{"id":483,"date":"2018-03-15T11:16:03","date_gmt":"2018-03-15T11:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ndcmanagementcouk.wordpress.com\/?p=483"},"modified":"2020-08-07T06:29:26","modified_gmt":"2020-08-07T06:29:26","slug":"do-asbestos-awareness-regulations-affect-my-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ndcmanagement.co.uk\/blog\/do-asbestos-awareness-regulations-affect-my-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Do the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 Affect My Business?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Asbestos awareness is vital.\u00a0 According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), asbestos kills around 5000 workers each year – more than the number of people killed on roads.\u00a0 When employers fail to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 it can be life-threatening, resulting in prosecution and potentially catastrophic fines.<\/p>\n

Why is asbestos dangerous?<\/h3>\n

If materials containing asbestos are disturbed, then toxic fibres are released into the air.\u00a0 These fibres don\u2019t have an immediate affect but can cause fatal conditions like asbestosis, which is a lung disease, and asbestos-related lung cancers.\u00a0 These diseases are not often diagnosed until it\u2019s too late.\u00a0 Protect yourself and your workers by building asbestos awareness<\/a>.\u00a0 You don\u2019t necessarily need to remove asbestos.\u00a0 You do, however, need to identify and manage asbestos so that it never presents a health hazard.<\/p>\n

Am I responsible for the asbestos in my building?<\/h3>\n

Under the regulations, if you own your premises, then you are responsible.\u00a0 If you are a tenant, then you might still be accountable.\u00a0 Under your tenancy agreement, if you are responsible for alterations, repairs and maintenance then you are also responsible for asbestos control.\u00a0 If you share maintenance duties with the owner or other occupiers of the building, then you are jointly accountable.<\/p>\n

What happens if my employees encounter asbestos while working on or off site?<\/h3>\n

Employees need to be made aware that they should stop work immediately if they suspect asbestos is present.\u00a0 Asbestos work can only be carried out by a non-licensed contractor where appropriate information, instruction and training have been given.\u00a0 Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 the majority of employers working with asbestos need a license.\u00a0 Employers have a legal duty to provide instruction and training to employees who are likely to come across asbestos.<\/p>\n

What happens when the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 are breached?<\/h3>\n

In August this year a Wigan building contractor was fined nearly \u00a38,000 for breaching regulations.\u00a0 His work resulted in asbestos contamination of somebody\u2019s home.\u00a0 The owners couldn\u2019t enter their house for a week while a \u00a312,000 clean-up operation was carried out.\u00a0 HSE Inspector David Norton said: \u2018This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. Companies and individuals should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards\u2019.<\/p>\n

Understand your legal duties by reading the regulations on the HSE website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How do I detect asbestos?<\/h3>\n

Asbestos can be found in any building built before 2000.\u00a0 If in doubt, always assume the building contains asbestos.\u00a0 The HSE website contains several images to help you to detect the substance.\u00a0 However, it\u2019s difficult to identify because it\u2019s often mixed in with other materials.\u00a0 You can pay an external asbestos licensed contractor to carry out a search.<\/p>\n

How can I raise my employees\u2019 awareness about working safely with asbestos?<\/h3>\n

NDC Global Auditors offers a half-day Asbestos Awareness course which will help you and your employees to detect asbestos, stay safe and stay legal.\u00a0 Our course can be delivered on-site to your team, or your employees can attend an open access course at our Wiltshire or Surrey-based training centres.<\/p>\n

Benefits of NDC\u2019s Asbestos Awareness course:<\/h3>\n

As well as learning the dangers of asbestos, you will discover how to identify the different types and locations of asbestos in the workplace and on customers\u2019 sites.\u00a0 The course thoroughly covers:<\/p>\n

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