HEALTH AND SAFETY BULLETIN

The Health and Safety Commission has revised its proposals for introducing a new duty on employers to manage asbestos in the workplace. Previously, a consultation document was published on this subject and the latest proposals take account of comments received. The main difference from the original version is that the definition of "duty holder" has been widened. The employer in occupation of the premises will still have the main duty to ensure that the new requirements are met. But now there will also be a duty on those legally responsible for maintenance and repair of any part of the premises to do what is necessary to enable the employer to comply with his or her duty. Under the new provisions, anyone with responsibility for workplace premises will have to:

Find out whether asbestos is present in their buildings, where it is located and what condition it is in

Assume that materials contain asbestos unless they can be sure they do not

Assess the risk from these materials

Record their findings and prepare and implement plans to manage the risks from asbestos

and

Provide information to anyone liable to come into contact with asbestos.