Every time we hear news of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) we do feel we need to stress that asbestos is considered safe when it is undisturbed. Media hype can be misleading so we want to address some questions we have been asked many times.
Q: If asbestos is in my office building, should I be worried?
All buildings built before 2000 have the potential to have ACMs present. However, they do not always need to be removed if they are not likely to be damaged or disturbed. If your asbestos management survey has confirmed that they are in good condition, we would advise that they are best left in place and safely managed through the live asbestos management plan.
Q: When is my health at risk from asbestos?
Health risks associated with asbestos arise if you inhale the airborne fibres - if they stay embedded within the material they aren’t able to be inhaled and can usually be safely managed in-situ.
Q: So I’m sitting at work, back in the office. Who is responsible for managing asbestos - if discovered to be in situ?
People responsible for non-domestic premises, built before 2000 must know about Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) on their premises. It is a requirement to know, the location of the asbestos, its condition and how to manage it. Each building must have an asbestos register and live management plan readily available. If you’re concerned, ask for confirmation from the owner of the premises
Q: What’s the process if asbestos is discovered?
When the information is added to the live asbestos management plan, this, together with the asbestos policy should detail the process that has been put in place by the duty holder for your building. Options usually are to manage (in-situ), encapsulate or remove, or sometimes a mix of all 3 can be required throughout a building.
Q: My landlord has just informed me that builders will be round next week to carry out some ceiling repairs. Should I be concerned?
Any reputable builder who is working on either a domestic or non-domestic premises built before 2000, should be aware of the duty of care to ensure that any potential ACMs are not disturbed.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, contractors have a duty to protect themselves and others from asbestos exposure. As part of planning the work, your landlord should have had an asbestos pre-refurbishment survey carried out, to confirm that it is safe to proceed.
Any findings are added to the live asbestos management plan. If ACMs have been identified, your landlord should plan the work with the builder, who should have received a copy of the live management plan, prior to planning their work.
In a perfect world, any remediation/removal work required should be carried out and detailed on the live asbestos management plan, prior to the builder starting work, so they know it is safe to proceed.
Additionally, anyone working on a pre-2000 building must have asbestos awareness training, as a minimum, in case hidden ACMs come to light during their work, so they know to stop and seal the work area, until further investigation has been carried out.
If you’re thinking you may need some help and guidance, don't hesitate to get in touch via our Enquiry form or call us on 01634 864550 and let us help you keep everyone safe.
Asbestos regulations are complex, but with our help, managing it isn’t complicated!