New Asbestos Laws Protect Employees
The majority of the New Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force Nov 13th 2006. It consolidates 3 previous sets of regulations.
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Some of the changes that were introduced include specific mandatory training for anyone who may risk being exposed to asbestos during there work, Introduction of a singular control limit and practical guidelines for the determination of 'Sporadic & Low Intensity asbestos works'.
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In response to the New Regulations Euro Environmental Ltd, launched Asbestos LocatorTM , A web based asbestos management system designed to assist organisations in complying with the regulations.
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Lee Hall Managing Director of Euro Environmental said "The system was designed in response to our customers demands for a simple management system that would enable effective in house management of asbestos containing materials".
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Another change brought about by the introduction of these regulations is the removal of textured coatings from the list of notifiable products. In essence this means that organisations are no longer required to use an asbestos licensed contractor to remove these materials. Companies should however exercise caution, the removal of textured coatings should still be carried out in accordance with HSE approved codes of practice and few non licensed companies have the skills and knowledge to do this effectively. Consideration should also be given to the contractors insurance which must cover them for works with asbestos materials.
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The new Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006:
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- Replace three existing sets of regulations (The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, The Asbestos (Licensing Regulations 1983, as amended, and The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992, as amended);
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- introduce a lower single control limit of 0.1 fibres per cm3 of air for work with all types of asbestos;Â
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- include practical guidelines for the determination of "sporadic and low intensity exposure", as required by the EU directive;
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- mean work with textured decorative coatings containing asbestos will be removed from the licensing regime as research shows that the level of exposure to asbestos fibres from such work are low;
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- mean all organisations or individuals carrying out the 4-Stage Asbestos Clearance and Certificate of Re-Occupation after asbestos removal works are to be accredited for that process by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (currently the only UK accreditation body for the 4-Stage Clearance). This requirement will not come into force until 6 April 2007; and
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- require mandatory training for work with asbestos.
