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Asbestos remains a significant health and safety concern in commercial properties, particularly in older buildings where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were commonly used.
When disturbed, asbestos releases harmful fibres that can cause serious illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Because of these risks, UK law requires commercial property owners and managers to assess and manage asbestos hazards to protect workers, tenants, and visitors.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 outlines the legal responsibilities for those managing commercial properties.
This legislation requires duty holders to identify and assess asbestos risks, implement a management plan, and ensure that workers who may come into contact with asbestos receive the proper training.
Failing to comply with these regulations can result in heavy fines, legal action, and serious health consequences for those exposed.
Asbestos is a hazardous material that was widely used in the construction industry until it was banned in 1999. Its fire resistance, strength, and insulating properties made it a common choice for roofing, insulation, and flooring in both residential and commercial buildings.
Many commercial properties built before 2000 are likely to contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These materials were often used in areas that required heat resistance or soundproofing, meaning they can be found in various locations throughout a building.
Common places where asbestos may still be present include ceiling tiles, pipe lagging, boiler rooms, fire doors, and partition walls. Even if the asbestos is hidden, the risk remains if the materials are disturbed during maintenance or renovation work.
Asbestos only becomes a threat when it’s disturbed. When ACMs are damaged or broken, they release microscopic fibres into the air.
These fibres can be easily inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, where they may cause serious health problems over time.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These conditions often take years to develop and have no known cure. Because of this, it’s vital that businesses manage the risk carefully and in line with UK legislation.
If you’re a business owner, landlord, or property manager, you have a legal duty to prevent asbestos exposure in the workplace.
That starts with identifying potential ACMs, assessing the risk, and ensuring anyone who may come into contact with asbestos is properly trained.
Yes, under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, commercial property owners or those with responsibility for maintenance must manage the risk of asbestos. If asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are present or suspected, the law requires an asbestos management plan to be in place.
You’ll need an asbestos report if:
The report forms the foundation of your asbestos management plan and ensures you meet your legal obligations.
The responsibility sits with the duty holder. This could be the property owner, landlord, or a facilities manager, depending on who controls the maintenance and repair of the premises.
If your business leases a commercial property, it’s essential to check whether an asbestos report already exists. Landlords must provide access to this information, especially if your staff or contractors may disturb building materials.
Failing to arrange an asbestos survey when required can lead to prosecution, fines, or enforcement notices from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It’s not just about legal compliance, it’s about keeping people safe.
A commercial asbestos survey is a detailed inspection carried out by a qualified professional to locate and assess any asbestos-containing materials within a property. The purpose is to help the duty holder manage asbestos safely and prevent exposure.
These surveys follow strict HSE guidance to ensure that the findings are reliable and that the correct next steps are taken, whether that means monitoring or removal.
There are two main types of asbestos surveys:
Both survey types are vital for staying compliant and protecting anyone working on or occupying the property.
After the survey, you’ll receive an asbestos report. This document outlines:
This report supports your asbestos management plan, which you must keep up to date. If building work is planned, you must share the report with contractors so they can avoid disturbing ACMs and take appropriate safety precautions.
If asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are present in a commercial property, you must have an asbestos management plan in place. This plan outlines how you’ll monitor and control the risk of asbestos exposure on site.
Key steps include keeping an up-to-date asbestos register that details the location and condition of any ACMs. You should also carry out regular inspections to monitor any changes, particularly if materials are prone to wear or damage over time.
If your employees work near or around ACMs, they need the right training. Providing asbestos awareness training helps them understand the risks and what to do if asbestos is disturbed.
You also need to ensure that contractors are informed about asbestos risks before they start any work. Communication is essential for compliance and for keeping people safe.
Asbestos doesn’t always need to be removed. If the materials are in good condition and remain undisturbed, they may pose little to no risk.
However, if ACMs become damaged, deteriorate, or will be disturbed during refurbishment or demolition, removal becomes necessary.
You must hire licensed asbestos removal contractors to carry out this work. Attempting to remove or disturb asbestos without proper controls in place can release fibres into the air, increasing the risk of exposure for workers, tenants, and visitors.
If your employees or contractors may come into contact with ACMs, they must complete asbestos awareness training. This is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
UKATA-approved training ensures workers can recognise asbestos materials and understand how to avoid disturbing them. It also teaches the correct procedures to follow if ACMs are identified or damaged.
Whether you’re a property manager, tradesperson, or part of a maintenance team, asbestos awareness training is a vital step toward protecting people and complying with the law.
At 3B Training, we offer fully accredited UKATA Asbestos Awareness courses to help you meet your compliance requirements. You can choose a format that suits your business:
We’ve made it simple to access high-quality training, whether you’re booking for yourself or a team.
The UKATA Non-Licensed Asbestos Training is designed for workers involved in non-licensed asbestos work, such as removing floor tiles, asbestos cement sheets, or drilling into asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
This course goes beyond basic awareness, focusing on the practical skills needed to work with low-risk asbestos materials safely and legally.
It’s essential for those in construction, plumbing, electrical, roofing, painting, or maintenance roles.
Important: Workers must complete UKATA Asbestos Awareness Training before enrolling.
The course covers safe handling, PPE, waste disposal, and decontamination, ensuring full compliance with UK regulations.
You need an asbestos report if your commercial property was built before 2000 and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) could be present.
If you’re planning refurbishment or demolition work, the law also requires you to conduct a survey beforehand to make sure the it meets asbestos regulations to protect workers and contractors.
The duty holder is legally responsible for managing asbestos. This could be the property owner, landlord, facilities manager, or anyone with maintenance responsibilities. They must ensure asbestos risks are assessed, documented, and controlled properly.
Yes, if ACMs are present or suspected, an asbestos report is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It helps protect workers, tenants, and anyone else using the building from asbestos exposure.
You should inspect your commercial property regularly to monitor the condition of any ACMs. If materials start to deteriorate or if the building use changes, you must update your asbestos management plan accordingly.
If you fail to manage asbestos properly, you could face serious consequences. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can issue enforcement notices, fines, or even prosecute individuals responsible.
Managing asbestos correctly protects your workforce and keeps your business compliant.
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