The regulatory regime for controlling risks from asbestos

Anyone responsible for the maintenance of non-domestic premises has a duty to manage the asbestos in them, to protect anyone using or working in the premises from the risks to health caused by exposure to asbestos (see below: The duty to manage). If a duty-holder wants building or maintenance work done on the premises or on plant or equipment that may contain asbestos, it must identify where it is, its type and condition, assess the risks and manage and control those risks.

There is still a control limit for asbestos, and it remains 0.1 fibres per cubic centimetre (f/cm3 ) of air measured over four hours for all types of asbestos (Regulation 2). The HSE emphasises that the control limit is not a “safe” level, and that exposure from work activities involving asbestos must be reduced as far below the control limit as possible. Respiratory protective equipment must be ignored when assessing whether the control limit has been reached.

Training is mandatory for anyone liable to be exposed to asbestos fibres at work. This includes maintenance workers and others who may come into contact with or disturb asbestos, such as cable installers, as well as those involved in asbestos removal work.