The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 revoke and re-enact the 2006 Control of Asbestos Regulations, with some modifications, so that there is now a consolidated set of Asbestos Regulations. They set out conditions and controls for the management of asbestos. They also outline responsibilities and duties for dutyholders to monitor the condition of pre-existing asbestos containing materials and to protect anyone using or working in the premises, from the risks to health that exposure to asbestos causes.
The regulations set out licensing and training conditions; in the majority of cases, work with asbestos needs to be done by a licensed contractor. This work includes most asbestos removal, all work with sprayed asbestos coatings and asbestos lagging, and most work with asbestos insulation and asbestos insulating board (AIB).
In addition, the regulations set out the records and notifications that need to be made to local authorities, and if you are working on asbestos, the requirements for health surveillance. The regulations previously included sections regarding the prohibition of supply and use of asbestos, which is now included in the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulations 2006.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of soft and flexible needle-like fibres. Materials containing asbestos were widely used in the past because of its useful properties in construction, such as heat resistance and electrical insulation. Although asbestos was finally banned in new products from 1999, it can still be found in commercial and residential buildings that were built or refurbished before the year 2000.
When materials containing asbestos are disturbed or damaged, the soft fibres are released into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested. They can then remain trapped in the body forever. Exposure to asbestos is highly toxic and causes several cancers and diseases in workers, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer and pleural thickening.
Asbestos-related disease is the single greatest cause of occupational deaths in Great Britain, and it kills over 5000 workers each year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that roughly 20 tradesmen die each week as a result of exposure to it during their working lives. Because it is such a dangerous material, it is important that workers are protected from the health risks associated with its exposure and it is now illegal to use it in manufacturing processes.
There are three types of Asbestos, the most common being White Asbestos (Chrysotile), Blue Asbestos (Crocidolite), and Brown Asbestos (Amosite) and these can be found in a variety of materials. Blue and Brown Asbestos are the most lethal and are commonly found in pipe lagging and boiler gaskets.
Other uses for asbestos include:
