Despite being banned in the UK since 1999, asbestos remains a serious and present danger in many buildings across the country. If your premises were built before the year 2000, there is a very real chance that asbestos containing materials (ACMs) may be present. In 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched its renewed campaign, "Asbestos – Your Duty". The campaign shines a spotlight on the legal responsibilities of dutyholders to identify and manage these risks effectively.

Why This Matters

The HSE's campaign highlights that far too many buildings still lack up to date asbestos surveys or management plans. This can leave people exposed to airborne fibres when asbestos is disturbed, even during minor refurbishment works. Exposure can lead to life-threatening illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, often years after contact.

With fines and prosecution on the rise for non-compliance, there has never been a more important time to understand your duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

In August 2023, Warrington-based contractor Esskay Construction Ltd was fined £90,000 after exposing workers and the public to asbestos during a renovation project in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. The company failed to appoint a competent person to conduct a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey before commencing work. As a result, significant amounts of ACMs were disturbed, leading to the temporary closure of a street and a public safety intervention. The company was found guilty in their absence of breaching Regulations 5, 11, and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Who Has the Duty?

If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibility for non-domestic premises, you likely have a legal duty to manage asbestos. This includes schools, offices, shops, warehouses, industrial units, and public buildings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying and recording locations of ACMs
• Conducting a suitable risk assessment
• Developing and implementing an asbestos management plan
• Providing information to anyone who may come into contact with asbestos in your premises

Supporting Compliance with Training

At ST Safety Services Ltd, we understand the importance of practical, accessible training as part of your compliance strategy. As a health and safety consultancy, we offer several CPD certified online courses to suit various roles and responsibilities.

Asbestos Awareness: Ideal for all employees who may encounter asbestos in the workplace. As well as informing you about the risks of working with asbestos, the course will deliver a lot more information about recognising asbestos, where it's used, minimising the risks and the legislation about working with asbestos.

Asbestos Awareness – IATP Approved: This course meets the standards of the Independent Asbestos Training Providers, ensuring a recognised level of competency.

Asbestos Awareness for Architects and Designers: Specifically designed for those involved in planning or managing construction and refurbishment works.

These flexible, online courses ensure that everyone from frontline staff to senior managers understands how to recognise and manage asbestos risks appropriately.

What To Do Next

Don't wait for an incident to occur before addressing asbestos risks. Make sure your surveys are current, your management plan is in place, and your team is trained and informed.

To learn more about our training or get support with asbestos compliance, Contact Us or visit our Health & Safety online training section.

At ST Safety Services Ltd, we’re here to help you keep your workplace safe, healthy, and fully compliant. As we always say prevention is better than prosecution.