Building owners in the UK are struggling to meet a basic new asbestos regulation
                     
Building owners in the UK are struggling to meet a basic new asbestos regulation



 
 

  

Olive Learning 
 

Building owners in the UK are 
struggling to meet a basic new 

asbestos regulation 
 
 


   

+44 20 3579 7542  asbestosawareness.training 

Due to its strength, durability, and resistance to fire and water, asbestos 

was widely used in building products until the 1990s. However, after some 

researches, Worksafe now reports asbestos as being world’s number one 

killer in the workplace and believe around 170 people die each year from 

asbestos-related diseases.  

 

The Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 were 

introduced to try and protect the workers as possible from exposure to 

asbestos fibers in the workplace. Currently, building owners or occupiers 

who manage or control a workplace must ensure and have made clear that 

asbestos or asbestos-containing materials are identified at the workplace. 

Also, after introducing these rules and regulations some industrial building 

owners are struggling to meet a basic necessity to have an asbestos 

management plan to deal with the hazardous material if it is found in their 

buildings. Asbestos management is really important to those who deal with 

asbestos continuously.   

 

Building owners and occupiers are currently 

required to conduct an asbestos survey of all 

buildings in their workplace. When asbestos is 

found, the building owner and occupier must 

keep a record of the location and condition of 

the asbestos, update their risk register 

indicating the presence and location of asbestos 

or asbestos-containing materials. The Health and Safety at Work 

Regulations on asbestos mean that property owners with a property which 


   

+44 20 3579 7542  asbestosawareness.training 

is operating as a workplace must not only identify whether asbestos is 

present but have an asbestos management plan in place. 

 

New measures to prevent asbestos contamination during renovations and 

demolitions could prove costly for building owners, but industry leaders say 

change is well overdue. Health and safety consultants report a big jump in 

demand for asbestos surveys of commercial buildings, but they're also 

struggling to find the suitably qualified staff to do the work.  

 

An asbestos management plan is a written plan, which must contain 

information about: 

 

• The identification of asbestos or asbestos-containing material in the 

site, 

• The decisions, including reasons, on how the risk arising from the 

asbestos is to be managed 

• The procedures for detailing incidents or emergencies involving 

asbestos or asbestos-containing material in the workplace; and 

• Information and training that will be provided to the workers.  

• Roles and responsibilities; and 

• Health monitoring regularly in the workplace.  

 

The new regulations mainly apply to commercial properties, but they also 

apply to residential properties in certain situations, for example, if the 

property is undergoing renovation, repair or maintenance work.