Understanding Asbestos and Its Risks
Dr Pippa Leighton
Asbestos remains a critical issue in the UK, with ongoing efforts to manage its presence in buildings and protect workers from its harmful effects. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 are at the forefront of these efforts, providing guidelines and legal frameworks to minimise exposure and asbestos-related diseases.
Understanding Asbestos and Its Risks
Asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibres, was widely used in construction and other industries for its strength, heat resistance, and insulating properties. However, it is now known that inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to serious health conditions, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma—a cancer of the lining of the lungs or stomach.
The use of asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999, but its legacy endures, with many buildings constructed before this time still containing asbestos materials. This presents ongoing challenges for maintenance, demolition, and renovation work, necessitating stringent controls to protect workers and the public.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, accessible at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/632/contents/made, is the primary legislation covering asbestos management in the UK. These regulations place duties on employers, building owners, and others to assess and manage the risks from asbestos in non-domestic premises.
Key aspects of the regulations include:
- The duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises, requiring owners and occupiers to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and manage the risk they present.
- Requirements for licensed work with asbestos, ensuring that more hazardous work (such as removal of ACMs) is only carried out by trained and licensed professionals.
- The need for non-licensed work with asbestos to be carried out with appropriate precautions and health surveillance.
- The need for regular health surveillance for any asbestos-exposed employee.
HSE Guidance on Managing and Working with Asbestos
The HSE's guidance document, "Managing and working with asbestos" (L143), which can be found at https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l143.htm, is an essential resource for anyone involved in managing asbestos risks or undertaking work that may disturb ACMs. This comprehensive guide provides practical advice on how to comply with the law, including:
- How to identify ACMs and assess their condition.
- The responsibilities of those who manage premises that contain asbestos.
- Safe working practices for all types of work with asbestos, whether licensed, non-licensed, or notifiable non-licensed work.
- The use of protective equipment and decontamination procedures.
Current Issues and Challenges
Despite the comprehensive regulatory framework, the UK continues to face challenges related to asbestos, including:
- Raising awareness among workers and employers about the risks of asbestos and the importance of compliance with safety regulations.
- Managing the legacy of asbestos in older buildings, particularly in sectors such as education and healthcare, where the safety of occupants is paramount.
- Ensuring that all work with asbestos, particularly in the non-licensed sector, is carried out safely and in accordance with HSE guidance.
Health surveillance
Health surveillance serves several key purposes in the context of asbestos exposure:
Early Identification: It aids in the early identification of asbestos-related diseases, which is crucial given the long latency periods associated with these conditions.
Prevention and Control: By monitoring the health status of workers exposed to asbestos, health surveillance contributes to the prevention and control of asbestos-related diseases, enabling timely intervention and mitigation strategies.
Regulatory Compliance: It ensures company compliance with health and safety regulations, including the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which mandate health surveillance for workers at risk of exposure to asbestos.
Worker Protection: Health surveillance provides additional protection to the workforce's health by identifying adverse effects early and facilitating informed decisions about an employee's continued fitness for work. This is supported by a clear health surveillance policy, quality assurance measures, and a system for handling and storing results.
Conclusion
Asbestos remains a significant health and safety issue in the UK, requiring ongoing vigilance, education, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE guidance provide a solid foundation for managing these risks, but the successful mitigation of asbestos-related diseases will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of safety and protection.