How do you ensure your asset is compliant with Asbestos law?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material which was used heavily in construction between the 1950s and 1990s. At the time the material was praised for its miraculous indestructible properties, however it has since been classified as a Category One Carcinogen and was banned in 1999.

Asbestos was used widely in a range of assets in the UK, including domestic homes, and non-domestic properties including schools, hospitals, and public venues. When well maintained and undisturbed, it poses no health threat. However, if disintegrating, or disturbed, the hazardous fibres are dangerous and pose risk of a range of fatal asbestos-related diseases.

The Control of Asbestos Regulation 2012 requires the Duty Holder to identify asbestos around an asset, and maintain an Asbestos Management Plan which is reviewed, monitored, and provides accessible information to any contractor, employee or visitor who may be at risk of disturbing it. Our software provides a visual mapping tool, and a full risk management tool to ensure full compliance with the law.

The Building Safety Act 2022 requires the named Accountable Person to hold the legal responsibility for common parts, and the Principal Accountable Person to hold the legal responsibility for the exterior and structure of the asset. This responsibility must be met by demonstrating seven duties and required ‘Golden Thread’ of information; our software ensures compliance and assurance with this standard.

Legionella is a bacteria that resides in water and if left untreated can lead to legionnaires disease which is a severe lung infection that you can contract by inhaling tiny water droplets containing the bacteria.

Common sources of exposure include air conditioning systems, humidifiers, spa pools, and hot tubs in places like hotels, hospitals, or offices. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and high fever.

As per the duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the duty holder is responsible for health and safety and need to take precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to legionnella.

The duty holder must ensure that they identify and assess sources of risk, manage any risks, prevent or control any risks, keep and maintain the correct records and carry out any other duties you may have; our software ensures compliance and assurance with this standard.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 aim to ensure that the hearing of workers' is protected from excessive and persistence noise whilst at their respective place of work as this can damage a persons' hearing with potential long term damage that may lead to noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.

Most employees are subject to noise at work, albeit at varying degrees as some industrial environments introduce risk of excessive noise such as construction work, heavy equipment and power tools, factory environments and loud music venues, as some examples.

The noise regulations advise that sounds at or below 70 dB are generally considered safe, however at levels or 80 dB and above then the employer must assess the risk to employee health and take appropriate preventative and protective actions where necessary.

Employers are responsible for ensuring the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded and as such employers are obliged to provide their employees with information, training and carry out health surveillance wherever there is a health risk; our software ensures compliance and assurance with this standard.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight form of precast concrete commonly used in buildings in the UK between the mid-1960s and the mid-1980s which is mainly found in roofs, although occasionally in floors and walls.

If you are responsible for the management, maintenance or alteration of buildings you should first establish whether your buildings contain RAAC and then take steps to manage and control risk.

As per the duties under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the duty holder is responsible for identifying hazards, determining the risk and then taking appropriate action where necessary.

With the failure of RAAC being highlighted in the UK in 2023, it is becoming increasingly important that the duty holder ensure that they identify and assess sources of risk, manage any risks and maintain the correct records on the overall condition of a built structure; our software ensures compliance and assurance with this standard.