Further research carried out by the Health and Safety Laboratory has confirmed earlier suspicions that risks from asbestos containing textured coatings are much lower than previously thought, and therefore supporting the proposals that work with them will no longer require a licence. The risks from disturbing textured coatings are believed to be similar to that of asbestos cement, and is only contained in a small proportion of asbestos. This kind of asbestos is bound in such a way which restricts release.
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is proposing a lower single control limit for work with all types of asbestos and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will discuss this further with stakeholders next month. Final recommendations will be made in May with revised Regulations scheduled for 1 October 2006. These will repeal and replace the existing provisions on asbestos control, licensing and prohibitions with a single set of Regulations. A new single Approved Code of Practice will also be published, detailing the requirements for work with textured coatings.
