After more than four decades of close legislative control, asbestos in buildings remains one of the biggest health and safety issues facing everyone who owns, operates, manages, leases or maintains property in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) introduced revised legislation in 2012 tightening the regulatory grip on the control of this hazardous material.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires those in charge of premises to manage the risks associated with the presence of asbestos.
Under these regulations the Duty Holder has a legal duty to:
- Identify and record the location and condition of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) on their premises.
- Make information available to everyone who might need it including the emergency services.
- Re-inspect ACMs every six to twelve months regardless of condition and record the results.
- Document and implement an Asbestos Management Plan.
In addition, a new Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) on asbestos has been issued by the HSE in December 2013 – Managing and Working with Asbestos (L143). The publication which also contains guidance, offers essential advice to all those who are responsible for the maintenance of non-domestic buildings and so have a duty to manage asbestos, and to employers and employees who are carrying out work that may disturb ACMs.
If you are a duty holder, Stellar Environmental can provide expert assistance in fulfilling your legal duties. Our approach is to provide a total solution to asbestos management beginning with an accurate building survey, which should be the cornerstone of your compliance strategy. Asbestos Management Surveys and Refurbishment/Demolition Surveys are undertaken in accordance with HSE guidance HSG264 (January 2010) – ‘Asbestos: The Survey Guide’. Our reports are clear and concise with practical guidance and recommendations for action, backed up with colour coded CAD generated plans.
On your behalf we can implement and record your ongoing ACMs re-inspection regime – outsourcing this crucial element of asbestos management reduces the impact on your own resources and insurance costs. With a wide ranging client base we have extensive experience of building types and can provide bespoke Asbestos Management Plans for your business.
In addition our Project Management consultants can specify, tender and manage asbestos abatement projects, giving you independent, one-stop piece of mind for those sensitive projects. Keeping all this information up to date and available is a challenge to all businesses and in particular those with a substantial property portfolio.