Many businesses may take the view that it does not matter if their business premises contain asbestos as asbestos lies concealed from view and does no harm until it disintegrates or is removed.
Asbestos is harmful to the respiratory system. Because of its known dangers it can no longer be imported or used and anyone who works closely with it can only do so in licensed conditions. But it is thought that 4.4 million buildings contain it and maintenance workers - electricians, plumbers and carpenters will often come into contact with it unwittingly.
The regulations controlling asbestos (which came into force in May 2004) impose a duty on anyone with an obligation to maintain non-domestic premises to investigate whether asbestos is present, monitor its condition, put control measures in place and notify anyone who may be at risk.
The dutyholders will be many and varied - landlord, tenants, management companies and maintenance contractors.
The premises affected will be equally varied - factories, workshops, offices, shops, institutional buildings such as churches, prisons, hospitals and libraries. They also include common parts of residential properties.
Summary of main new duties:
- Carry out a risk assessment and record it in writing - consider whether asbestos is present and, if it is, its location and condition.
- Monitor the condition of asbestos on premises and ensure it is safely maintained and removed if necessary.
- Ensure information about its location and condition is provided to people likely to disturb it (most likely to be maintenance contractors) and to the emergency services.
Action points for dutyholders now:
Consider the nature of the risk assessment you will have to do and how best to do it - this has to include an inspection of reasonably accessible parts and consideration of building plans if there are any for your premises.
Budget for the cost of carrying out the risk assessment and complying with the regulations - the Health & Safety Commission expects compliance costs to average £4,000 per site.
Don’t ignore the hidden risk of asbestos; in this case, a stitch in time saves nine.
