Why an Asbestos Management Plan is Crucial and How to Develop One for Your Business

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in the construction industry until the 1999. It is a highly hazardous material that can cause serious respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos is still present in many buildings, and it is essential to have an asbestos management plan in place to protect employees, contractors, and members of the public from exposure to this dangerous substance.

Introduction to Asbestos Management Plan

An asbestos management plan is a document that identifies and manages the risks associated with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a building. It outlines the procedures that need to be followed to ensure that people are not exposed to asbestos fibres, and it sets out how any asbestos present in the building will be managed to prevent it from becoming a hazard.

Employers and building owners have a legal duty to manage asbestos in their premises, and failure to comply with the regulations can result in prosecution, fines, and even imprisonment. Therefore, it is crucial to develop and implement an effective asbestos management plan that complies with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012).

Understanding the Regulations and Legal Requirements - CAR 2012

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) is the primary legislation governing the management of asbestos in the UK. It outlines the legal requirements for identifying, managing, and disposing of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings and sets out the responsibilities of employers, building owners, and duty holders.

The regulations require that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building. If ACMs are identified, a risk assessment must be carried out to determine the likelihood of exposure to asbestos fibres and the potential health risks. Based on the results of the assessment, an asbestos management plan must be developed that sets out the procedures for managing the asbestos-containing materials and minimising the risk of exposure.

Who is Responsible for Asbestos Management? - Duty Holder

The duty holder is the person responsible for managing asbestos in a building. This could be the employer, building owner, or person in control of the premises. The duty holder has a legal obligation to manage the risks associated with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building and to ensure that the asbestos management plan is up to date and effective.

The duty holder must:

• Identify whether there are any ACMs in the building and assess the risk of exposure
• Develop and implement an asbestos management plan
• Ensure that the asbestos management plan is reviewed and updated regularly
• Provide information on the location and condition of any ACMs to anyone who is likely to disturb them
• Ensure that anyone who is likely to disturb ACMs is trained and competent to do so safely

Importance of Having an Asbestos Management Plan

Having an asbestos management plan is essential for protecting employees, contractors, and members of the public from exposure to asbestos fibres. The plan sets out the procedures for managing the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building and minimizing the risk of exposure.

An effective asbestos management plan will:

• Identify all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building
• Assess the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres
• Set out the procedures for managing the ACMs to prevent exposure
• Ensure that anyone who is likely to disturb ACMs is trained and competent to do so safely
• Provide information on the location and condition of any ACMs to anyone who needs it

Steps to Develop an Effective Asbestos Management Plan

Developing an effective asbestos management plan involves several steps, including:

Step 1: Identify the Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs)

The first step in developing an asbestos management plan is to identify all the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building. This will involve carrying out an asbestos management survey to locate and identify any ACMs that may be present.

Step 2: Assess the Risk of Exposure

Once the ACMs have been identified, a risk assessment must be carried out to determine the likelihood of exposure to asbestos fibres and the potential health risks. The risk assessment should consider factors such as the condition of the asbestos, the likelihood of disturbance, and the number of people who may be exposed.

Step 3: Develop the Asbestos Management Plan

Based on the results of the risk assessment, an asbestos management plan must be developed that sets out the procedures for managing the ACMs to prevent exposure. The plan should be specific to the building and should include details of:

• The location and condition of the ACMs
• The procedures for managing the ACMs
• The arrangements for monitoring and reviewing the plan
• The procedures for dealing with asbestos emergencies
• The arrangements for providing information and training to employees and contractors

Components of an Asbestos Management Plan

An asbestos management plan should include the following components:

1. Introduction

The introduction should provide an overview of the asbestos management plan, including its purpose, scope, and objectives.

2. Asbestos Survey

The asbestos survey should provide details of the location and condition of the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building.

3. Risk Assessment

The risk assessment should identify the likelihood of exposure to asbestos fibres and the potential health risks.

4. Procedures for Managing Asbestos

The procedures for managing asbestos should set out how the ACMs will be managed to prevent exposure, including details of monitoring,

maintenance, and removal.

5. Training and Awareness for Employees

The plan should include details of the training and awareness that will be provided to employees and contractors to ensure that they are able to work safely with asbestos.

6. Asbestos Management Plan Review

The plan should be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains up to date and effective.

Asbestos Management Plan Maintenance and Review

An asbestos management plan must be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains up to date and effective. The review should take into account any changes to the building, the condition of the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), and any new information relating to the health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

The review should be carried out by a competent person who has the qualifications, knowledge and expertise to assess the effectiveness of the asbestos management plan. Any changes or updates to the plan should be documented, and the plan should be communicated to all relevant employees and contractors.

Asbestos Survey and Risk Assessment

An asbestos survey is a detailed inspection of a building to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that may be present. The survey should be carried out by a competent person who has the qualifications, knowledge and expertise to identify and assess the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.

The risk assessment should take into account factors such as the condition of the asbestos, the likelihood of disturbance, and the number of people who may be exposed. Based on the results of the risk assessment, an asbestos management plan should be developed that sets out the procedures for managing the ACMs to prevent exposure.

Training and Awareness for Employees

It is essential to provide training and awareness to employees and contractors who are likely to come into contact with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). The training should provide employees with the knowledge and skills to work safely with asbestos and to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency.

The training should cover:

• The health risks associated with asbestos exposure
• The procedures for working safely with asbestos
• The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• The procedures for dealing with asbestos emergencies

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Developing an Asbestos Management Plan

There are several common mistakes that building owners and employers make when developing an asbestos management plan. These include:

• Failing to identify all the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building
• Failing to carry out a risk assessment to determine the likelihood of exposure to asbestos fibres
• Failing to develop an effective plan for managing the ACMs to prevent exposure
• Failing to provide adequate training and awareness to all relevant employees and contractors
• Failing to review and update the asbestos management plan regularly

Benefits of Working with Asbestos Management Plan Experts - Consulo Compliance

Developing an effective asbestos management plan requires knowledge, expertise, and experience. Working with an asbestos management plan expert such as Consulo Compliance can provide several benefits, including:

• Access to specialist knowledge and expertise
• Assurance that the plan complies with the regulations
• Assistance in identifying all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building
• Assistance in carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to determine the likelihood of exposure to asbestos fibres
• Assistance in developing an effective plan for managing the ACMs to prevent exposure
• Assistance in providing training and awareness to employees and contractors
• Regular review and updating of the asbestos management plan

Benefits of Having a Comprehensive Asbestos Management Plan

Having a comprehensive asbestos management plan can provide several benefits, including:

• Protection of employees, contractors, and members of the public from exposure to asbestos fibres
• Compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012)
• Significantly reduced risk of prosecution, fines, and imprisonment
• Significantly reduced risk of legal claims for asbestos-related illnesses
• Improved management of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building
• Increased awareness and understanding of the risks associated with asbestos exposure
• Improved safety culture in the workplace



Conclusion and the Importance of Prioritising Asbestos Management Plan and Outsourcing to a Professional

In conclusion, an asbestos management plan is crucial for protecting employees, contractors, and members of the public from exposure to asbestos fibres. Building owners and employers have a legal duty to manage asbestos in their premises, and failure to comply with the regulations can result in prosecution, fines, and even imprisonment.

Developing an effective asbestos management plan involves several steps, including identifying the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), assessing the risk of exposure, and developing procedures for managing the ACMs to prevent exposure. It is essential to provide training and awareness to employees and contractors, and to review and update the plan regularly.

Outsourcing the development and implementation of an asbestos management plan to a professional such as Consulo Compliance can provide several benefits, including access to specialist knowledge and expertise, compliance with the regulations, and regular review and updating of the plan. Ensuring you have included everything you need to comply with the regulations can be both time-consuming and daunting. That's why I would always recommend employing the services of a fully qualified and insured asbestos professional such as Consulo Compliance to compile a robust asbestos management plan that works for you.