Understanding Your Responsibilities for Asbestos Management
If you own, manage or maintain commercial property, asbestos management should be an important part of your health and safety responsibilities.
Across Liverpool and the North West, many commercial buildings constructed before 2000 still contain asbestos-containing materials.
These can include offices, warehouses, retail premises, industrial units, hotels and other commercial properties.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, those responsible for managing certain premises have legal duties to identify and manage asbestos risks.
At Atlas Asbestos, we help businesses, landlords and property professionals understand and manage asbestos within their buildings.
What Is the Duty to Manage Asbestos?
Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 establishes the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises.
This generally applies to those responsible for maintaining or repairing the building, which may include property owners, landlords, managing agents and other dutyholders.
The duty includes taking reasonable steps to establish whether asbestos is present and managing any identified risks.
This involves:
- Identifying known or presumed asbestos-containing materials
- Assessing their condition
- Maintaining an asbestos register
- Preparing an asbestos management plan
- Monitoring asbestos-containing materials
- Providing relevant information to contractors and maintenance personnel
The duty also applies to common areas of certain residential buildings, including communal corridors, stairwells and shared service areas.
Does Every Commercial Building Need an Asbestos Survey?
Not every building automatically requires a new asbestos survey if you already have had one carried out previously, although, if data has not been maintained, a new management survey may be the best option. Dutyholders must have sufficient reliable information to identify and manage asbestos risks.
For many older commercial buildings, a professional asbestos management survey is an effective way to obtain this information.
A survey can help establish where asbestos-containing materials are located, assess their condition and support the development of an appropriate management plan.
Where refurbishment or demolition is planned, a more intrusive survey may also be required.
What Happens If Asbestos Is Found?
Finding asbestos in a commercial property does not automatically mean it needs to be removed.
In some circumstances, asbestos-containing materials can remain safely in place, provided they are in good condition and appropriately managed.
Depending on the circumstances, suitable actions may include:
Ongoing management
Monitoring the condition of asbestos-containing materials and ensuring they are not disturbed.
Encapsulation
Applying suitable protective measures to prevent deterioration or fibre release where appropriate.
Removal
Arranging for asbestos-containing materials to be safely removed when they present an unacceptable risk or will be affected by planned works.
The correct approach depends on the material, its condition, location and the potential for disturbance.
Why Regular Asbestos Management Matters
Commercial properties often undergo routine maintenance, repairs and improvements.
Activities such as electrical installations, plumbing works, ceiling repairs and building alterations can disturb previously unidentified asbestos-containing materials.
Maintaining accurate asbestos information helps protect employees, contractors, tenants and visitors.
It can also help property managers plan maintenance more effectively and reduce the likelihood of unexpected disruption.
How Atlas Asbestos Supports Commercial Property Owners
Atlas Asbestos provides asbestos services to commercial clients across Liverpool, Merseyside and the wider North West.
We work with property managers, landlords, facilities management companies, construction contractors and business owners.
Our services include:
- Asbestos management surveys
- Refurbishment and demolition surveys
- Asbestos sampling and testing
- Non-licensed asbestos removal
- Asbestos waste disposal
- Asbestos management and compliance support
Whether you manage a single commercial unit or multiple properties, we can discuss your asbestos requirements and help identify the appropriate next steps.
Need Support With Asbestos Compliance?
If you’re responsible for a commercial property and are unsure whether your asbestos information is up to date, now is a good time to review your arrangements.
Atlas Asbestos can help you understand your requirements and provide professional asbestos surveying and management support.
Contact our team today to discuss your property or request a quotation.
📞 0151 364 8109
Atlas Asbestos – Professional asbestos services for commercial properties across Liverpool and the North West.
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