Asbestos regulations now apply to all businesses

New
rules to reduce the risk of exposure to asbestos in the workplace come into
force today.

The
new Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations are designed to force those in
charge of commercial and public buildings to have them properly surveyed, risk
assessed and a proper asbestos management plan drawn up and available.

Under
the new regulations anyone responsible for business premises must check for
asbestos and take the appropriate action if it is found.

Asbestos
is the biggest occupational health risk faced by workers in the UK. It is
estimated that around 500,000 buildings still contain the poisonous material.

Asbestos
was widely used for building and renovation between 1950 and 1980.

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The
new regulations coming into force apply to all businesses, however small.

By Mike Berry