Update on new asbestos legislation

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has confirmed most of the proposals for the revised asbestos regulations, which will combine the existing legislation on control at work, licensing and prohibitions into one set of regulations. The proposals were subject to a consultation which closed on 31 January 2006 and will strengthen overall worker protection by:

• reducing exposure limits;
• simplifying the regulatory regime; and
• implementing revisions to Directive 83/477/EEC, on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work.

When the HSC meets again in July, they will examine the complete package of draft regulations, Approved Code of Practice, guidance, training and enforcement. They have already agreed on:

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) proposals on sporadic and low intensity exposure;
• a risk-based approach to asbestos licensing, with licences reserved for high risk products and processes;
• the production of a HSE paper on the wider range of issues around asbestos licensing and areas of risk, which will help the HSC reach a final decision on whether work with textured coatings containing asbestos will require a licence.

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 will now come into force on 1 October 2006, and not 1 April 2006 as previously planned.