Understanding the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: A Guide for Publicans

Adam Fox • 30 June 2023

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Introduction to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012


As a publican in the UK, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. These regulations were put in place to protect individuals from the dangers of asbestos exposure, which can have severe health implications. By familiarising yourself with these regulations, you can ensure the safety of your customers and employees, as well as maintain legal compliance.


Understanding the risks of asbestos in Pubs in the UK


Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was widely used in construction materials until it was banned in the UK in 1999. However, many older buildings, including pubs, still contain asbestos. It is important to be aware of the types of asbestos commonly found in pubs, such as Asbestos Insulating Board, Asbestos Cement, Asbestos Ceilings, Asbestos Flooring, and Asbestos Roofing. These materials, if disturbed or damaged, can release asbestos fibres into the air, posing a significant health risk.


The dangers of asbestos in Pubs


Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to serious health conditions, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. These diseases often have a long latency period, meaning symptoms may not appear until years or even decades after exposure. As a publican, it is your responsibility to protect your customers and employees from the risks associated with asbestos. Ignoring the presence of asbestos in your pub can have devastating consequences for both their health and your business.


Ensuring the safety of customers and employees - the importance of an Asbestos Management Plan


To effectively manage the risks of asbestos in your pub, it is crucial to have a robust Asbestos Management Plan in place. This plan should outline the procedures and protocols for identifying, monitoring, and controlling asbestos within your premises. Regular inspections and assessments should also be conducted to ensure the ongoing safety of your customers and employees. By implementing an Asbestos Management Plan, you are taking proactive steps to mitigate the risks associated with asbestos exposure.


Steps for keeping your customers, yourself, and your employees safe from asbestos exposure


  1. Identify and assess: Conduct a thorough inspection of your pub to identify any materials that may contain asbestos. If in doubt, consult with a qualified asbestos professional to carry out an Asbestos Management Survey.
  2. Manage and control: Develop a plan to manage and control asbestos within your pub. This may involve implementing measures to prevent disturbance or damage to asbestos-containing materials, such as encapsulation or removal.
  3. Inform and educate: Ensure that all employees are aware of the risks associated with asbestos and the necessary precautions to take. Provide training on how to handle materials that may contain asbestos and the importance of reporting any suspected damage.


Maintaining legal compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012


As a publican, it is your legal obligation to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Failure to do so can result in severe consequences, including fines and potential prosecution. To maintain legal compliance, you must:


  1. Conduct an Asbestos Management Survey: This survey will identify any asbestos-containing materials within your pub and assess their condition. It is essential to have an up-to-date survey to inform your Asbestos Management Plan.
  2. Develop an Asbestos Management Plan: This plan should outline the procedures for managing asbestos within your pub, including regular inspections and monitoring. It should also provide guidance on how to handle any potential asbestos-related incidents.
  3. Monitor and review: Regularly review and update your Asbestos Management Plan to ensure it remains effective and compliant with current regulations. Monitor any refurbishment or maintenance work to ensure asbestos is managed safely during these activities.


Developing an Asbestos Management Plan and conducting an Asbestos Management Survey


To develop an effective Asbestos Management Plan, it is essential to conduct an Asbestos Management Survey. This survey should be carried out by a qualified asbestos professional who will identify any asbestos-containing materials and assess their condition. The findings of the survey will inform the development of your Asbestos Management Plan, outlining the necessary steps to manage and control asbestos within your pub.

Managing asbestos during refurbishment and maintenance work


If you are planning any refurbishment or maintenance work in your pub, it is crucial to consider the presence of asbestos. Before commencing any work, consult with an asbestos professional to assess the risk and develop a safe plan of action. It may be necessary to have asbestos-containing materials removed or encapsulated before carrying out any construction or renovation work.


Importance of maintaining legal compliance and the consequences of failing to do so


Maintaining legal compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is not only essential for the safety of your customers and employees but also for the protection of your business. Failure to manage asbestos properly can result in lost time, potential prosecution, and significant financial consequences. By prioritising asbestos management and ensuring compliance, you are safeguarding the health and well-being of everyone in your pub.


The potential impact of failure to manage asbestos in your Pub - lost revenue and potential prosecution


If you fail to manage asbestos in your pub, the consequences can be severe. In the event of asbestos exposure or an incident related to asbestos-containing materials, your pub may need to be closed for remediation, resulting in lost time and revenue. Moreover, failing to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 can lead to legal action, fines, and potential prosecution. The reputational damage to your business can also have long-lasting effects.


Conclusion: The importance of prioritising asbestos management for your Pub


As a publican, understanding and complying with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is paramount. By prioritising asbestos management, developing a comprehensive Asbestos Management Plan, and conducting regular inspections and assessments, you can ensure the safety of your customers and employees. Maintaining legal compliance not only protects your business from potential prosecution but also demonstrates your commitment to providing a safe environment.


Contact Consulo Compliance for your FREE asbestos compliance audit and take a proactive step forward today to ensure you are not at risk.

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by Adam Fox 9 April 2025
Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem Twenty-five years after asbestos was banned in the UK, we’re still digging a hole—literally and metaphorically. Every day, across the country, asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, loaded into skips, and driven to landfill, where it will sit indefinitely, taking up valuable space, creating ongoing liability, and adding to our already bloated environmental burden. And yet, 2025 presents a different path. A smarter one. One that replaces disposal with repurposing, and turns a dangerous waste product into a useful, circular resource. The technology exists. So the question we should be asking isn’t “Can we recycle asbestos?” It’s “Why the hell aren’t we doing it already?” Landfill is Failing Us—But We’re Still Relying On It Let’s start with the basics. There are still over 1.5 million buildings in the UK that contain asbestos, most of them now approaching the end of their useful life. As these structures age or undergo refurbishment, the volume of asbestos waste is only going to increase. Right now, we handle that waste the same way we did decades ago: • Identify it • Remove it (usually under fully controlled conditions) • Seal it in heavy-duty plastic • Drive it to landfill • Bury it • Forget about it Except we don’t forget, do we? Because landfill space is running out. Disposal costs are going up. And the environmental cost? We’re only just starting to count it. There’s a Better Way—and It Already Works Here’s what most duty holders don’t realise: We no longer have to bury asbestos. Thanks to recent advances in thermal treatment technology, we now have a method that can safely denature asbestos, breaking down its fibrous structure and rendering it harmless. Companies like Thermal Recycling in the UK are already proving this is not science fiction. They’re using high temperatures to transform asbestos cement products—like corrugated roofing sheets—into an inert ceramic material that’s completely safe. But here's the best bit: That material isn’t just neutral. It’s useful. It can be crushed and graded into aggregate, which can be used in road construction, paving, and concrete mixes. Instead of creating a waste burden for the next generation, we’re creating a valuable, low-carbon building material. Why Aggregate Matters in the Carbon Equation The production of virgin aggregates—through mining and quarrying—is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. It contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and destroys natural landscapes. So by replacing some of that demand with recycled aggregate from denatured asbestos, we: • Cut carbon emissions • Reduce dependence on extraction • Shrink the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects • Extend the life of quarries and reduce waste tonnage That’s not just a win for waste management. That’s a win for the entire construction supply chain. And yet most people in the industry don’t even know it’s possible. Why Are We Still Burying What Could Be Reused? As someone who’s worked in asbestos compliance for over 20 years—and now helps business leaders manage risk more intelligently—I’ve seen the same patterns play out time and time again: • “We’ll just do what we’ve always done.” • “This project’s tight on budget—landfill’s cheaper, right?” • “We’re just following the usual route—it’s less risky.” Let’s be honest. That mindset is outdated, short-sighted, and lazy. Cost may always be a factor, but the belief that landfill is “cheaper” needs to be challenged. Once you factor in: • Long-term environmental costs • Reputational risk • Rising disposal fees • And the public pressure for sustainable practices Thermal recycling is already starting to make sense. Especially when the output is something usable, not something buried. Licensed Contractors: You Don’t Get a Free Pass Either This isn’t just about clients or duty holders. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC’s) have a moral obligation here too. And I say that not from a place of opinion—but from first-hand experience, day in and day out for over two decades. Too often, LARCs put profits over progress. They default to landfill because it’s faster, easier to price up, and keeps their margins clean. They know the alternatives exist—but they don’t explore them, let alone offer them to their clients. When you hold a licence from the HSE, you’re not just a business—you’re a guardian of public health. That comes with responsibility. Choosing the most sustainable, forward-thinking disposal route should be part of that. Especially when the technology is available, proven, and legal. It’s time for the industry to stop hiding behind what’s convenient and start leading from the front. A Moral Obligation for Everyone Involved Whether you’re a: • Local authority managing public buildings • Developer under pressure to go green • Commercial landlord looking to reduce liability • Or a licensed contractor with influence over disposal routes —you have a responsibility to look beyond the cheapest or fastest option. If there’s a proven, safe, and more sustainable way to manage asbestos, you have a duty to understand it before choosing to ignore it. Because let’s be honest: “We didn’t know” isn’t going to wash when the public starts asking why we’re still filling landfill sites with a problem we already have the technology to eliminate. So What Can You Do Differently? No one’s asking you to overhaul your entire waste strategy overnight. But you can—and should—start asking better questions: • “Is landfill our only option here?” • “Could this waste stream be recycled instead of buried?” • “What suppliers, contractors, or experts do we know who can help us explore this?” You don’t have to be a global pioneer. But if you’re in a position of responsibility, you should at least be aware that the old way isn’t the only way anymore. Final Thought: The Future Is Circular—Whether You Join In or Not Asbestos will be with us for decades to come. That’s a fact. But how we handle it—and whether we choose to keep repeating the past or do something smarter—is up to us. Thermal recycling and other denaturing technologies offer a rare opportunity to do something that actually moves the industry forward. Not just ticking the compliance box. Not just burying the problem. But solving it—and turning it into something useful in the process. If you’re involved in asbestos management in even the slightest way, ask yourself this: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
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