The use of asbestos and asbestos containing materials (ACMs) was totally banned in the UK in the year 2000.  However, that was less than fifteen years ago and this doesn’t mean that asbestos is no longer causing a problem.  Asbestos was commonly used in the building industry in the UK until then and, as many of us know, most of the buildings in the UK were built before the date of the ban.  This means that the majority of buildings in the UK are likely to contain asbestos or ACMs somewhere in the construction.  Even buildings that were constructed well before the use of asbestos became comm

These are the responsibilities that apply to the dutyholder in non-domestic premises

WHAT IS THE DUTY?

Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires the dutyholder to do the following:

We’re all familiar nowadays with the fact that asbestos is a dangerous substance but, surprisingly, it was not totally banned in the UK until 1999.  While blue and brown asbestos materials were banned outright in 1985, the import, sale and second hand reuse of white asbestos was still legal until the total ban in 1999.  Before this date, asbestos was widely used in the UK for decades, indeed it was extolled as an excellent insulating material. 

Asbestos is still causing problems all over the UK, despite a total ban on the use of asbestos containing materials of all types in 1999.  The UK government and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in particular has campaigned hard to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos in order to prevent a new generation getting caught in the unforgiving net of this insidious substance.

To begin with we need an explanation of exactly what an asbestos survey is. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), describes an asbestos survey as an “effective way to help manage asbestos in your premises by providing accurate information about the location, amount and type of any asbestos containing materials (ACMs)”.

First of all, a quick explanation of exactly what an asbestos survey is.  According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), an asbestos survey is an “effective way to help manage asbestos in your premises by providing accurate information about the location, amount and type of any asbestos containing materials (ACMs)”.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos.  The Mesothelioma Bill is set to make it easier for workers to claim compensation. There are thousands of sufferers in the UK who (along with their dependants) will be entitled to compensation from a £350 million fund in the next decade or so.  Those eligible will include employees diagnosed after 25 July, 2012 who are unable to sue former employers who have gone out of business.

Exposure to asbestos is the single greatest cause of work related deaths in the UK, with an average of 20 workers dying per week.  These figures include tradesmen like plumbers, electricians and joiners.  Asbestos is still a very real danger here in the UK despite the 1999 ban on the use and import of chrysotile asbestos.

The term asbestos covers six different substances that belong to the serpentine and amphibole mineral families, all of which contain unique fibres and are classified as asbestos.  Today we’re taking a look at the different types of asbesto.

Asbestos disposal is a confusing issue for many householders in the UK – we all know that asbestos is a dangerous substance that must be handled carefully, following the correct procedures.  With asbestos present in so many buildings that were constructed before its ban in the UK in 1999, many homeowners need to consider the possibility that asbestos is present when they undertake any refurbishments or repair work.