The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stepped up inspections of buildings and construction sites as part of Global Asbestos Awareness Week, warning landlords and property professionals over compliance failures.
Inspectors are carrying out spot checks across premises to ensure asbestos is being properly managed, with enforcement action likely where standards fall short.
The regulator said common failings include missing or inadequate asbestos management plans, poor training provision, and weak procedures for handling materials that may contain asbestos.
The legal duty to manage asbestos applies widely across the property sector, including landlords, managing agents and those responsible for maintenance in multi-occupancy and non-domestic buildings.
SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
Failure to comply can result in prosecution, fines and even criminal convictions, with recent cases highlighting the serious consequences of poor oversight.
Nicholas James from HSE’s engagement and policy division, said: “The law requires that asbestos in buildings is proactively managed and monitored.
“This means active monitoring – not a one-off check. The priorities are clear – accurate identification and assessment of asbestos-containing materials, robust procedures and arrangements for managing risk, ongoing active management and condition monitoring, effective communication and relevant training. Don’t let poor management arrangements be the reason an inspector finds you failing.”
ENFORCEMENT ACTION
The HSE is urging dutyholders to review their processes, including ensuring surveys are up to date, risk registers are in place and management plans are actively maintained.
It also warned that tradespeople remain particularly at risk, with asbestos still responsible for around 20 deaths per week linked to past exposure.
Recent enforcement action saw a site manager receive a suspended prison sentence and director ban, while two firms were fined more than £88,000 after failing to manage asbestos safely during demolition work.
More information HERE.
