Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals composed of microscopic, invisible fibres that can be breathed in or adhere to fabrics like clothes. Because of the serious concerns associated with asbestos, the UK currently has strict regulations on the material.

Those buildings that were built before 1990 still have asbestos, which poses dangerous issues if it is disturbed or damaged during construction. To ensure the safety of employees and residents, the British government implemented standards for Asbestos management.

Regulations for Working with Asbestos:

Unsafe asbestos practices can directly impact the environment and people's health, making asbestos removal necessary. Legal restrictions are essential for guaranteeing the proper handling of asbestos to prevent these dangerous issues. It takes more than just complying with asbestos standards, which are governed by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

This single amended Approved Code of Practice now includes L127 which is for the management of asbestos in non-domestic properties and L143 for Work with materials containing asbestos.

Act 1974:

It is the Health and Safety at Work Act that is applicable to protect the welfare of the general public and people at the worksite. It includes the principles and duties of employers to ensure that hazardous substances are controlled at the site. As per Section 8 of the Act, employees should receive the proper training, supervision, and information, including asbestos awareness, for their own well-being.

BS 8520:

The standard is applied for Equipment used in the controlled removal of asbestos-containing materials. It consists of three parts.

1. BS 8520-1:2009 "Controlled wetting equipment”

This sets specifications for the tools used in the carefully managed wetting of materials containing asbestos, benefiting the removal sector.

8520-1 act encourages the development of equipment and supplies that can efficiently dampen asbestos-containing materials and suppress fibres before, during, and after the eradication procedure.

It lays out requirements for the instruments needed to moisten ACMs under controlled conditions using liquid injection or spraying in order to prevent asbestos from being released into the air.  PAS 60-1:2004, which has been withdrawn, is the foundation for BS 8520-1.

2. BS 8520-2:2009 "Negative pressure units”

In the past, the asbestos removal business has been satisfied with the production of negative pressure units (NPUs); however, there were no guidelines or requirements in place. To improve industry standards and give special consideration to health and safety concerns, it was thought necessary to equip the asbestos removal sector with a minimum guideline.

It outlines specifications for transportable and/or portable NPUs with BS EN 1822-compliant HEPA filters for use in the selective removal of ACMs. This pertains to both two-part NPUs, which are intended to generate negative pressure inside a portable decontamination unit or working enclosure. Local exhaust ventilation is exempt from this.  

3. BS 8520-3:2009 "Operation, cleaning and maintenance of class H vacuum cleaners”

For the controlled removal of ACMs, BS 8520-3 provides guidelines for the use, upkeep and cleaning of class H (High hazard) Hoover cleaners with filters that meet BS EH1822 standards. It is not applicable to any other kind of vacuum cleaner or other applications that involve sucking up liquids. It is based on the now-withdrawn PAS60-3:2004.

Penalties for Violating Legal Requirements in Asbestos Handling

Due to multiple life losses from asbestos exposure, the British government made it necessary to strictly follow the rules and impose punishments for the violation of laws.

●      A two-year maximum jail sentence and an infinite fine might result from serious violations of UK asbestos laws.

●      If a duty holder does not have a proper strategy for handling asbestos in non-domestic buildings, he may be fined up to £20,000 or imprisoned for up to six months.

●      The company named Brintons Limited failed to prevent their workers from asbestos exposure in 1999. They were fined £100,000.

●      In 2022, Marks and Spencer plc paid £1,000,000 for health and safety offences relating to asbestos removal in two of its locations.

●      Esskay Construction was sentenced to £90,000 in 2023 for failing to provide asbestos protection for the public and employees while renovating a building.

Licence to Work with Asbestos

According to the HSE, a licenced contractor is required to finish any work involving asbestos. To be issued a licence to work with asbestos, people or companies must adhere to strict regulations set forth by the Health and Safety Executive and the UK Government.

Licences may not be required for occasional low-intensity work if the asbestos concentration is less than 0.6 fibres per centimetre over 10 minutes.

The Asbestos Ordinance 1983 and 1998 further clarified and updated the licensing requirements for insulation and coating of the material.

Conclusion:

British guidelines are in place to reduce the dangers of asbestos exposure. To prioritise safety, both employers and staff must closely abide by these requirements. Licenced asbestos removing experts are needed for the correct removal and handling of asbestos to ensure its safe disposal in compliance with legal requirements.