The duty to manage asbestos in buildings

Although asbestos was banned in the UK over 20 years ago, it remains present in thousands of buildings across the country. If your building was constructed before 2000, there's a chance asbestos-containing materials could still be present, making it essential that those responsible understand their legal duties.

The duty to manage asbestos is a legal requirement designed to protect anyone who could be exposed to asbestos fibres while working in or visiting a building. Failing to manage asbestos correctly can put people at risk and may lead to significant legal and financial consequences for those responsible.

Who has the duty to manage asbestos?

The duty to manage asbestos typically falls to the person or organisation responsible for maintaining or repairing non-domestic premises, as well as the common parts of domestic buildings such as blocks of flats. This could include employers, building owners, landlords, facilities managers or managing agents, depending on the terms of the tenancy or maintenance agreement. Even if you're not the owner of a building, you may still have responsibilities if you're in control of its maintenance.

What does the duty involve?

Managing asbestos doesn't necessarily mean removing it. In many cases, asbestos-containing materials in good condition can be safely left in place, provided they are appropriately monitored and managed. Those responsible should take reasonable steps to find out whether asbestos-containing materials are present and, if so, where they are located and what condition they're in. They should also assess the risk they pose and keep an up-to-date record of their location and condition. A management plan should then be put in place to explain how any risks will be controlled and reviewed over time.

It's equally important that anyone who may work on or disturb asbestos-containing materials, such as contractors, maintenance staff or tradespeople, is made aware of its presence before work begins.

Why training matters

Understanding your responsibilities is the first step towards maintaining a safe working environment. Asbestos awareness training helps employers and employees recognise where asbestos may be found, understand the risks and know how to avoid disturbing it. At National Training Services, we provide practical asbestos training to help businesses meet their legal responsibilities and promote safer working practices.

To find out more about our asbestos training courses, or to discuss which course is right for your organisation, get in touch with the team today.