Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Freedom of information
This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating good practice.
1.1 Breathing in asbestos fibres released from disturbed or damaged asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can present a real risk of developing serious diseases, including cancer (mesothelioma and lung cancer) and asbestosis. Since these diseases can take decades to develop the majority of the current cases (including 4000 plus deaths per year) are associated with the very high exposures from past industrial processes and installation of asbestos products. HSE is now primarily concerned about potentially frequent and regular exposure patterns arising from direct work with ACMs, e.g. during maintenance activities. Such exposures could, over time, lead to a substantial accumulation of fibres in the lungs of some workers (such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters). HSE works with employers, trades unions, trade associations, training organisations and others with the aim of ensuring that current work with asbestos is either prevented or controlled to prevent asbestos related deaths in the future.
1.2 Everyone is continuously exposed to asbestos fibres to some extent because asbestos was such a widely used material within buildings, machinery, vehicle brakes and homes until 1999, when most forms of asbestos were banned. However, working directly with asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can give personal exposures to airborne asbestos that are much higher than environmental levels. Repeated exposures of this type will give rise to a substantial cumulative exposure, thereby increasing the risk of developing an asbestos related disease in the future.
2.1 As an employer you must ensure that you comply with the following legal duties to prevent or control exposure to asbestos caused by work activities:
2.2 You can find out more about how HSE enforces relevant legislation and the detail of the specific regulations via the HSE’s asbestos web pages: Asbestos - Enforcement
3.1 It is often difficult to accurately relate specific asbestos exposures to an increased risk of developing disease in the future. The degree of risk will depend on the total life time cumulative exposure; the type of asbestos involved and the time elapsed since the person was first exposed. The degree of cumulative exposure is dependent on the amount of fibres that are generated by the work activity and how long it lasts. The concentration of fibres in the air will be determined by the force used and extent of the disturbance as well as the ability of the ACM to release fibres. The following are examples of uncontrolled work activities likely to create a significant concentration of fibres in the air, thereby adding to the risk of developing an asbestos related disease:
Any of the work activities listed in paragraph 3.1 could be regarded as Dangerous Occurrences. They should be reported to HSE’s Incident Contact Centre (tel: 0845 3009923) where they take place, or are repeated (without effective controls), for more than the periods of time* outlined below:
* The timescales quoted are related to advice given in the previous version of OC 265/48 which stated that exposure would usually have been insufficient to pose a significant long-term risk to health where Action Levels were not exceeded. The Action Levels at that time were defined in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 as being 48 fibres per millilitre of air in a continuous 12 week period for all forms of asbestos and mixtures of asbestos, except chrysotile alone, and 72 fibres per millilitre of air in a continuous 12 week period where the exposure was solely to chrysotile.
3.2 Unless you have a robust asbestos management plan your employees may be disturbing ACMs without knowing it and therefore be more at risk than you think. The pattern of exposure to asbestos is a significant factor in determining the degree of risk. The following examples illustrate the main patterns of exposure and their relative risk:
It is important to remember that the law requires exposure to asbestos to be prevented as far as is reasonably practicable. When it can’t be avoided strict controls must be in place to reduce exposure levels. As an employer, you must ensure that safe working methods are drawn up and followed by employees and contractors.
4.1 You may need to seek advice from occupational hygienists or occupational health specialists about the likely exposure levels and associated risks. You should contact HSE’s Infoline service who may be able to give general advice and provide information on the availability of local specialist services.
4.2 You are not required to retain health records for those working with asbestos, unless they carry out licensed work. Health records for employees of licence-holders should be retained for 40 years. You are, however, required to inform all those affected about the nature of the incident and what you have done, or are going to do, to prevent a reoccurrence.
4.3 Exposed individuals should be informed that if they wish to consult their GP they should ask for a note to be made in their personal medical record of the possible exposure including date(s), duration, type of fibre and likely exposure levels (if known). (Their GP may refer them to a specialist in respiratory medicine but this is not normally considered necessary by HSE.) Each case should be considered on its merits, but HSE does not normally advocate routine X-rays for persons exposed to asbestos in these circumstances.
4.4 Alternatively, or in addition, you may choose to refer employees for counselling. You may wish to select an occupational health service for this purpose. The local office of HSE's Employment Medical Advisory Service may be able to provide information on services in the area. Contact Infoline for further details.
5.1 Information about the current asbestos campaign and practical guidance on controlling exposure (‘Asbestos Essentials Task sheets’) can be found on HSE’s website, along with the following guidance leaflets etc:
For those working in building maintenance, repair and refurbishment (available in priced packs of 10). A jointly badged leaflet produced by HSE in conjunction with the Trades Union Congress, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, The Federation of Small Businesses, The Asbestos Testing and Consulting Division of ARCA and The British Institute of Facilities Managers. A new leaflet for maintenance workers. A new pocket card for maintenance workers.