Asbestos is the biggest occupational health problem ever encountered in the UK.
The fifteen-year plus latency period of asbestos related diseases means that positive efforts made now to reduce the effect of these fatal conditions will not be realised for some time but to do nothing is not an option!

It is estimated that over 1.5 million workplace properties currently have some form of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in them. As long as the ACMs remain in good condition and are left undisturbed, they pose no risk. However, if the ACMs are not properly managed they have the potential to become a serious health risk to individuals.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 place a legal duty on employers to protect their employees from asbestos.

These Regulations require the duty holder to:

• Find out whether asbestos is present in their buildings, where it is located and what condition it is in
• Assume that materials contain asbestos unless they can be sure they do not
• Record their findings
• Assess the risks from these materials
• Prepare and implement plans to manage the risks from such asbestos
• Provide information to anyone liable to come into contact with asbestos

Property Managers and owners alike will need to ensure the above practices are completed as part of their role as the ‘duty holder’