Asbestos – Your questions answered

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre known for its strength and resistance to heat and chemicals. Before being banned, it was commonly used for insulation, fireproofing, and as a component in other building materials. 

There are three main types of asbestos: 

• Chrysotile (white asbestos) 
• Amosite (brown asbestos) 
• Crocidolite (blue asbestos)

Asbestos can be found in any building constructed or refurbished before the year 2000, as it was widely used in various construction materials. Identifying asbestos can be challenging, but some common areas where it is found include: 

• Between cavity walls 
• Ceiling tiles and roofs 
• Under floorboards 
• Heating systems around boilers or pipework 
• Panels below windows 

If you are unsure whether you have encountered asbestos, we strongly recommend conducting an asbestos survey by a competent person. 

The person responsible for managing asbestos is anyone who is responsible for protecting the health and wellbeing of individuals in a non-domestic premises. 

This can include; 

• building owner 
• landlord for the premises 
• or person or organisation with clear responsibility for the building’s maintenance or repair.

If any of the above applies to you, you should assess your own competence regarding asbestos. If you feel you need more training or guidance on working with asbestos, our health and safety experts are available to help. 

1. Update the asbestos register whenever you perform work on asbestos materials.
   • This documentation provides the results of an asbestos survey and contains information on the locations, condition, and amount of asbestos present.
   • The register is used to prevent exposure to Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) during renovations, demolitions, or maintenance works.
2. Check materials at least once a year to ensure they have not deteriorated.
3. Refer to your asbestos register and identify who will carry out these checks, when they will do so, and their qualifications, such as training.
4. Update your asbestos management plan and date it. Your plan should include;
   • The persons responsible.
   • Your asbestos register (including the locations of the ACM).
   • The frequency of monitoring the condition of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM).
   • How this information is shared with other contractors for works.
   • The preventative measure in place to prevent exposure and procedures in place should exposure occur.

Stop work!  

• Stop work and speak to the employer or the building owner if you suspect something may be asbestos, or if you think the work might need to be carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor. 

Follow the plan of work (or method statement) 

This is detailed information which ensure safe handling and removal of asbestos-containing materials. This includes; 

• Exactly what work is being carried out, when and how long it will last. 
• Location of the job. 
• What procedures will be followed to limit exposure to asbestos. 
• The PPE that will used for the works. 
• Protocol for decontamination and removal of asbestos waste. 
• The procedure in the event of an emergency. 

Don’t ignore other risks! 

1. Don’t be blinded by the presence of asbestos; make sure you take into account other risks such as work at height. 
2. In the event there is asbestos at height, ensure that all employees: 

• Follow the procedures within the asbestos plan of work. 
• Follow the normal procedures for working at height, including the correct training, presence of risk assessments and any PPE required to carry out the works at height.  

Use protective equipment 

A range of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn by workers to protect them from exposure to airborne asbestos fibres, including: 

• FFP3 disposable masks or a half-face respirator with a P3 filter, these must be tight fitting and worn properly. All employees wearing  either a disposable or half mask respirator must have received a face fit test. Face Fit testing will ensure that the equipment selected is suitable for the wearer
• Disposable coveralls suitable to the works being carried out, for example, European Standards Type 5 and Type 6. 
• Face and hand wipes. 
• Boot covers or gumboots. 

Clean up as you go 

• Thoroughly clean your work area and any tools or equipment you’re using as soon as possible. 

Double bag waste 

Make sure waste is double-bagged and is disposed of properly at a licensed tip. 

• You can check local regulations by searching here. 

Wash regularly  

We would always advise washing before breaks and before going home.  

• Employers should provide designated asbestos washing areas on-site for workers, ensuring these are separate from other wash areas. 

Notify the HSE 

Check whether the work should be notified to the HSE. 

Any licensable work must be notified to the appropriate authority using the ASB5 form at least 14 days before the work starts. 

• Work on sites such as factories and factory offices, civil engineering, construction and demolition sites, hospitals, research and development establishments, local government services and educational establishments plus more must be reported to HSE. 
• Retail, Hospitality, Entertainment venues plus more must be reported to local authorities. 
• Nuclear and Railway must be reported to Office of the Nuclear Regulator and Office of Rail and Road respectively.   

Provide correct training  

1. Provide employees the right level of information, instruction and training before starting work with asbestos. 
2. There are generally 3 levels to asbestos training to be able to handle and remove this includes; 

• Asbestos awareness. 
• Non-licensable work with asbestos including NNLW (non-licensed; notifiable non-licensed work). 
• Licensable work with asbestos. 

If you do not have someone within your business with the right level of experience, you may need to instruct an external contractor to carry out the work.