Guide to Asbestos in the Workplace

Statistics from UKATA, (United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association) have shown that asbestos is the UK’s biggest workplace killer. More people die from an asbestos-related disease than any other workplace related exposure, so it’s absolutely crucial that all businesses ensure their place of work is safe and effectively managing any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Our experienced team of asbestos specialists at Casa Environmental have put together this guide to explain everything you need to know about asbestos in the workplace. Here you can find out the risks of asbestos exposure, what your responsibilities are, the places where asbestos may be found, and how you can safely manage and control it.

Workplace Asbestos Exposure

Any office, shop, factory or other building built or refurbished before the year 2000 could potentially contain asbestos. Before it was known to cause fatal diseases the construction industry used asbestos extensively. It was a cheap and readily available material that offered excellent insulation and fireproofing properties making it an ideal choice for all sorts of building projects. Although it has been illegal to use asbestos in the UK since 1999 it is likely that a lot of the buildings and workplaces built beforehand still contain the material.

Asbestos in the workplace can present a serious threat to anyone that may be exposed to it including employees, customers and clients who visit your premises. Lung and respiratory diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and pleural thickening are all heavily linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is estimated to kill approximately 5,000 workers each year which is more than the number of people killed on the road.

It is worth noting however that ACMs do not pose a threat to human health when left undisturbed they become dangerous when damaged or their condition deteriorates. When the ACM is damaged, the asbestos fibres (which are microscopic and cannot be seen by the naked eye) can become airborne and therefore respirable. The fibres enter the lungs and digestive system and become trapped in the bodies tissues.

The diseases associated with asbestos exposure do not become apparent as soon as the fibres are inhaled and the diseases may take many years to develop.

Where Can Asbestos be Found in the Workplace?

ACMs can be found in a whole host of different places both internally and externally. Some of the most common uses of asbestos include –

Sprayed coatings
Roof sheets, slates and tiles
Pipe insulation
Lagging on boiler
Textured coatings and paints
Partition walls
Loose fill insulation

Who is Responsible for Managing Asbestos in the Workplace?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that “If you are a building owner, and/or are responsible for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises, you have a duty to manage any asbestos in that building”.

This duty covers all non-domestic premises including industrial and commercial buildings like offices, shops, factories and warehouses. It also covers public buildings like schools, libraries and museums.

It is the duty holder’s responsibility to find out if asbestos is present as well as make a record of its location, type and condition. They also need to assess the risk of anyone who will be exposed to it and prepare a plan on how to manage these risks. This plan needs to be implemented, monitored and kept up to date, it should also be provided to anyone who might potentially disturb the asbestos.

In a multi-occupied building the leaseholders are usually only accountable for the parts they occupy while the owner will be responsible for communal parts of the building.

How to Manage & Control Asbestos in the Workplace

Exactly how you manage asbestos will depend on the type of asbestos present and its current condition. If you suspect your workplace may contain asbestos the first step you should take is to arrange for an asbestos survey to be carried out.

Asbestos Survey for the Workplace

Performed by qualified and specialist asbestos surveyors, asbestos surveys involve inspecting your workplace building and taking samples of suspect materials. These samples will then be taken to a laboratory where they will be analysed to confirm whether asbestos is in fact present. From the analysis, you’ll be informed of the current risk it presents and provided advice on how to manage the material.

Asbestos management surveys are the most common type of survey. The purpose of this survey is to determine whether asbestos is present in your workplace.

However, if you’re intending to complete any building or refurbishment work at your workplace, a refurbishment or demolition survey will be required prior to the work starting. This type of survey is more intrusive and is targeted at proposed areas where refurbishment/ demolition is to take place. It will enable the likelihood of any asbestos being disturbed to be determined.

Once it has been established that asbestos is present in a building a Reinspection Survey should be undertaken at regular intervals to ensure the ACM has not deteriorated and is not presenting a hazard to building occupants.

Asbestos Management Plan for the Workplace

If it has been confirmed that asbestos is present at your workplace the duty holder will need to compile an asbestos management plan in order to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The purpose of this plan is to ensure that any ACM’s present are adequately managed to ensure the safety of the building occupants. It details the findings from the survey, the potential risk to human health, safe working practices to be implemented, future monitoring processes and more.

The plan will need to be reviewed, managed, monitored and maintained whilst any ACMs remain present in the building.

Asbestos Removal for the Workplace

If a survey identifies that asbestos in your workplace presents a health risk, action will be required to rectify the situation. This may involve repairing and encapsulating the ACM or completely removing it. In most cases repairing and removing asbestos can only be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removal contractor with fully trained Operatives.

Similarly for any asbestos surveying work it is important that fully qualified and experienced Surveyors are used. Accredited companies, like Casa Environmental Services, use the correct personal and respiratory protective equipment and follow strict processes and protocols to ensure any asbestos-related activity is fully compliant with The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.