All employers have a duty to provide a safe place of work, both for their employees, but also others (visitors, the general public, etc). S. 2 of HSWA 1974.

In practical terms, this entails making someone responsible for ensuring that the premises are “safe”. The common term in asbestos for that person is the dutyholder.

To begin to make the premises “safe”, the dutyholder has to have some idea about whether there are any risks present on their premises. With regard to asbestos, a good starting point is to have an asbestos survey done.

Once an asbestos survey has been carried out, the dutyholder can then begin to make and implement plans and systems to ensure the ongoing safety of the occupants, while they are on the premises. In short, they will be managing their risk. This is usually achieved by producing an asbestos management plan.

The asbestos management plan is a formal record of the state of all known asbestos on a site, with both control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk from each occurrence, and perhaps a longer-term plan to remove the risk altogether, by having the asbestos removed in a properly-controlled manner.

Being able to demonstrate that you know and can quantify your risks with regard to asbestos could reduce current and future costs and liabilities.

Ultimately, by removing the asbestos from a premises, you could increase its value (by removing the liability associated with its presence).

If you are the duty holder for a commercial property and you do not have an asbestos survey, you are liable to prosecution.

Failure to comply with the new asbestos regulations may also mean that a prohibition notice is placed on your buildings - effectively closing you down until your workplace is confirmed safe.

Go to next question: Can I survey the building for Asbestos myself?

Go to previous question: Why do we need an Asbestos Survey?

The main reason you need an Asbestos Survey is to protect any person, especially workmen, from accidentally exposing themselves and others to asbestos fibres.

If your building was constructed or altered prior to 2000, your building may contain one or more of some 3000 products manufactured that contain asbestos and therefore you will need a survey.

Within the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 it clearly creates a “Duty to manage asbestos” and to manage asbestos you need to know you have got it.  The asbestos survey identifies asbestos and assists the duty holder in the compilation of the management plan.

If you allow persons to disturb asbestos in your property unknowingly you are breaking the law as well as putting the health of those persons and your employees at risk.

There are many documented instances of builders, plumbers and electricians drilling through innocuous panels, or cutting into pipe insulation, only to discover later that a potentially lethal mistake has been made.

The 'Duty to Manage' (Regulation 4) in the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, is specifically designed to tighten up the law to reduce the risk from asbestos materials present in buildings.

The reason why this is done is to help prevent the loss of lives through lack of knowledge on the whereabouts and condition of asbestos-containing materials.

There are two main types of survey  

The first and most common is the asbestos management survey. This is carried out to identify asbestos, carry out a material risk assessment for each positive occurrence, complete a priority assessment if required and produce an asbestos register in an easy to read format thus helping the duty holder to fulfil their duties.  

The second type is the pre-demolition survey which is done in order to identify any asbestos containing materials so that they may be removed prior to the building being demolished.

There is a variation of the pre-demolition survey and this is called a refurbishment survey.  As the name suggests this is done to a building or specific area of a building prior to any works being undertaken. This is so that any effected asbestos can be removed. 

Go to the next question: What if i dont have an asbestos survey carried out?

Go to Previous Question: Why is Asbestos dangerous ?

When asbestos is in good condition, it poses no significant health risks. In fact one bright spark in America calculated that a person sitting in a building with properly maintained asbestos is more likely to be struck by lightning than to contract an asbestos-related disease.

The danger arises when asbestos is damaged - through bumps and scrapes sustained by any building over the years - or destroyed by cutting, drilling or ripping

When disturbed, asbestos releases airborne fibres which can kill. Individuals working in the building and maintenance trades e.g. builders, plumbers, electricians, cable installers are at greatest risk from asbestos. These people are most likely to work on a building without sufficient knowledge as to where asbestos might be and how to avoid it.

Asbestos fibres are very narrow and are therefore easily breathed in. They do not dissolve and will remain in the lungs for a very long time, perhaps indefinitely. 

All asbestos types are dangerous however some are more hazardous than others.

Brown and blue asbestos have strong stiff fibres. They become easily lodged in the lungs, and our immune systems are unable to break them down. White asbestos has a different structure. This makes it softer and more flexible, making it less hazardous. 

It is rapidly cleared from the lungs but prolonged exposure does cause lung cancer and other conditions. 

Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause several conditions, but the three most well known and most problematic are asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestosis is a disease of the lungs caused by relatively heavy and regular exposure. It is incurable and can result in death at an early age. It causes scarring of the spongy lung tissue, which restricts lung function, resulting in increasing shortness of breath and a dry cough. 

Asbestosis also increases the risk of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is most commonly known to be caused by tobacco smoke but can also be caused by asbestos. Smoking multiplies the risk of lung cancer to asbestosis sufferers. For example, someone who smokes 20 cigarettes a day is 15 times more likely to suffer from lung cancer than a non-smoker is. If the smoker also works with asbestos, this risk is tripled to 75 times more likely to suffer lung cancer than a non-smoking, non-asbestos worker.

Mesothelioma can be caused by all kinds of asbestos dust, but particularly blue asbestos. It is a cancer of the lining of the lung, or much less commonly the lining of the abdominal cavity, or of the heart. There is a high instance of this disease in asbestos workers, and a much smaller dose is required due to the fibre structure. It may also affect those who washed dust-laden clothing, or who lived close to an asbestos factory. It is incurable and causes a great deal of pain and suffering, with those affected dying approximately 2 years from diagnosis. 

There is a long latent period of around 20 to 40 years between exposure and development of the disease, hence the reason that new cases are still coming to light. The annual total number of mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain is estimated to peak at around 2500 deaths, some time between the years 2011 and 2015.

Go to next question: Why do we need an Asbestos Survey?   

Go to Previous Question: What is Asbestos?

 

Asbestos is the common name for a variety of naturally occurring silicate minerals that are fibrous in structure. This mineral occurs in many parts of the world, the main sites of commercial asbestos mining and production are;

  • Canada,
  • the Soviet Union, and;
  • Southern Africa.

Asbestos containing rock is crushed and milled at the mining site to produce raw asbestos of various grades.

There are six types of asbestos which fall into two category’s of fibre type. The two asbestos fibre types are Serpentine (curly, wavy fibres) and Amphibole (needle like fibres).

Of the six types of asbestos the three most commercially utilised are;

  • Chrysotile (White – Serpentine),
  • Amosite (Brown – Amphibole), and;
  • Crocidolite (Blue – Amphibole).

The other three types of asbestos are amphibole fibre types and are far less common. These are:

  • Anthophylite,
  • Tremolite, and;
  • Actinolite.

Asbestos strands can be split into smaller and thinner fibres during disturbance. Asbestos mined ore will initially divide into visible strands, fibre bundles, and individual fibres.

This splitting can continue on to minute levels of microscopic size. This process is unique to asbestos and is why airborne asbestos is such a problem.

Asbestos fibres can become so small that they remain airborne longer and pass undetected by the respiratory dust defences.

Asbestos would be a great building product were it not for the huge health risks. It has a high resistance to heat and many chemicals and was the building material of choice in the 1960's to the mid '70's in the UK - before the potentially deadly properties of asbestos were known.

Asbestos fibre is mechanically strong and highly resistant to heat and chemical attack. Because of its fibrous nature asbestos fibre can be woven into fabrics and used as reinforcement for cement and plastics.

Asbestos was extensively used as a building material in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s. It was used for a variety of purposes and was ideal for fireproofing and insulation. Any building built before 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc) can contain asbestos.

During this time asbestos was used for a number of jobs such as; floor tiles, pipe lagging, textured paints (Artex), internal partitions, central heating systems, roofs, gutters, rainwater downpipes, cement cladding, fire protection to structural steelwork, fuse boxes, bitumen products and many, many more.

Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when materials are damaged.

Go to Next Question: What does Asbestos look like   Go to Previous : FAQs

The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 apply to all work with asbestos in the UK. The accompanying Approved Code of Practice L143 describes in detail how such work should be carried out. The Regulations state that whilst work with asbestos is a licensed activity, certain low risk work can be undertaken without a licence, although some of that work still requires a notification to be made.

The most important point that the Regulations require is appropriate asbestos training for the type of work anticipated. If you or your employees are going to undertake work with asbestos you must have appropriate recent training. If you are going to employee someone to work on your asbestos you need to determine that they have such training.

Even if persons are not intending to work with asbestos but are going to work on the fabric of your building then they should have UKATA Asbestos Awareness Training to help them recognise possible asbestos and to know how to respond if they accidentally disturb what maybe asbestos.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require that every non-domestic property should have an Asbestos Management Plan that details how the person responsible for the maintenance of a building, the Duty Holder, will proceed to ensure that persons are not exposed to asbestos.

We can help you comply with the Regulations by:

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Welcome to the Bradley Environmental Asbestos Consultant FAQ Page. Below are a number of asbestos-related questions that we often get asked:

  1. What is asbestos?
  2. What does asbestos look like?
  3. Where can you find asbestos?
  4. Why is asbestos dangerous?
  5. Why do we need an asbestos survey?
  6. What if I don't have an asbestos survey carried out?
  7. Can I survey the building for asbestos myself?
  8. How much will an asbestos survey cost?
  9. Will I be able to understand the asbestos report?
  10. Are all asbestos surveys the same?
  11. When did the new asbestos regulations come into effect?
  12. What shall I do about an asbestos management plan?
  13. What asbestos training courses are available to me?

OK, I'm interested what do I do next?

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Using an independent, experienced and knowledgeable Project Manager from Bradley Environmental Consultants will help to ensure that your asbestos removal and abatement projects are completed to specification, on time, within budget and to the highest standards.

Our project teams can manage all types and sizes of asbestos works, whether complicated or small and simple. It is essential that your project is completed in the correct manner, not only so that the works are finished on time and to the correct standard but to ensure that the works are completed with the appropriate safeguards.

Our Asbestos Removal and Project Management Services are provided across the UK from our offices in Birmingham, Wakefield, Blackpool, Livingston and St Asaph (North Wales).

Projects that involve potentially working with asbestos are often out of the comfort zone of the client and main works that are being undertaken. Whether it is the refurbishment of an area, demolition or a stand-alone piece of work, the path to full compliance with asbestos legislation can be daunting. Understanding and undertaking your legal duties can be an equally daunting task, let alone the small matter of getting the right job done for the right price in the right time scale.

Asbestos Removal Project Management can save you time and money in addition to making sure you are fully compliant with the control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Asbestos - where does it hide?

What does our Asbestos Project Management Service include?

Independent Asbestos Project Consultation & Advice

Bradley Environmental doesn't undertake asbestos removal works inhouse, which unlike other companies, allows us to give you totally independent, impartial advice and assistance for any asbestos project, no matter how big and complicated.

Dedicated Experience & Qualified Project Manager

From start to finish, we provide a dedicated Asbestos Project Manager to be your main point of contact to guide you through your asbestos removal project.

Detailed Works Specification

Your Asbestos project Manager can provide a number of support services including; writing specification documents for asbestos removal, assist with the procurement of Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC), manage the asbestos removal process, and audit contractors and works conducted.

Approved Asbestos Contractors Framework

Bradley Environmental has its own approved independent licensed asbestos removal contractors framework. We only use tried and tested companies who meet our stringent requirements, this means that we work with some of the UKs leading licensed asbestos remedial contractors.

Multiple Cost Comparison

Our approved asbestos contractors provide their best timescales and costs to complete the works. We vet and scrutinise the quotations to ensure everything has been allowed for. We will advise who, in our opinion, is best placed to complete your project on time and within budget.

Full Time Air Monitoring

We will provide full time asbestos air monitoring throughout the asbestos removal project. Asbestos air monitoring assesses the concentration of airborne asbestos fibre levels that may have been generated by the asbestos removal process affecting the surrounding air.

We offer a full range of asbestos air testing services that can be performed on site, including:

  • Four stage asbestos clearance testing to HSG 248 (The Analysts Guide) including work area/enclosure visual examination, clearance indicator air test, reassurance air testing and decontamination unit reassurance air testing as required
  • Reassurance air testing to HSG 248 (The Analysts Guide)
  • Leak air testing to HSG 248 (The Analysts Guide)
  • Background air testing to HSG 248 (The Analysts Guide)
  • Personal air testing to HSG 248 (The Analysts Guide)
  • Boundary monitoring during remediation of external ground contamination to HSG 248 (The Analysts Guide)

Project Completion Pack

Once your project has been completed, we will provide a completion pack which acts as the project health and safety file, including all records pertaining to the asbestos removal work. We can even update the asbestos survey report and asbestos register to reflect the works that have been carried out. The project completion pack is usually delivered within 10 days of project completion.

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The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require every non-domestic property to have an Asbestos Management Plan. This document is intended to explain how the person responsible for the building, the Duty Holder, intends to manage the asbestos present to prevent persons being exposed to the asbestos.

Unfortunately this is not a one-off job for it will be required for as long as you have asbestos-containing materials present in your buildings.

The Asbestos Management Plan should be a simple document that addresses:

If you have a small building with limited amounts of asbestos containing materials that are in good condition the task can be as simple as the list describes. If you have more of a problem than this you may need some help.

We can help by:

  • Learning what you have in place already and how your systems and responsibilities are arranged.
  • Writing your Asbestos Management Plan.
  • Reviewing your Asbestos Management Plan to ensure it is kept up to date
  • Auditing your Asbestos Management Plan to ensure it is working
  • Provide Asbestos Training

OK, I'm interested what do I do next?

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TEAMS is our asbestos management system, built on the web, provided freely when you use our range of asbestos management services.

Unlike most asbestos management systems, TEAMS is hosted online. You can track your asbestos risks from cradle to grave, access your data and survey reports, photographs of items and building plans all in real-time. It’s simple, accurate and transparent.

TEAMS offers everything from interactive live asbestos survey reports of your sites through to air test certificates and bulk analysis reports in one convenient client-branded area. With specially designed screens, clear navigation and extensive search and filtering tools, the client, assigned partners or contractors can access the information they need anytime and anywhere.

Benefits of TEAMS:

Free to use for our asbestos clients

Zero running costs and unlimited user licences.

Compliance overview

Specifically crafted graphs pull together key information from around the portal to provide a high level viewing panel for clients concerned with managing risk and compliance.

Manage assets by risk

Included are 'quick links' to the latest survey report for each individual site, latest bulk sample reports, links to the interactive survey views, as well as access to any additional 3rd party site documents stored on the portal.

Real-time project reporting and breakdown

As work moves through TEAMS, from scheduling to onsite work, from analysis through to final approval, a 'status' is updated automatically against each site letting your clients see immediately at what stage in the process each individual site is currently at.

Survey explorer

Online access to survey reports and air test certificates is a useful facility, but only goes so far when specific information from within the report is required. The TEAMS web portal addresses this client need by offering interactive options and tools alongside the standard static reports.

Opening the survey reports in interactive mode exposes the live information from within the report in an expandable hierarchy:

  • building-by-building
  • floor-by-floor
  • room-by-room

As well as by location, you can also navigate surveys by risk and by recommended action.

Portal activity logging and auditing

Whenever clients or clients' sub-contractors access the portal, open reports and view information, these 'events' and related activity are tracked and recorded.

This allows you to interrogate this log to confirm the relevent staff have read (or not read) asbestos reports before attending sites or starting site works.

Extensive search and filtering tools

Data stored by address, UPRN or project name.

Easy exports

Simple, fast, easy data export options.

Ensure compliance

In addition to the above, TEAMS also allows the client to manage and store electronic documents that are associated with on-going Health and Safety complaince such as Legionella Risk Assessments and Fire Safety Risk Assessments.

OK, I'm interested what do I do next?

Our TEAMS asbestos management system is available to all our clients as a FREE service with our asbestos management services..

For more information on the services we provide, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or use the Contact Us box below.

“Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK ” - Health and Safety Executive.

What is the duty?

The duty to manage asbestos is contained in regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012. It requires the person who has the duty (ie the 'dutyholder') to:

  • Take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in
  • Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
  • Make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos- containing materials - or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos
  • Assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified
  • Prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed
  • Take the necessary steps to put the plan into action
  • Periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date
  • Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them

Who has the duty?

The dutyholder is the owner of the non-domestic premises or the person or organisation that has clear responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises.

What premises are affected?

The duty to manage covers all non-domestic premises. Such premises include all industrial, commercial and public buildings such as factories, warehouses, offices, shops, hospitals and schools.

Non-domestic premises also include those 'common' areas of certain domestic premises, such as purpose-built flats or houses converted into flats. The common areas of these premises include foyers, corridors, lifts and lift-shafts, staircases, roof spaces, gardens, yards, outhouses and garages - but would not include the individual flats themselves. Common areas do not include rooms within a private residence that are shared by more than one household, such as bathrooms, kitchens etc. in shared houses and communal dining rooms and lounges in sheltered accommodation.

Five Steps to Asbestos Compliane

1. Review your documentation, so you get to finally understand exactly where you currently are at with asbestos management.

2. Indentify your asbestos containing materials with an asbestos management survey, you get to see the exact results and the asbestos risks facing your business.

3. Control the risks. Look at what you're already doing, and the controls you already have in place. Ask yourself:

  • Can I get rid of asbestos materials altogether?
  • If not, how can I control the risks so that exposure is unlikely?
  • What further action can I take to control the risks?
  • Do I need an asbestos management plan?
  • Who needs to be aware of my asbestos materials?

4. Education and knowledge is key.  Relevant asbestos training such as awareness or duty to manage should be rolled out to everyone and this again reduces your risk and exposure.

5. Carry out periodic reviews, re-inspections and check-ups. Decide what you will do, write it down (management plan). This is where you can finally prove everything is working and the weight can be finally lifted off of your shoulders.

What can we do for the Duty Holder:

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For more information on the Duty to Manage Asbestos services we provide, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or use the Contact Us box below.

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