Asbestos: Still a significant risk

The supply and use of asbestos in the UK has been prohibited by law, using a phased approach, from 1985 – with a final ban in 1999. Asbestos was used in abundance between 1940 and 1970, and for this reason it is often thought of as a problem of the past.  However, asbestos actually remains a huge problem today.  It is classified as a category 1 carcinogen, and around 20 tradesmen die each week as a result of past exposure to asbestos – which can be present in buildings, both residential and commercial, constructed or refurbished up to the year 2000. Many materials regularly used in the building trade contain asbestos, materials such as: lagging; floor tiles; roofing felt.

Furthermore, it is not solely construction workers who are at risk of exposure to asbestos: anyone involved in the maintenance and refurbishment of buildings can be at risk, including, but not limited to: plumbers; plasterers; painters and decorators; computer and data installers; telecommunications engineers  –  to name but a few.

For buildings that contain asbestos, there is a legal responsibility to manage the material: this legal responsibility lies with the ‘duty holder’.  Put simply, the duty holder is the owner of the premises, or the person in charge of the maintenance or repair of the premises. Premises can include any industrial, commercial, or public buildings, such as factories, warehouses, offices,  schools, hospitals etc.

In order to manage the risks posed by asbestos in their premises, the duty holder may need to seek professional help, and this can be provided by consultancies which specialise in the management of environmental issues, such as asbestos.  These consultancies can offer expert advice and services regarding the management of asbestos.  

It’s vital that consultancy personnel are qualified to the highest standards in asbestos management, so that duty holders can have peace of mind in the levels of service they receive, specifically: the quality of advice; the correct identification of health hazards; and the adequacy of controls required to be implemented.

If a consultancy’s personnel have achieved BOHS’ asbestos qualifications, then this can help validate their level of professionalism: the BOHS P400 series of qualifications in asbestos are industry-leading and recognised by the HSE and UKAS, and are protected by trademark to BOHS.