Asbestos

Thousands of tonnes of asbestos were used in buildings in the past and much of it is still in place. It will only pose a risk to health if asbestos fibres are released into the air. Asbestos related diseases are thought to kill at least 3,000 people a year, 25% have once worked in the building or maintenance trades. This figure is expected to rise to 10,000 by 2011.

These figures are a clear sign of what happens when risk is not managed.

If you own, manage or have responsibilities for a workplace building which may contain asbestos, it is your duty to manage that risk. Asbestos is likely to be present if the building was constructed or refurbished between 1950-1980 and particularly if it has a steel frame and/or boilers with thermal insulation.

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 introduces a specific duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. The duty to manage requires those in control of premises to:

• Identify materials that are likely to contain asbestos.
• Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence to suggest that they do not.
• Make and keep an up to date register of the location and condition of asbestos containing materials or presumed asbestos containing materials in the premises.
• Assess the risk of the likelihood of anyone being exposed to fibres from these materials.
• Prepare a plan setting out how the risks from the materials are to be managed.
• Take the necessary steps to put the plan into action.
• Review and monitor the plan periodically.
• Provide information on the location and the condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.

Lack of understanding of the requirements of the Legislation can prove expensive. With Regulations becoming ever more complex, expert advice can often prove a cost-effective solution to managing asbestos.

Enquin Environmental was formed in response to the demand for independent professional advice in the management of asbestos in buildings. Our consultancy has experts in project management, environmental risk management, construction engineering and cost control.

We can help advise you on the following, enabling you to meet your duty in the management of asbestos:

• Decision on the type of survey/inspection.
• Identification of who should carry out the work.
• Determine priorities in terms of which buildings first.
• Details of how information is to be recorded and retrieved.
• Consideration of how maintenance will be controlled.