If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for a workplace which may contain asbestos you have a duty to manage that risk. You need to be able to identify, assess and manage any asbestos materials in your premises.

Asbestos – The dangers
Breathing in air containing asbestos dust can lead to asbestos related diseases, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest lining. Asbestos is only a risk if asbestos fibres are released into the air and breathed in.

The number of deaths from asbestos related diseases is expected to rise for the next ten years from the current estimate of 3,000 per year. There is no cure for asbestos-related diseases.

There is usually a long delay between first exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease. This can vary from 15 to 60 years.

There are three main types of asbestos still found in premises. These are commonly called ‘blue asbestos' (crocidolite), ‘brown asbestos’ (amosite) and ‘white asbestos’ (chrysotile). All of them are dangerous but blue and brown asbestos are more hazardous than white.

In general the more asbestos dust inhaled, the greater the risk to health although it is now thought possible that repeated low level exposure such as could occur during routine repair work, may also lead to asbestos induced cancers.

So electricians, plumbers, building maintenance workers, shop fitters and carpenters may still be at risk when carrying out refurbishment, repairs etc. on buildings which contain asbestos.

Where is asbestos found in buildings?
You are most likely to come across asbestos in the following materials.

• Sprayed loose packed asbestos e.g. as fire breaks in ceiling voids
• Sprayed coatings and laggings e.g. insulation of pipe work
• Sprayed asbestos and cement mixture for fire protection
• Insulating boards for fire protection, thermal insulation
• Some ceiling tiles
• Asbestos cement products for roofing and wall cladding
• Certain textured coatings

In general, the materials, which contain a high percentage of asbestos, are more easily damaged and the above list is roughly in order of ease of fibre release.

The duty to manage asbestos
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 (look for UKAS or NAMAS accredited companies under ‘Laboratories’ or Analytical Research Chemists’ in Yellow Pages).

Assessing the condition of asbestos materials involves considering the risk of fibres being released into the air:

• Is the material being or likely to be disturbed?
• Is the surface damaged, frayed or scratched?
• Are surface sealants peeling or breaking off?
• Is the material becoming detached from its base?
• Are protective coverings missing?
• Is there asbestos dust or debris in the immediate surrounding area?

Deciding what to do depends on the condition and type of material:

1. If the material is in good condition and not likely to be damaged or 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 or occupier of the premises must be in position to exercise control over access by workers, contractors etc. and be able and prepared to exercise that control.
   
2. If the material is in poor condition or likely to be damaged or disturbed then you need to repair, seal, enclose or remove the material.

Options for action:

Asbestos left in place
If it is in good condition establish an asbestos management system i.e. keep records and or a register of where the asbestos is; label materials with warnings signs or colour coding so that those who need to know are alerted to its presence.

Damaged materials can be repaired and either sealed or enclosed to prevent further damage. You will still need to label such areas as part of your asbestos management system.

Removal of asbestos
This should take place where dust is release is likely, repair or protection is not practicable or where the material is likely to be disturbed during routine maintenance work.

Remember that work on asbestos insulation and lagging (including sealing and removal) must normally be done only by a contractor licensed by the HSE.

Disposal of asbestos
Asbestos waste should be double bagged in heavy-duty polythene bags and clearly labelled with the prescribed label before it is transported to an appropriately licensed disposal site.

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.

More information can be obtained form Booklet L127 ‘The Management of Asbestos in Non-Domestic Premises (ISBN 07176 23823) available from HSE Books.

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.

What should you tell your workers or contractors
Where employees or contractors are liable to come into contact with asbestos or suspected asbestos material you should ensure that 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.

Precautions to be taken when working on materials containing asbestos:

1. Never strip out asbestos insulation, the law requires a specialist contractor to do this to strict rules.
2. Where minor work on materials containing asbestos e.g. asbestos cement is to be carried out by workers or contractors make sure they know they are working with asbestos and what precautions they should take e.g.
   • Keep all unnecessary personnel out of the work area
   • Take care not to create dust
   • Keep material wet where ever possible
   • Wear a suitable respirator and protective clothing
   • Clean up with a type ‘H’ vacuum cleaner
   • Do not break up large pieces of asbestos material
   • Do not use power tools
   • Do not expose unprotected workers
   • Do not take protective clothing home to wash

Checklist for businesses:

1. Do you know or suspect if any asbestos materials are present in your workplace?
2. Have you checked what condition the material is in?
3. Have you assumed that materials contain asbestos unless you have strong evidence that it does not.
4. Have you examined the original building plans or asked the owner (or architects, if they are known) to establish if and where any asbestos materials were used?
5. If you are planning to have maintenance or refurbishment of the building carried out or the material is in poor condition, you may wish to arrange for the material to be sampled and identified by a specialist.
6. Have you recorded the location and condition of asbestos materials and suspected asbestos material on a plan or drawing?
7. Have you carried out an assessment of the condition and if the location means that it is likely to be disturbed of any asbestos or suspected asbestos material?
8. Have you introduced a plan to manage any risks including periodic inspection of the condition of any asbestos or suspected asbestos material? We suggest you produce and keep a copy of the plan to record what actions you take and when.

Further Information
For further advice please refer to the HSE Website (this page opens in a new window) or the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (this page opens in a new window).

For information regarding asbestos products and asbestos content see the Asbestos Information Centre website (this page opens in a new window).

Managing asbestos in premises INDG223(rev3) is available free from HSE books (this page opens in a new window).

Environmental Health and Licensing Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444371
Fax: 01483 444546
Email: environmentalhealth@guildford.gov.uk