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Following a second consultation exercise
carried out by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) last year,
changes to the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 (SI
1987/2115) (the Regulations) will come into force later this year.
Although the importation, supply and use of asbestos has been illegal
in the UK since November 1999, many buildings (particularly those
constructed in the 1960s and 1970s) still contain asbestos. Typical uses
include gutters and pipes, fire proofing, ceiling and floor tiles,
lagging for boilers and pipes, and insulating boards.
New legislation requires that all non-domestic buildings
be surveyed for asbestos content, condition, and
the risk that it poses to inhabitants. Employers will be required to manage the
risk from asbestos by:-
 | Finding out if there is asbestos in their
premises, its amount and its condition |
| Presuming materials contain asbestos unless
they have strong evidence to prove otherwise. |
| Producing and keeping up to date an
"Asbestos Register", i.e. a record of the location
and condition of the ACM,s (Asbestos containing material). |
| Assessing the risk from the material. |
| Preparing a Plan that sets out in detail how
the risk from the material will be managed. The plan will need
to be reviewed and monitored regularly. |
| Providing information on the location and
condition of the ACM`s to anyone who is liable to work on or
disturb the asbestos. |
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