Asbestos frequently asked questions

Asbestos causes mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and diffuse pleural thickening, responsible for over 5000 deaths a year. Symptoms can take 15-60 years to appear after exposure.

It can be difficult, as asbestos is often mixed with other materials. The HSE asbestos image gallery shows common materials that contain asbestos.

Stop work immediately, confirm or assume it is asbestos, and carry out a risk assessment to determine if a licensed contractor is required.

Yes, employers should provide adequate personal protective clothing appropriate for the work being done.

There is no legal requirement to hold a certificate, though many training providers issue one to indicate completion.

Yes, a risk assessment must be carried out before any work on asbestos begins.

Most work on asbestos cement can be carried out without a licence, provided workers have had appropriate information, instruction and training.

Refresher training for licensable and non-licensable work should be given every year, based on a training needs analysis.

It is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Regulation 4), applying to owners and occupiers of commercial premises responsible for maintenance and repair, who must assess and manage any asbestos-containing materials.

An asbestos survey provides accurate information on the location, amount and type of asbestos-containing materials, helping prepare an asbestos register, risk assessment and management plan.

A key component of an asbestos management plan, containing current information on the presence and condition of asbestos, updated at least once a year.

The concentration of asbestos fibres in the air averaged over four hours; currently 0.1 fibres per cubic centimetre, with 0.6 f/cm3 over ten minutes for lower risk non-licensed work.

Work with sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos insulation, lagging and most asbestos insulating board requires a licence from HSE due to the hazardous nature of these materials.

Higher risk materials such as sprayed coatings, insulation, lagging and most asbestos insulating board should only be removed by a licensed contractor; some lower risk removal work does not require a licence.

Asbestos waste must be double wrapped in suitable labelled packaging and handled only by a licensed disposal site, transported in containers that prevent fibre release.