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Asbestos Management
Asbestos remains the single largest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Despite being banned from use in new buildings since 1999, asbestos-containing materials are still present in a significant proportion of the UK's existing building stock, and the legal obligation to manage them falls squarely on duty holders. ISHEM provides fully independent asbestos management consultancy across the UK, giving building owners, managing agents and facilities professionals the expert support they need to meet their duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Why Asbestos Management Remains Critical
Asbestos-related diseases currently cause around 5,000 deaths per year in the UK, spanning mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. These deaths are almost entirely the consequence of occupational exposures that took place decades ago, a reflection of the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases, which can take 20 to 50 years to manifest after initial exposure.
The risk today is not primarily from asbestos that is actively being used. It is from asbestos-containing materials that are already present in buildings constructed or refurbished before the year 2000, and which are disturbed during maintenance, refurbishment or demolition work. Tradespeople who regularly work in older buildings remain at significant risk if the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials is not properly identified and managed.
Effective asbestos management does not necessarily mean removal. In many cases, materials in good condition that are unlikely to be disturbed are best left in place and managed through a documented asbestos management plan. The key is knowing what is present, where it is, what condition it is in, and how to ensure it remains safely managed.
Your Legal Duties Under CAR 2012
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) sets out the legal framework for asbestos management in the UK. The key duty for non-domestic premises is the duty to manage asbestos under Regulation 4, which applies to anyone who has maintenance or repair responsibilities for a non-domestic building.
Under CAR 2012, duty holders are required to:
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Take reasonable steps to identify the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials in the premises
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Presume that materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
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Assess the risk from any asbestos-containing materials identified
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Prepare and implement a written plan to manage that risk
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Review and monitor the plan and the condition of any asbestos-containing materials
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Provide information on the location and condition of any asbestos to anyone likely to disturb it
In addition, any work that involves or is liable to disturb asbestos requires specific controls under CAR 2012, and licensed work must be carried out by a contractor holding a licence issued by the HSE.
Our Asbestos Management Services
ISHEM provides a comprehensive range of independent asbestos management consultancy services. All building surveys are carried out by qualified surveyors and all sampling and laboratory analysis is conducted by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.
Asbestos Management Surveys
A non-intrusive survey to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos-containing materials in a building that could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupation. Provides the foundation for a compliant asbestos management plan.
Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys
An intrusive survey required before any refurbishment or demolition work takes place. Designed to locate all asbestos-containing materials in the relevant area so they can be appropriately managed or removed before work begins.
Re-inspection Surveys
Periodic re-inspection of known or presumed asbestos-containing materials to assess whether their condition has changed and whether the risk assessment and management plan remain valid.
Asbestos Risk Assessments and Management Plans
Development of written asbestos risk assessments and site-specific management plans in line with CAR 2012 and the HSE's guidance document L143. Provides duty holders with a clear, documented framework for ongoing asbestos management.
Sampling and Laboratory Analysis
Collection of material samples for analysis by ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos and identify the fibre type.
Asbestos Compliance Audits
Independent review of an organisation's existing asbestos management arrangements to assess whether current documentation, survey records, contractor management and monitoring procedures meet the requirements of CAR 2012.
Project Management of Asbestos Remediation
Independent project management and oversight of asbestos removal or encapsulation works, ensuring that licensed contractors perform to the required standard and that all regulatory requirements are met.
Asbestos Awareness and Management Training
Practical training for facilities managers, estates teams, responsible persons and tradespeople. See our Training page for full course information.
Who We Work With
ISHEM supports duty holders across the sectors where the duty to manage asbestos is most complex and where the consequences of non-compliance carry the greatest weight:
Healthcare
Hospitals and clinical facilities where asbestos management must be integrated with ongoing maintenance programmes and where disturbance of asbestos-containing materials carries acute risk to vulnerable occupants.
Education
Schools, colleges and universities where a significant proportion of the estate was built or refurbished between 1950 and 1999, creating widespread asbestos management obligations that require regular re-inspection and careful contractor management.
Commercial Property
Building owners, landlords and managing agents responsible for older office buildings, retail premises and mixed-use developments where asbestos-containing materials are commonly present in roofing, insulation, floor tiles and ceiling materials.
Industrial and Manufacturing
Factories, warehouses and production facilities where older buildings, plant rooms and service areas frequently contain asbestos-containing materials that require management alongside routine maintenance activity.
Facilities Management
FM professionals and estates teams managing single or multi-site portfolios who need a consistent, independent consultant to oversee asbestos compliance across all their properties
Why Independent Asbestos Consultancy Matters
In asbestos management, independence is especially important. Consultants who also have commercial relationships with removal contractors face an inherent conflict of interest when assessing whether materials should be removed or managed in place. ISHEM has no financial interest in any asbestos removal or remediation works. Our recommendations are based solely on the risk presented and what CAR 2012 requires, not on what generates follow-on revenue.
Our consultants are qualified and experienced across all aspects of asbestos risk management. We operate to ISO 9001:2015 standards and hold Safecontractor approval and JOSCAR registration, providing the quality and procurement assurance that clients in regulated sectors require.
For asbestos management that is properly documented, genuinely independent and fully aligned to CAR 2012, speak to ISHEM.