New regulations which set out more stringent procedures for dealing with low-risk asbestos products come into force on April 6th, reports Building.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 changes the current two-tier regime, where work with asbestos is either “licensed” or “non-licensed”, depending on whether it can be carried out by non asbestos-licensed contractors. The reforms add a third tier – non-licensed notifiable work – for a variety of low-risk asbestos work.
This will include work with Artex textured coatings, floor tiles, bitumen roofing products and cement panels that could have been installed before 1999. Almost any work on the relevant materials triggers the rule, including drilling, altering ductwork or removing asbestos-containing floor tiles.
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The new rules come into force as a new survey revealed that building managers and operators who are supposed to manage asbestos risk are not fully aware of the regulations. Building reported that The Great British Asbestos in Buildings Survey, backed by the UK Accreditation Service and industry group Asbestos Inspection Bodies, found that up to a fifth of those managing maintenance staff did not ensure that asbestos surveys were in place, despite a requirement for the surveys under current regulations.
The findings come following a significant legal victory for victims of asbestos-related diseases in the Supreme Court last week, which will make it easier to claim compensation from employers deemed to have not properly mitigated the risk to the staff.
The new regulations, mean that in future the HSE will have to be notified of all work with these low risk products products, respiratory protective equipment will have to be used, medical records kept and, eventually, medical checks done on participating staff. Contractors will also have to fill out risk assessments and a method statement for each work stating what measures have been taken to mitigate risk of asbestos contamination. Breaching the rules can bring a £5000 fine.
