Buildings that people use in their daily lives, such as workplaces, schools and hospitals are the focus of a new campaign to keep people safe from asbestos.
Asbestos: Your Duty launched in January aiming to improve understanding of what the legal duty to manage asbestos involves.
The Health and Safety Executive wants anyone with responsibilities for buildings to do everything they must do to comply with the law and prevent exposure to this dangerous substance, which was widely used in post-war construction before it was completely banned in 1999.
Any job, any day of the week, can potentially release lethal asbestos fibres. It’s not like dust – you can’t see, smell, or feel the fibres in the air or on your clothes.
As long as asbestos is in good condition and is not disturbed or damaged there is negligible risk. However, if it is disturbed or damaged, it can become a danger to health, because asbestos fibres are released into the air and people may breathe them in.
Updated information, new templates (including an asbestos management plan template), and explanatory videos can be found on HSE’s website to help anyone who is unsure of their legal duties – or just need to refresh themselves – on what they need to do.
HSE will check how asbestos is managed when visiting a range of buildings – like schools and hospitals – requiring those responsible for managing asbestos risks to ensure they have the right arrangements in place.
It is important that the level of information, instruction and training is appropriate for the work and the roles undertaken by each worker (and supervisor).
If you require UKATA Asbestos training, or you would like more information, feel free to get in touch:
01782 438813
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