The Deadly Legacy
Asbestos kills more people in the UK than any other work-related cause—around 5,000 deaths annually. Most victims were exposed decades ago when asbestos was widely used, but exposures continue today, particularly during refurbishment and demolition work.
If you work on buildings constructed before 2000, you must assume asbestos may be present until proven otherwise.
Understanding Asbestos
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction for its fire resistance, insulation properties, and strength. There are three main types:
- Chrysotile (white): Most commonly used, found in cement products, textiles, gaskets
- Amosite (brown): Used in insulation boards, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation
- Crocidolite (blue): Most dangerous type, used in spray coatings, pipe insulation
Where is Asbestos Found?
Common locations include:
- Pipe lagging and boiler insulation
- Sprayed coatings on structural steelwork
- Asbestos insulating board (AIB) in ceiling tiles, partitions, fire doors
- Asbestos cement products (roofing sheets, gutters, water tanks)
- Floor tiles and adhesives
- Textured coatings (Artex)
- Gaskets and rope seals
- Behind electrical panels
- Inside fire doors
Health Effects
Breathing asbestos fibres can cause:
- Mesothelioma: Aggressive cancer of the lung lining, always fatal
- Asbestos-related lung cancer: Same disease as smoking-related cancer
- Asbestosis: Scarring of the lungs causing breathing difficulty
- Pleural thickening: Thickening of lung lining
These diseases typically develop 15-60 years after exposure. There is no cure.
Legal Framework
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
CAR 2012 sets out duties for managing asbestos:
- Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises (Regulation 4)
- Requirements for work with asbestos (Regulations 5-17)
- Licensing requirements for high-risk work
- Training requirements
- Control measures
Three Categories of Asbestos Work
| Category | Examples | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed work | Removal of asbestos insulation, sprayed coatings, AIB | HSE licence required, notifiable |
| Notifiable non-licensed | Removal of textured coatings, cement roofing | Must notify HSE, medical surveillance |
| Non-licensed | Minor work with asbestos cement, encapsulation | Training and appropriate controls |
Surveys and Identification
Management Surveys
Used to locate asbestos that may be disturbed during normal occupation and maintenance. Required for all non-domestic buildings.
Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys
Required before any refurbishment or demolition work. Must be:
- Fully intrusive, accessing all areas to be worked on
- Carried out by a UKAS-accredited surveyor
- Specific to the planned work scope
- Completed before work begins
Presumption of Asbestos
If materials cannot be tested, you must presume they contain asbestos and act accordingly.
Managing Risks During Refurbishment
Before Work Starts
- Obtain asbestos register from building owner/client
- Commission refurbishment survey if not available
- Review survey and identify materials affected by your work
- Plan work to avoid disturbing ACMs where possible
- Arrange licensed removal if required
- Brief all workers on asbestos locations
During Work
- Mark asbestos locations clearly
- Monitor for unexpected materials
- Stop work immediately if suspected asbestos disturbed
- Follow emergency procedures if exposure occurs
- Update risk assessments for changing conditions
Emergency Procedures
If you suspect you've disturbed asbestos:
- Stop work immediately
- Clear the area and prevent access
- Keep people out who aren't essential
- Don't try to clean up—you'll spread contamination
- Remove contaminated clothing carefully, bag it
- Shower if available
- Notify your supervisor/employer
- Arrange for professional assessment and cleaning
- Record the incident
Training Requirements
Anyone who might encounter asbestos needs training:
Asbestos Awareness Training
Required for anyone whose work could foreseeably disturb asbestos or who may come into contact with it. Covers:
- Properties of asbestos and health effects
- Types and uses of asbestos
- How to recognise asbestos
- What to do if you encounter it
- Emergency procedures
Non-Licensed Work Training
For those carrying out non-licensed asbestos work. Covers awareness plus:
- Risk assessment
- Control measures
- Safe work methods
- Decontamination procedures
- Waste disposal
Documentation Requirements
Maintain records of:
- Asbestos survey reports
- Asbestos register
- Asbestos management plan
- Training certificates for all workers
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Air monitoring results (if applicable)
- Waste consignment notes
- Incident reports
Client and Principal Contractor Duties
As a subcontractor, ensure clients and principal contractors fulfil their duties:
- Provide pre-construction information including asbestos survey
- Confirm survey is appropriate for your work scope
- Arrange licensed removal before your work if needed
- Provide site-specific asbestos information in induction
Common Mistakes
- Assuming post-2000 buildings are asbestos-free (late use occurred)
- Relying on management surveys for refurbishment work
- Failing to check behind surfaces, in voids, etc.
- Not updating risk assessments when scope changes
- Inadequate training for the work being done
- Disturbing materials without proper precautions
Conclusion
Asbestos management requires rigorous processes and zero complacency. Every refurbishment project needs a proper survey, competent assessment of the findings, and appropriate precautions for any work that might disturb asbestos-containing materials.
When you generate RAMS with DocGen, include information about known asbestos on the site. But remember—the AI can't see what's behind walls and in voids. Professional surveys and specialist asbestos contractors are essential.