and building trades.
It is for the protection of those people who may be unknowingly exposed to asbestos fibres during their day to day work, such as plumbers, electricians, cable layers, gas fitters, painters and decorators, that the Duty to Manage has been introduced. The Duty seeks to ensure that asbestos in premises will be located, recorded and managed. Then those who may disturb or come into contact with it are informed of its location so they can take suitable precautions.
Who will be the Duty Holder?
All those who have responsibility for the maintenance and/or repair of non-domestic premises have duties under this regulation. The extent of the legal duty is determined by the terms of any tenancy agreement or contract that applies, and in the absence of any such agreement, on the degree of control the party has over the premises.
The duty holder may be the Business Owner, the Landlord or Tenant depending on the circumstances of the case. In some cases responsibility could be shared between two or more parties.
The regulation also includes a duty to co-operate, which applies widely. This will, for example, require a landlord to pass information on asbestos to a new tenant. Similarly a tenant must co-operate by allowing a landlord to gain access to a building, for example, to carry out a survey. Also, a building surveyor or architect who has plans which show information on the whereabouts of asbestos would be expected to make these available to the duty holder at a reasonable cost.
What premises will the legislation apply to?
The legislation applies to all non-domestic premises. This includes all commercial, public and industrial premises. It will also apply to common parts of domestic premises, for example stairwells, lift shafts and corridors in a block of flats.
What does the Duty Holder have to do to comply with the new legislation?
The new duty to manage requires the duty holder to take reasonable steps to find asbestos in the premises and assess the condition of these materials. The duty holder must:
- presume that materials do contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not;
- prepare a record of the location and condition of these materials and assess the risk from them;
- prepare and implement a plan to manage those risks; and
- provide information on the location and condition of the material to anyone who is liable to disturb it.
Who needs to know where Asbestos is?
The legislation requires that you (the Duty Holder) make information on the location and condition of the asbestos available to anyone liable to work on it or disturb it. Any employees involved in building maintenance work and any contractors working on the premises should know if the building contains or may contain asbestos. They should also be told where it is and that there are potential risks to their health if they disturb it.
Where might Asbestos be in my building?
Some types of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) are perfectly stable and do not present a hazard to health. However, you may be surprised to know that asbestos can be found in the following common construction materials:
- Artex ceilings
- Suspended ceiling tiles
- Old electrical switch gear
- Thermal insulation products Thermoplastic floor tiles
- Bituminous products Night storage heaters
What sort of survey must I use?
There are three types of survey to be used under different circumstances:
- Type 1
This is the bare minimum needed to comply with the Regulations. It involves a visual inspection only of all accessible areas of the premises and scoring construction materials (and plant & machinery) on a "worst case" basis, when they can not be visually identified. - Type 2
This involves the same visual inspection, but, in addition, the testing of suspect materials to prove the presence of Asbestos fibres. This does, of course, release areas found not to contain Asbestos from the restrictions otherwise placed on them by a Type 1 Survey. - Type 3
This type of survey is required for all demolition contracts and major refurbishment projects and includes destructive testing of all suspect areas and materials, including any that are normally inaccessible, to determine type and quantity of any Asbestos present.
Where can I find more information?
We are continuing to support HSE, by publicising their Asbestos Awareness Campaign. This is part of our remit to improve health & safety in the construction industry with audited management information systems.
The Asbestos Awareness Campaign part of our site has links to much more information from the HSE and others to help you with the new Duty to Manage.
