Asbestos Law

The main legislation in the UK that covers asbestos is the The Control Of Asbestos Regulations of 2006. It is very restrictive and aims to ensure that workers are protected against exposure to asbestos fibres.

Under the Contro lof Asbestos Regulations 2006 the following apply;

  • Use and import of products containing any amount of fibrous asbestos is illegal (except in some rare circumstances)
  • High-risk forms of asbestos (mostly thermal insulation) must be removed by licensed contractors.
  • Businesses must identify, record and manage (make safe) any asbestos materials present in their premises.
  • Staff must be appropriately trained if likely to come into contact with ANY asbestos products.
  • Asbestos waste must be disposed of by licensed waste carriers

Timeline

Year Description
1830s Asbestos use in UK becomes oommon
1972 Voluntary ban on use of Crocidolite
1983 Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations introduced aiming to introduce strict guidance on how asbestos should be removed.
1985 Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations introduced a ban on Crocidolite (Blue asbestos) and Amosite (Brown asbestos
1987 Control of Asbestos at Work regulations introduced to protect workers from fibre exposure when working with asbestos conaining materials.
1992 Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations amended to include ban on rarer forms of Amphibole asbestos (Tremolite, Actinolite and Anthophylite)
1999 Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations amended to include ban on Chrysotile banned
2002 Control of Asbestos at Work Regulatations (2002) introduces regulation 4 where businesses are obliged to identify and manage asbestos in their properties
2006 Control of Asbestos Regulations (2006) introduced. This is an amalgamation of previous asbestos legislations.