Management of asbestos in buildings

The duty to manage asbestos in buildings was introduced in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, becoming law in May 2004 after an 18-month transition period. As we pass its 20th anniversary, it's worth evaluating the effectiveness of this duty.

Introduction and Historical Context

The duty to manage asbestos in buildings was introduced in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, becoming law in May 2004 after an 18-month transition period. As we pass its 20th anniversary, it's worth evaluating the effectiveness of this duty.

The significance of asbestos management cannot be overstated. March 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of Nellie Kershaw's death, the first recorded fatality from pulmonary asbestosis. This grim milestone underscores the long-standing nature of asbestos-related health issues.

Current State of Asbestos Management

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) maintains that asbestos in the UK's built environment is well-managed. However, this claim warrants scrutiny considering that the HSE still reports approximately 5,000 asbestos-related deaths annually. It is also difficult to validate this statement when no evidence is available to support the effective management of asbestos in social housing.

The effectiveness of current management practices has been called into question by recent investigations. The 2022 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Select Committee inquiry into the HSE's asbestos management and the subsequent ATaC/NORAC Data Analysis Report on Asbestos in UK Buildings have shed light on potential shortcomings in the current system.

Recent Developments and Initiatives

In response to these challenges, several key initiatives have emerged. The DWP Select Committee recommended developing 'a central digital register of asbestos in non-domestic buildings, describing its location and type' to enhance asbestos management. Although initially rejected by the government, this recommendation has gained significant industry support over the past two years.

In early 2024, several UKAS-accredited organisations within the asbestos analytical and surveying sector, in partnership with ATaC and NORAC, formed Asbestos Information CIC, an independent Community Interest Company. This collaboration aims to address issues associated with complex asbestos survey reports and management actions.

A key outcome of this initiative is the Asbestos Information Certificate (AIC), a concise 1–2-page report following an easy-to-understand format similar to energy performance certificates for buildings. Sir Stephen Timms MP, the recently appointed Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions responsible for the HSE, has expressed interest in further discussions about these developments.

Improving Asbestos Management Practices

Current Material Risk Assessment (MRA) and Priority Risk Assessment (PRA) processes are often criticised for being complex and user-unfriendly. The AIC aims to simplify this process, making asbestos management information more accessible and actionable.

By analysing millions of data points provided by ATaC and NORAC members, we have translated the HSE's numerical risk assessment into an A-G format, more precisely highlighting asbestos management effectiveness.

The AIC's development has also revealed inconsistencies in current survey data recording and reporting methods. Data analysis has led to the creation of 'common surveying terminology', which could standardise information provided to dutyholders (those responsible for managing asbestos in buildings) across all accredited organisations.

The inconsistencies revealed in survey data highlight the importance of standardised practices in asbestos surveying. To address this, there's a growing call for mandatory accreditation of asbestos surveyors through the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). Such accreditation would ensure all surveyors meet a consistent, high standard of practice.

Furthermore, the current system often makes it difficult for dutyholders to change surveying companies, as different organisations may use incompatible data formats or systems. To solve this, we recommend that database providers standardise their systems. This would allow for easier transfer of asbestos survey data between different surveying organisations, reducing complications for dutyholders when they need to change service providers.

Future Directions and Potential Impact

Working with ATaC and NORAC members, and other non-affiliated UKAS Inspection Bodies, we have refined the translation process of current survey information into the AIC with 98% accuracy. This is a significant achievement, but it's just the beginning. To fully realise the potential of this initiative, we need to expand our dataset and enhance our analytical capabilities. By doing so, we aim to gain a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of how effectively the duty to manage asbestos is being complied with across the UK.

A larger, more diverse dataset will allow us to identify trends, challenges, and best practices in asbestos management across different sectors and regions. Improved analysis techniques will help us uncover insights that may not be apparent from individual surveys. Together, these advancements will provide a clearer picture of compliance levels, highlight areas where improvements are needed, and inform more effective strategies for asbestos management.

Importantly, this process has succesfully created a framework for a digital asbestos register, directly addressing one of the key recommendations from the DWP Select Committee. This development represents a significant step forward in centralising and standardising asbestos information across the UK.

The data collected through this initiative has far-reaching potential. It could assist campaigns such as those run by the Asbestos Victims Support Forum and provide powerful insights for policymaking, allowing for the monitoring of asbestos throughout the UK down to individual parliamentary constituencies.

Conclusion

One of the most effective ways to prevent exposure and protect the public is through the identification of asbestos-containing materials in buildings, increased awareness, and improved management. The initiatives described here represent significant steps towards these goals.

By pooling our data and expertise, we can revolutionise asbestos management, ensuring safer buildings for generations to come. Our combined knowledge and shared data offer an unprecedented opportunity to enhance asbestos management practices, protect public health, and shape future policy.