The Control of Asbestos regulations 2006 (CAR 2006) in practice change little in the way asbestos is dealt with. That may seem somewhat harsh after all the discussion that went on before their inception.

The following changes were brought in with CAR 2006.
• The Control Limit is reduced to 0.1 fibres/cm3, however the best asbestos removal contractors were working well within this already and the worst contractors are unlikely to change their ways.
• Asbestos training for unlicensed contractors is formalised.
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• Asbestos awareness training is required for all persons who work on buildings who have the potential to come into contact with asbestos whilst working.
The new Control of asbestos regulations force the contractor to make a risk assessment to determine if the 0.1 fibres/cm3 will be exceeded by the proposed works. If it does then a licensed contractor is required. It is therefore essential that the unlicensed contractor has the knowledge and experience to make that assessment.

Whilst the main headline of CAR 2006 has been that asbestos textured coatings have been removed from the requirement of licensing, in practice it is still the licensed asbestos removal contractors who are still doing the work, albeit without having to give 14 days notice to the enforcement officer.

Whilst removing thin textured coatings are almost certainly not licensed work removing a thicker application to smooth a rough concrete ceiling may still be. Similarly work with asbestos cement is described as normally not requiring a license, however the guidance on asbestos cement says that stacking asbestos cement sheets may expose people up to 0.5 fibres/cm3, which puts it well into the field of licensed work. Opinion from the HSE has bee sought on this matter.

Another change of some impact is that asbestos containing materials such as textured coatings need not be removed from buildings prior to demolition if the risk entailed in removal is great. It would seem that buildings such as tower blocks can now be more economically demolished.

All this is very new and we will have to see how enforcement of the new Control of Asbestos Regulations is used around these issues.

For more information on CAR 2006 from the HSE click the following link.

THE CONTROL OF ASBESTOS REGULATIONS 2006

If you would like to discuss your responsibilities under the new asbestos regulations with one of our asbestos consultants please contact us today.