The Legal Obligation

Owners and operators of Industrial and Commercial buildings are obliged to by law to survey their premises for the presence of Asbestos.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/

If you do not have an up to date, qualifying Asbestos Survey you are liable to prosecution, in relation to this, should any employee or other person fall ill due to the presence of Asbestos in your building and you have not properly assessed the risk, you will be liable for:

• Huge claims in compensation
• Personal fines of up to £20,000
• Custodial sentences
• Closure of the premises
• Disqualification of directorship

Further to this Insurance companies may refuse to renew your policy unless the correct procedures and legislation are in place.

The New Control of Asbestos Regulations

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force on 13 November 2006 (Asbestos Regulations - SI 2006/2739)

These Regulations bring together the three previous sets of Regulations covering the prohibition of asbestos, the control of asbestos at work and asbestos licensing.

The Regulations prohibit the importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos. They continue the ban introduced for blue and brown asbestos 1985 and for white asbestos in 1999. They also continue the ban the second-hand use of asbestos products such as asbestos cement sheets and asbestos boards and tiles; including panels which have been covered with paint or textured plaster containing asbestos.

For the full regulation please visit http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si2006/20062739.htm.