Asbestos Register

Asbestos was completely prohibited in the UK in 1999. However, asbestos still poses a significant risk in refurbishment, alteration, and demolition projects, remaining the leading cause of work-related deaths in the country.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 impose a legal obligation to manage asbestos. If asbestos is present or presumed to be present, it must be managed appropriately. This involves maintaining an accurate record of the location and condition of materials believed to contain asbestos and developing a management plan to address the associated risks.

For detailed guidance, refer to asbestos management.

Conducting an asbestos survey provides essential information on the presence, quantity, and type of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). It identifies:

• The whereabouts of ACMs.
• The asbestos type.
• The condition of the materials.

Survey findings should be documented in a survey report, facilitating the creation of an asbestos register (or asbestos risk register), which forms a crucial part of the management plan.

An asbestos register should include:

• Location details.
• Material identification.
• Quantity.
• Presence of surface coatings.
• Condition assessment.
• Accessibility.
• Asbestos type.
• Material score.
• Priority rating.
• Additional remarks.

The asbestos register requires annual updates and must be accessible to those responsible for planning or authorising maintenance work. It serves as a reference before any work commences and can be maintained in paper or electronic formats for easy access.

In April 2018, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) released new findings indicating that approximately one-third (32%) of respondents to its survey had never consulted the asbestos register before commencing work at a new site. Alarmingly, nearly half of those who hadn’t checked the register were unaware of its existence, while almost one in five (18%) admitted they would be uncertain about the appropriate course of action upon encountering asbestos during their work.

Moreover, nearly a quarter (23%) of construction workers reported potential exposure to asbestos fibres during their duties, elevating their risk of developing terminal cancers.

Dr. Lesley Rushton, chair of the UK’s Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, expressed concern over the survey results, stating, “While individuals may recognise the dangers of asbestos exposure, they often lack the knowledge to identify its presence or understand preventive measures. This lack of awareness is particularly prevalent among small businesses, sole traders, and older workers. It’s imperative that we educate them about the risks and proper management strategies to safeguard their long-term health.”