Revised asbestos provisions in force

The much anticipated Control of Asbestos Regulations SI 2006/2739 have been issued and will come into force on 13 November 2006. The revised provisions will strengthen overall worker protection by reducing exposure limits and introducing mandatory training for work with asbestos. They include the following changes:

• a single control limit of 0.1 fibres per cubic centimeter of air, for work with all types of asbestos;
• specific mandatory training requirements for anyone likely to be exposed to asbestos;
• a requirement to analyse the concentration of asbestos in the air;
• practical guidelines for the determination of "sporadic and low intensity exposure";
• the revocation and replacement of the three existing sets of asbestos Regulations.

Most work with asbestos will still need to be carried out by a licensed contractor, but any decision on whether work is licenseable will now be determined by the risk. Further details on this, what training is necessary and how best to carry out work with asbestos can be found in the Approved Codes of Practice, "Work with materials containing asbestos" and the "Management of asbestos in non-domestic premises."

Commenting on the revised Regulations, Minister for Health and Safety, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath said, "They will help prevent around 6,500 occupational deaths from exposure to asbestos over the next 50 years. There is no doubt they are a step forward in the protection of workers and will strengthen controls to reduce future potential deaths from asbestos disease."