Asbestos risks

Asbestos remains a significant health risk, particularly in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000. Despite its widespread use in the past, asbestos is now known to cause serious health issues, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Asbestos is still the biggest workplace killer in Britain, causing around 5,000 deaths every year.

Therefore, asbestos awareness and management are critical for ensuring the safety of building occupants and workers.

When disturbed, asbestos fibres can become airborne and inhaled, which in turn can lead to severe health problems. The dangers of asbestos exposure cannot be overstated, as it poses long-term health risks that can be fatal. Even a single asbestos fibre can cause cancer, with symptoms potentially appearing 30 to 40 years after exposure. Ensuring the proper management of asbestos is essential to prevent these risks and protect everyone who may come into contact with it.

Who May Be Affected By Poor Asbestos Management?

Anyone who occupies or works in a building constructed before 2000 could be at risk. This includes:

• Contractors: Those involved in renovation, maintenance, or demolition work.
• Occupiers: Individuals living or working in the building.
• Visitors: Anyone who spends time in the building, either regularly or as a one-off.

Asbestosis in Women: A Historical Perspective

Historically, women have also been significantly affected by asbestosis, particularly those who worked in industries where asbestos was prevalent or lived in environments with high asbestos exposure.

Women often also faced secondary exposure from asbestos fibres brought home on the clothing of family members who worked with asbestos. Putting clothes in a washing machine can exacerbate the risk. When asbestos-contaminated clothing is washed, the fibres can become airborne and spread to other garments, increasing the likelihood of inhalation. Asbestos fibres are durable and difficult to remove, making home washing machines ineffective at eliminating them. Consequently, washing asbestos-contaminated clothes can inadvertently expose individuals to harmful asbestos fibres, potentially leading to diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and pleural disease.

This exposure has led to serious health issues historically, and we should ensure lessons are learned from this.

Ensuring Legal Compliance When Managing Asbestos

If you occupy or manage a building built before 2000, you are legally required to manage asbestos risks. This involves conducting an asbestos survey, maintaining an asbestos management plan, and ensuring all relevant personnel are aware of the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Compliance with these regulations not only avoids legal repercussions but also ensures the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

Peace of Mind

Proper asbestos management provides peace of mind. Knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to identify and mitigate asbestos risks allows you to focus on other aspects of building management without the constant worry of potential health hazards.

Conducting an Asbestos Survey: The First Step

Conducting an asbestos survey is just the first step in managing asbestos risks.

Instruct a professional contractor to carry out this survey. This will help ensure it is thorough and legally compliant.

It is essential to:

• Refer to the survey results regularly. Ensure that all relevant personnel have access to and understand the importance of this information.
• Review and update the asbestos management plan. Regularly update the plan and communicate any changes or findings to all relevant parties.

Additionally, consider the following steps to enhance the process:

• Conduct regular training sessions: Ensure that all staff members are trained on the latest asbestos management practices and understand the importance of adhering to the plan.
• Implement a monitoring system: Set up a system to regularly monitor the condition of asbestos-containing materials and promptly address any issues.
• Maintain detailed records: Keep comprehensive records of all surveys, updates, and communications related to asbestos management. This documentation can be crucial for compliance and future reference.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure a safer environment and maintain compliance with legal requirements.

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HSE prosecution

In August 2025, a Manchester-based construction firm, A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited, have been fined after exposing workers to asbestos risks.

Whilst acting as the Principal Contractor on works taking place at a former public house, evidence of asbestos was found that an asbestos insulating board had been illegally removed from the dumb waiter lift. A worker had previously entered the building and discovered apparent asbestos fragments around the lift shaft, which was later wrapped and removed by a licensed contractor.

A1 Property Maintenance management Limited were fined £5.117 for breaching Regulation 4(6) of The Control of Asbestos Regulations. The company had failed to conduct an asbestos survey to confirm that all asbestos-containing materials had been removed following the earlier identification of asbestos on-site.

An HSE spokesperson said:

“This was a serious incident and put those working in the building at risk of being exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos.

“Duty holders are reminded of the need to review without delay an asbestos assessment if there has been a significant change in the premises to which the assessment relates.”

What are the risks?

Asbestos carries serious health risks including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening. Through continued vigilance, compliance, awareness and training, these risks can be minimised.

Take action

We provide practical support with Asbestos Awareness training courses and retained support to ensure safe working conditions. Get in touch today to start a conversation about asbestos management in your work.

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Mesothelioma is a long-latency disease, taking anywhere from 15-60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. Occupational exposure today could have consequences far into the future, the results of which will not be seen for many years. Therefore, we must protect workers now.

According to the HSE, there were 2,218 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures in 2023. The majority of current fatalities related to asbestos exposure are generally associated with very high exposures from pre-2000 industrial processes (such as the installation of asbestos-containing products). Whilst annual mesothelioma deaths are expected to reduce as time passes, this will only be true if efforts to control asbestos exposure continue.

Whilst buildings constructed after 2000 are unlikely to contain asbestos, much of the material is still in place in older buildings and people can still be exposed to asbestos fibres if asbestos containing materials are damaged, disturbed, or are not managed properly.

What can we do?

People who might be more likely to be exposed to asbestos include, but are not limited to, those involved in demolition works, drilling, maintenance, and refurbishment. There are also associated risks to the public, and others working close to high-risk areas.

It is important that suitable control measures are in place to avoid exposure to asbestos.

If you are in control of a building (e.g. landlord, occupier, employer), measures to avoid exposing yourself and others may include:

• Understanding where asbestos may be in your property e.g. through undertaking an Asbestos Survey
• Assessing the risk of asbestos exposure
• Informing all relevant parties of the presence of asbestos. This could include employees, contractors, maintenance staff.
• Adhering to Asbestos Management Plans e.g. labelling, encapsulating, removing, and monitoring identified ACMs
• Ensuring those undertaking works are competent and informed (e.g. that they have been provided with a copy of the Asbestos Management Survey, that they have suitable training and understanding, that their RAMS are suitable)

If your work may expose you or others to asbestos, control measures may be to:

• Undertake Asbestos Awareness training
• Undertake and adhering to method statements and risk assessments, including considering if the works can be completed without disturbing asbestos
• Communicate with building occupiers / controllers e.g. obtaining a copy of the Asbestos Survey, verifying construction dates
• Raise concerns where necessary e.g., with the client, supervisors, building controller, a Principal Contractor etc.
• Understand when a licensed contractor must be appointed to undertake asbestos-related works
• Consider and understand who else might be present, and restrict access to the work area
• Use appropriate PPE or RPE

Why mesothelioma awareness matters

Deaths from mesothelioma are preventable. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed late due to its long latency period. Raising awareness helps to promote safer working practices, support affected individuals, and stop more people becoming statistics.

If you need any support with Asbestos Awareness training, development of asbestos policies or understanding the risk, reach out to LRB Consulting Ltd.

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HSE inspectors will, over the next few weeks, be focusing some of their time and effort on construction, woodworking and food manufacturing where occupational lung diseases, including in some cases occupational cancers, are more common. They will be asking what measures have been put in place to protect workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica and wood dust.

Inspectors are visiting businesses across the country to see what measures have been put in place to protect workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica, wood and flour dust. They will be looking for evidence of businesses and their workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the right controls. Where necessary, HSE will use enforcement to make sure people are protected.

HSE chief medical officer David Fishwick said:

Exposure to asbestos, silica, wood, flour and other dust can have life-changing consequences. Each year work-related lung diseases linked to past exposures are estimated to kill 12,000 workers across Great Britain. In many cases, these diseases take a long time to develop after exposure, so the damage done may not be immediately obvious. Others, such as occupational asthma and acute silicosis, can occur more quickly.

These conditions can and do have a significant impact on both the individuals affected and those closest to them, so it is imperative that workers take the necessary precautions to protect their lungs.

HSE chief inspector of construction Sarah Jardine added:

We are carrying out this series of inspections to ensure businesses are fulfilling their legal duties to protect workers from harm. This includes controlling the levels of dust in workplaces.

We want to ensure employers and their workers are aware of the risks associated with any task that produces dust. Such work needs to be properly planned and use the right controls, such as water suppression, extraction and masks.

The bottom line is we want everyone, workers and their employers, to be protected from harm and ill health so they can go home healthy to their families.

HSE Publication: Construction Dust

Construction Dust

Construction dust is not just a nuisance; it is a real risk to your lungs. Regularly breathing construction dust can cause diseases like lung cancer, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and silicosis. Construction workers have a high risk of developing these diseases because many common construction tasks can create high dust levels.

These diseases cause permanent disability and early death. Over 500 construction workers are believed to die from exposure to silica dust every year.

Construction Dust is a general term used to what may be found on a construction site. There are three main types:

• Silica dust – Silica is a natural mineral present in large amounts in things like sand, sandstone and granite. It is also commonly found in many construction materials such as concrete and mortar. The silica is broken into very fine dust (also known as Respirable Crystalline Silica or RCS) during many common tasks such as cutting, drilling and grinding. It is often called silica dust (see also Control of exposure to silica dust: A guide for employees).
• Non-silica dust – There are a number of construction products where silica is either not found or present in very low amounts. The most common ones include gypsum, cement, limestone, marble and dolomite. This dust is also mixed with silica dust when cutting things like bricks.
• Wood dust – Wood is widely used in construction and is found in two main forms; softwood and hardwood. Wood-based products are also commonly used including MDF and chipboard (see also Wood dust).

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Inspectors are visiting businesses across the country to see what measures have been put in place to protect workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica, wood and flour dust. They will be looking for evidence of businesses and their workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the right controls. Where necessary, HSE will use enforcement to make sure people are protected.

HSE chief medical officer David Fishwick said:

Exposure to asbestos, silica, wood, flour and other dust can have life-changing consequences. Each year work-related lung diseases linked to past exposures are estimated to kill 12,000 workers across Great Britain. In many cases, these diseases take a long time to develop after exposure, so the damage done may not be immediately obvious. Others, such as occupational asthma and acute silicosis, can occur more quickly.

These conditions can and do have a significant impact on both the individuals affected and those closest to them, so it is imperative that workers take the necessary precautions to protect their lungs.

HSE chief inspector of construction Sarah Jardine added:

We are carrying out this series of inspections to ensure businesses are fulfilling their legal duties to protect workers from harm. This includes controlling the levels of dust in workplaces.

We want to ensure employers and their workers are aware of the risks associated with any task that produces dust. Such work needs to be properly planned and use the right controls, such as water suppression, extraction and masks.

The bottom line is we want everyone, workers and their employers, to be protected from harm and ill health so they can go home healthy to their families.

HSE Publication: Construction Dust

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The Magistrates’ Court in Newton Abbot heard that between October 2016 and May 2017 construction work was undertaken to refurbish the hotel on Taw Vale. Parts of the hotel were originally constructed during the 1960s and 1970s when asbestos was a popular building material. The project aimed to refit and refurbish bathrooms and bedrooms.

Asbestos disturbed

An investigation by the HSE found that, at an early stage of the work, an employee raised concerns about the potential presence of  ACM within the rooms under refurbishment. Enquiries were made but no physical testing of the materials being disturbed was undertaken. Work continued for several more months and concerns about the materials within the bedrooms and bathrooms were raised again by external contractors. Testing of the material being disturbed was eventually conducted in February 2017 and the presence of ACMs was confirmed.

Whilst the HSE investigation was in progress the defendant had a further incident in May 2017 where ACM were disturbed during bathroom refurbishment works being undertaken. The planning undertaken for this work, which had included an assessment as to the presence of ACM, was inadequate as it failed to identify the full scope of the work proposed and the materials that would be disturbed during pipework installation works.

The investigation also found that refurbishment work was undertaken at the hotel without the appropriate assessment as to the presence of ACM. Once identified the hotel took remedial action which included sampling of common parts for asbestos fibres, which came back as negative.

Percy R Brend and Sons (Hoteliers) Ltd of Taw Vale, Barnstaple pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They have been fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,999.60.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Jo-Anne Michael said:

The dangers associated with asbestos are well known and a wealth of advice and guidance is freely available from HSE and other organisations.

Identification of the hazard is key. Duty holders should not undertake any work which either exposes or is liable to expose their employees to asbestos unless they have carried out a suitable and sufficient assessment as to the presence, location and condition of asbestos in the premises. Those persons tasked with undertaking the assessment should have the necessary skills.

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A prohibition notice was served on the now independent educational trust. An investigation found that the asbestos flue and rope were disturbed when it was under the control of the County Council 18 months beforehand.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the flue and gasket rope were attached to a steriliser unit that had been removed by the caretaker. The investigation also found that neither the caretaker nor the head teacher had any asbestos management or awareness training. The council failed to effectively prevent exposure to asbestos and failed to provide suitable training to those liable to be exposed to asbestos. In this case (as in many others), Asbestos in a Primary School happened because people were not sufficiently knowledgeable.

Kent County Council pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 10 (1) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £21,500.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Kevin Golding said

The Council had implemented a system, but they had failed to take the simple step of checking to ensure it was being rigorously adhered to, resulting in employees not receiving the appropriate training. Organisations should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.

According to an investigation into asbestos in schools by the BBC, 32 councils in England have settled claims from 220 retired teachers, school staff and ex-pupils in the last ten years.

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The HSE has served enforcement notices on both companies.

A spokesperson for the HSE spokesperson commented:

Although the risk of exposure is low, we took action as soon as we were informed. HSE Inspectors ensured supply of the asbestos-containing gauze mats stopped immediately. We got the message out as soon as possible and alerted schools, colleges and others to the issue, providing precautionary advice on how to check if they are affected and if so what to do next.

Our investigation into the circumstances that led to these particular gauze mats coming into circulation is on-going. As part of this, HSE inspectors have served enforcement notices on both companies to ensure that all affected mats are disposed of safely.

 

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Luton Crown Court heard how on 11 August 2015, SDC Builders Ltd failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment to identify the presence of asbestos in all areas of the building where work was to be carried out.

An investigation by the HSE found that SDC Builders Ltd failed to carry out the procedures required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Subsequently, asbestos-containing materials were disturbed in the course of the work. The company failed to ensure all workers were informed and did not take the necessary measures to control access into the area until remedial actions were taken.

SDC Builders pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5 and Regulation 15 of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The company has been fined £185,000 and ordered to pay costs of £28,118.74

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Alison Outhwaite said

Asbestos remains the top cause of fatal illness because of exposure in the workplace. It is important that contractors responsible for the refurbishment of premises constructed before 2000 identify whether asbestos is present and take the appropriate action to prevent exposure.

Our Asbestos Awareness training, in conjunction with our retained Health and Safety service, will help you avoid asbestos failures. We will help you avoid exposing your workers to this harmful substances, and help you comply with relevant health and safety legislation.

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In April 2018, an asbestos removal company and two of its managers were prosecuted after forging documents in order to obtain an asbestos licence from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, between 16 March 2012 and 10 March 2016, Excavation and Contracting (UK) Ltd used both forged medical certificates and forged asbestos training certificates for their asbestos removal operatives. These forged documents had been made by their asbestos operations manager, Mr David Lloyd, and included medicals in the name of the company operations manager, Lee Cooper, and forged training certificates for Lee Cooper and the managing director, Brendan O’Halloran. The doctor who had allegedly issued these medical certificates had retired sometime earlier to live outside the UK.

The HSE investigation found the defendants had used forged documents to obtain an asbestos licence from HSE in order to trade. The investigation also found the company could not show that they had properly trained or adequately monitored their workers who were exposed to asbestos.

David Lloyd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1)(a) and 22(1)(c) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for two years and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

Lee Cooper pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1)(a) and 22(1)(c) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was ordered to undertake 80 hours of community service and pay costs of £1,000.

Excavation and Contracting (UK) Ltd of West Quay Road, Warrington, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 10(1)(a) and 22(1)(c) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was fined £13,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

HSE inspector Matt Greenly said after the case:

Putting people at risk from asbestos by not training them or monitoring their health, as required by law, not only puts their lives at risk from an incurable set of diseases, but is also wholly unnecessary.

There are ample affordable training providers and approved doctors who can carry out these functions at the convenience of the contractor. Taking deliberate shortcuts by creating forged documents will not be tolerated by HSE and we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.

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