Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s. Although some of this material has been removed over the years, there are many thousands of tonnes of asbestos still present in buildings. It is estimated that over half a million non-domestic premises currently have some form of asbestos in them. Repair and removal work involving asbestos is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Working with asbestos has long been known as a high risk activity with the potential to cause lung cancer and other associated conditions. The delay between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be as much as 40 years.
Work on asbestos is now closely regulated under The Control Of Asbestos Regulations 2006
L 143 Work with materials containing asbestos Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, Approved Code of Practice and Guidance
L 127 The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises, Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
MDHS 100 Surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos containing materials
You must not carry out any work with asbestos unless you hold a licence under this regulation or else (see r3):
- the exposure of employees to asbestos is sporadic and of low intensity
- it is clear from the risk assessment that the exposure of any employee to asbestos will not exceed the control limit; and
the work involves-
- short, non-continuous maintenance activities
- removal of materials in which the asbestos fibres are firmly linked in a matrix
- encapsulation or sealing of asbestos containing materials which are in good condition, or
- air monitoring and control, and the collection and analysis of samples to ascertain whether a specific material contains asbestos.
Sporadic and of low intensity effectively means that the concentration of asbestos in the atmosphere (when measured in accordance with the 1997 WHO recommended method or by a method giving equivalent results to that method approved by the Health and Safety Commission, HSC) is less than and will not exceed the concentration approved in relation to a specified reference period under this regulation by the HSC.
HSE have a full list of asbestos licence holders and a list of scaffolding licence holders
Work involving asbestos in buildings
When planning any work to do with the fabric of non-domestic premises, especially in buildings constructed before the mid-1980s, you should proceed on the assumption that asbestos may be present. HSE's INDG223 A short guide to managing asbestos in premises.
The following steps should be taken to ensure safe operation:
- find out if there is asbestos in the premises, its amount and what condition it is in;
- presume that materials contain asbestos, unless you have strong evidence that they do not;
- make and keep up to date a record of the location and condition of the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) or presumed ACMs in your premises;
- assess the risk from the material;
- prepare a plan that sets out in detail how you are going to manage the risk from this material;
- take the steps needed to put your plan into action;
- review and monitor your plan and the arrangements made to put it in place; and
- provide information on the location and condition of the material to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb it.
It is recommended that while having regard to the exceptions in r3 work on buildings that involves possible working with asbestos should be completed by a licensed contractor.