Effective Asbestos Management: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action

Why Asbestos Awareness Matters

Asbestos remains one of the most significant hazards of the workplace, with 5,000 deaths each year in Great Britain linked to asbestos-related diseases. To highlight the very real dangers of this occupational threat, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched its Asbestos & You campaign, an initiative aimed at raising awareness among younger tradespeople in professions such as plastering and joinery, who entered the workforce after asbestos was banned in 1999. The HSE emphasises that this group “need to take the risk of asbestos much more seriously,” as many may mistakenly believe these risks only concern older workers who may have been exposed before the ban was implemented.

The unfortunate truth is that asbestos is still present in millions of buildings constructed prior to 2000, and tradespeople of all ages could be exposed to asbestos fibres as part of their everyday work. Raising awareness of this danger is a critical first step in helping protect workers, but in doing so, the HSE campaign also raises important questions. For example: is awareness of the problem matched by awareness of the available solutions? When there’s suspicion of asbestos, is it clear what people should do or where they can go for help?

In order to safeguard workers to the fullest extent, awareness must be paired with actionable knowledge on effectively managing asbestos risk. The following steps have been identified as best-practice approaches for workers to minimise the risk posed by this hazardous material.

Key Steps for Asbestos Risk Management

1. Conduct Comprehensive Asbestos Surveys:
   Under Regulation 4 of The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, non-domestic buildings must be professionally surveyed to identify the presence, location, and condition of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). This information is then compiled into an asbestos register, which must be available to contractors to inform them of any asbestos present. For major refurbishment or demolition, a more thorough survey is required to ensure that all ACMs are located and safely managed. Always review the asbestos register before starting work or confirm the safe removal of asbestos from the premises.
    
2. Stop Work Immediately if Asbestos is Suspected:
   If a worker comes across what they think might be asbestos, they should cease work immediately. Due to time pressures, some may be tempted to assess the risk themselves, work around the situation or, worse, carry on regardless. However, it’s essential that the appropriate personnel are informed of the potential danger as soon as possible, so that the correct tests can be conducted to confirm the properties of the material in question. This approach helps safeguard both workers and compliance with safety regulations.
    
3. Seek Professional and Accredited Asbestos Management Services:
   When navigating the complexities of asbestos risk management it is essential to consult professionals with proven expertise. Independent consultancies such as Envirochem can offer specialised guidance on next steps, from sampling and surveying to asbestos testing. These experts can also assess the level of risk involved, ensuring that workers know whether licensed or non-licensed contractors are required to handle the situation. For high-risk ACMs, licensed contractors must perform the work under strict regulatory controls, whereas non-licensed professionals are authorised to handle lower-risk ACMs. In both instances, all work should be performed by trained individuals following a detailed plan of work, with relevant insurance in place. To ensure accuracy and compliance, analytical testing should meet the ISO/IEC 17025 standard and be conducted by UKAS-accredited laboratories.

The Continued Threat of Asbestos Exposure

For anyone working in the trades, regardless of when they began their career, the above steps provide practical, essential guidance on what to do when faced with a potential asbestos threat. Though this hazardous substance may now be banned the risk of exposure continues to persist, as Mesothelioma UK’s Don’t Let The Dust Settle campaign reminds us that a possible 6 million tonnes of asbestos could still be present in 1.5 million buildings across the UK.

Whilst such awareness campaigns are crucial for maintaining awareness levels – especially among those at greatest risk of exposure – managing asbestos risks also calls for informed, deliberate action. Workers and businesses alike should know when to call upon experts like Envirochem who can provide clear advice and steps towards mitigating personal risk. 

If you’d like to learn more about our UKAS-accredited sampling, surveys and testing services, or for expert guidance on asbestos management, get in touch with one of our experts today.