Information regarding the new HSE regulations

In light of this, the HSE has introduced new regulations to help better protect maintenance and removal workers, the groups now deemed most at risk from asbestos related illnesses, and in doing so bring a halt to the unacceptably high numbers of deaths and disablements attributable to asbestos.

Asbestos Awareness Training must be given to all demolition workers, maintenance and allied trade workers where it is foreseeable that their work will disturb the fabric of the building. By ensuring your employees have received Asbestos Awareness Training you ensure you are complying with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAR 2006) and also raise awareness of the issues with asbestos and help reduce the number of people affected by it.

The only exemption from this requirement is where the employer can demonstrate, with strong evidence, that workers will not encounter any asbestos containing materials (ACM’s). Whilst this may be possible for an individual job, where an asbestos register has been created in line with the duty to manage, it is likely to be impossible to apply this exemption to day to day work due to the vast majority of buildings where a thorough asbestos survey has not been done. Employers should note that it is possible to encounter ACM’s in all buildings built up to the year 2000.