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Asbestos Regulation
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The legislation surrounding Asbestos and its management can be quite daunting.
AC Environmental Services is a company dealing with all aspects of asbestos management, both future and present, and as fully accredited asbestos consultants we are able to make sure that the rules of this asbestos regulation are met in full on your behalf.
In order to ensure that your premises are fully compliant with the aforementioned asbestos regulation we offer a range of services which include the undertaking of a complete and thorough asbestos survey which will identify the presence, location and extent of any asbestos containing materials which are on site before providing a comprehensive asbestos report alongside a suggested course of action should the materials be deemed hazardous to those who use the building on either a regular or infrequent basis.
AC Environmental Services can offer guidance to make sure that you adhere to the law, protecting your staff, visitors and the public in a world of growing compensation claims.
The main piece of legislation governing Asbestos is ‘The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006’, in particular Regulation 4, which came into force on 21st May 2004. A duty holder (a figure who is ultimately responsible for the maintenance of a property) has to manage the risks of asbestos in non-domestic properties and ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out as to whether asbestos is likely to be present in the premises.
Reasonable steps must be taken to consider the condition of any possible asbestos containing materials and an inspection must be carried out in all areas deemed to be reasonably accessible. If asbestos is found, a determination of the risks should be made and a written plan identifying those parts of the premises concerned should be prepared. Any such asbestos should be recurrently inspected and have its condition monitored. It should be properly maintained or where necessary, removed safely. This information should be provided to every person likely to disturb it and made available to the emergency services. The plan should be regularly reviewed and revised to ensure that the measures specified within the plan are implemented and recorded. An employer shall not carry out work that exposes or is liable to expose his employees to asbestos (Except in certain circumstances).
In essence, all commercial and industrial premises are required by law to maintain an asbestos register under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006. There are duties to prepare a risk assessment and to make written arrangements to protect those at risk. You will also need to make arrangements to deal with Asbestos during refurbishment
You will need to take reasonable steps to:
- Determine the location of Asbestos containing materials
- Presume that materials contain Asbestos unless there are good reasons not to
- Monitor the condition of asbestos containing materials and those presumed to contain asbestos
- Assess the risk of exposure
To do this you will need to:
- Keep and maintain an up to date record of the location, condition, maintenance and removal of all asbestos containing materials
- Repair, seal or remove any materials if there is a risk of exposure
- Inform anyone who is likely to disturb it about its location and condition
- Any work taking place must comply with CAR
Every employer must prevent the exposure of his employees to asbestos as far as is reasonably practicable.