Asbestos Safety Regulations


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Asbestos

Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, as amended in 1998 and the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992, as amended in 1999

Asbestos is now recognized as a highly hazardous substance but has been widely used in buildings, as lagging on pipe work and plant, as insulation and fireproofing and in roofing materials. It has also been used as sprayed coating on structural steelwork to insulate against fire and noise.

All kinds of asbestos are hazardous if disturbed. The danger arises when asbestos fibres become airborne and are breathed in. It causes major lung and other diseases and cancer.

If you are responsible for the building maintenance or repair work you should find out if there is any asbestos. If you cannot do this, presume that it exists and then manage the risks that arise in accordance with the Regulations and the guidance issued by the HSE.

Let anyone affected by the asbestos know where it is, ensure that is regularly inspected and if it begins to deteriorate you may need to have it removed.

No one should be engaged to work on or with asbestos unless properly trained, qualified and licensed.

Asbestos has its own regulations:

All work with asbestos and the precautions needed are covered by the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.

The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, as amended in 1998, prohibit contractors working on asbestos insulation, asbestos board or asbestos coating unless they have a license issued by HSE. This does not include asbestos cement sheets.

The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992, as amended in 1999, prohibit the import, supply (including second-hand articles) and use of all types of asbestos.

Products containing asbestos must now carry a warning label.