Asbestos Policy Writers

What are Asbestos Policies?

Asbestos policies define how organisations identify, manage and control the risks associated with asbestos in the workplace.

Asbestos fibres can cause serious long-term health conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer if inhaled. A clear policy ensures that asbestos risks are properly assessed, that exposure is prevented, and that staff, contractors and visitors are protected.

What Do Asbestos Policies Cover?

An asbestos policy typically includes:

• Identification and assessment of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings

• Maintenance of an asbestos register and management plan

• Risk assessments before any building, maintenance or refurbishment work is carried out

• Safe systems of work for handling or working near ACMs

• Procedures for engaging licensed contractors when asbestos removal is required

• Emergency arrangements for accidental asbestos disturbance

• Training and awareness for employees and contractors who may encounter asbestos

• Record-keeping of inspections, surveys and remedial work

• Links to health and safety, risk management and contractor management policies

A clear policy helps ensure that all asbestos risks are managed effectively and that employees know how to recognise and report potential hazards.

It also ensures compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which set out strict requirements for managing asbestos in non-domestic premises.

By implementing a strong asbestos policy, organisations can protect health, reduce legal and financial risks, and demonstrate a clear commitment to providing a safe working environment.

Legal Basis

The framework is the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), supported by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and HSE's Approved Code of Practice L143.

Duty-holders for non-domestic premises must manage the risk from asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) under regulation 4.

Asbestos remains the single biggest cause of work-related death in the UK, with around 5,000 deaths each year from past exposure. Enforcement focus has been on the duty to manage and on competence of surveyors and removers.

Common Compliance Pitfalls

• No asbestos management survey for premises built or refurbished before 2000.
• Refurbishment and demolition surveys not commissioned before intrusive works.
• Asbestos register not communicated to maintenance contractors.
• Re-inspections not scheduled (CAR expects regular re-inspection of known ACMs).
• Non-licensed work (NNLW) treated as wholly unregulated; in fact NNLW still requires written notification, training, and medical surveillance from May 2015.

What Policy Pros Delivers

Our Asbestos Management Policy package includes the main policy, an asbestos register template, a management survey commissioning procedure, a refurbishment and demolition survey trigger checklist, contractor briefing pack, NNLW notification template, and integration with the wider H&S management system.