Asbestos, out of sight, not out of mind
It was banned in 1999, but it's still in millions of buildings. It's harmless left alone and in good condition. Disturb it, and the fibres can cause fatal diseases decades later.
- UK ban on all asbestos use
- 1999
- UK ban on all asbestos use
- buildings before this could have it
- 2000
- buildings before this could have it
- cause of work-related deaths in GB
- No.1
- cause of work-related deaths in GB
Why it still matters
Asbestos is the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain. The people most at risk today are tradespeople who disturb it without knowing it's there.
“An employer must not undertake work in demolition, maintenance, or any other work which exposes or is liable to expose employees of that employer to asbestos in respect of any premises unless either (a) that employer has carried out a suitable and sufficient assessment as to whether asbestos ... is present or is liable to be present in those premises; or (b) if there is doubt ... the employer assumes that asbestos is present ...”
In plain EnglishBefore work starts, find out whether asbestos could be there. If you're not sure, treat it as if it is.
Could it be there?
Assume it could be there
Asbestos was widely used in buildings until it was banned in 1999. Until a survey says otherwise, treat suspect materials as asbestos.
For non-domestic buildings there's a legal duty to manage asbestos: find it, record it, assess its condition, and tell anyone who might disturb it.
Where it hides
Tap the numbers to see the common places in an older house.
Textured ceilings
Artex-type coatings applied before 2000 can contain asbestos. Don't sand, scrape or drill without checking.
The duty to manage
Whoever is responsible for maintaining a non-domestic building must manage the asbestos in it.
- Find out if asbestos is present, usually with a management survey
- Assess the condition of anything found
- Keep a register of where it is
- Have a plan to manage it, and review it
- Tell anyone who might disturb it, like contractors
- Get a refurbishment survey before major work
Before you start work
- Ask for the asbestos register. Most homes won't have one, so assess it yourself or get a survey
- Stop if you find anything suspect, and don't disturb it
- Make sure everyone who could disturb asbestos has awareness training
- Most removal work needs a licensed contractor
Quick check
Which buildings could contain asbestos?
How we help
As your competent person, this is part of your package or available as an add-on.
Asbestos management plans
We help you understand your survey, build your register and keep the plan current.
Pre-work checks
Simple procedures so your team checks for asbestos before every intrusive job.
Advice before work starts
Help deciding what to check before intrusive work, so nobody disturbs asbestos by accident.
Awareness training
Asbestos awareness for anyone likely to disturb it, available as an add-on.
Guidance reviewed October 2026. A plain-English summary of the law in England, Scotland and Wales, not legal advice. Always check the full text on legislation.gov.uk and the latest HSE guidance.
Not sure what's in your building?
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