Six types of asbestos are defined by UK legislation, the first three being the most common:

• Chrysotile (white asbestos)
• Amosite (brown asbestos)
• Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
• Actinolite
• Anthophyllite, and
• Tremolite.

The peak use of asbestos was during the 1950s to 1980s. At the start of the 1970s, a series of voluntary and legal bans culminated in the total prohibition of the import and installation of asbestos in the UK.

Nevertheless, a huge number of domestic and non-domestic buildings still have asbestos containing materials.

Where is asbestos found?

Asbestos can be found in:

• Lagging and insulation
• Spray coating
• Artex
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Textiles
• Cement
• Boards
• Composites, and
• Bitumen.

Why is managing asbestos important?

Asbestos-related diseases kill more people than any other occupational hazard, claiming an estimated 4,000 lives per year in the UK alone. The diseases attack the respiratory system, with symptoms emerging between anywhere from two to 60 years after exposure.

The risks associated with asbestos are in the inhalation of its deadly fibres, which can happen in the vicinity of asbestos materials that become damaged, disturbed or when they deteriorate through age. The greater and more prolonged the exposure, the higher the risk of developing disease. This is why it is critical to identify asbestos materials in a building as soon as possible and then put in place a plan to manage and prevent disturbance and subsequent exposure.

Who is at risk?

Historically, the people affected are those who work in manufacturing plants of asbestos-related goods, shipbuilders, and those in the construction and demolition trades.

Currently, one group of people considered most at risk are those who carry out routine building maintenance works, such as plumbers, joiners, electricians, heating engineers and maintenance operatives.

What do I have to do?

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 place the responsibility for identifying and managing asbestos materials on the duty holders of buildings.

The duty holder is the person who is in charge of maintaining the building – depending on the building lease this could be the owner, tenant, occupier or a managing agent.

The duty to manage asbestos consists of the following obligatory components:

• Identify the asbestos materials present in the property (conduct a survey);
• Assess the risk of these materials;
• Prepare a written plan detailing how you are going to manage the risk; and
• Implement the measures in the plan and record what you have done.

The plan would include such items as providing information to those to require it, controlling contractors, making provision for maintenance and construction works, and regularly inspecting the condition of the asbestos materials present.