Asbestos Awareness: A Duty Every Trade Has

Any tradesperson whose work could disturb asbestos needs asbestos awareness training, and must stop work if they suspect it is present. Asbestos was widely used in UK buildings until it was banned in 1999, so many homes and buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it. The danger comes from breathing in fibres released when materials are drilled, cut, broken or sanded, and the diseases it causes can take decades to appear.

Why this matters to every trade

Asbestos is not just a problem for demolition crews. The people most likely to disturb it are the trades doing everyday maintenance and refurbishment: electricians chasing cables, plumbers drilling through boxing, gas engineers working around flues, carpenters taking down ceilings, plasterers, painters and decorators, roofers and builders.

A quick job can release fibres. Drilling a single hole in the wrong material, or sweeping up dust from it, can expose you and everyone else in the property.

What the law says

In Great Britain, asbestos is covered by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Two parts matter most to a working tradesperson.

Training

Employers must make sure that anyone whose work could expose them to asbestos fibres, or who supervises such work, gets suitable information, instruction and training. In practice this means asbestos awareness training for most trades working on older buildings. The HSE guidance is clear that training should be refreshed regularly, so check that yours is current.

The duty to manage

The formal duty to manage asbestos applies to the people responsible for non-domestic premises, and to the common areas of some domestic buildings such as blocks of flats. Domestic homes are generally outside the duty to manage, but that does not make them safe. Your own risk assessment and your employer’s duties still apply wherever you work.

If you are working in commercial premises, you should be able to ask for the asbestos register or management survey before you start. If you are told there is not one, treat that as a warning sign rather than a green light.

Where asbestos hides

Asbestos was used in thousands of products, so it can turn up in many places. Common examples in older buildings include:

Asbestos insulating board (AIB) used in ceilings, partitions, soffits, fire doors, boxing and airing cupboards.

Sprayed coatings and lagging around pipes, boilers and structural steel.

Textured decorative coatings such as Artex on walls and ceilings.

Cement products, including roof sheets, flue pipes, gutters and water tanks.

Floor tiles, and the adhesive and backing beneath them.

Fuse box backing boards and old electrical equipment.

You cannot identify asbestos by looking at it. Only a sample tested in a laboratory can confirm it, so if you are not sure, treat it as suspect.

Before you break into a wall

A few simple habits go a long way.

Ask first. Check whether there is an asbestos survey or register. Ask the client when the building was built and whether it has been refurbished.

Think about the age of the building. Anything built or refurbished before 2000 deserves extra caution.

Look at the materials. If you find something you do not recognise, or board, lagging or textured coating that looks old, stop.

Do not drill, cut, scrape or sand it until you know what it is.

Get it checked. A licensed asbestos surveyor or an accredited laboratory can sample and test materials.

If in doubt, stop work. A delayed job costs you far less than a lifetime of lung disease.

What to do if you think you have found asbestos

Stop work straight away.

Keep other people out of the area, including the client, other trades and children or pets.

Do not sweep up or vacuum the dust. Standard vacuum cleaners can spread fibres.

Switch off any fans or ventilation that could carry fibres through the building, if you can do so safely.

Tell the client or the person responsible for the building.

Get the material identified by a qualified professional before any further work.

Wash your hands and face, and handle clothing carefully, following your training.

Do not carry on and “just finish it quickly”. That is how people get exposed.

Licensed and non-licensed asbestos work

Some asbestos work must be carried out by a contractor licensed by the HSE. This generally covers work on the highest-risk materials such as sprayed coatings, lagging and asbestos insulating board in many situations. You cannot take this on yourself unless you hold the licence.

Other work is non-licensed but may still be notifiable, which means it has to be reported to the relevant enforcing authority, and it comes with requirements around training, medical surveillance and record keeping. Whether a job is licensed, notifiable non-licensed, or neither depends on the material and the work. The HSE website sets this out, and a licensed surveyor can advise on your specific job.

Disposal is not a free-for-all

Asbestos waste is hazardous. It must be double-bagged or wrapped, labelled correctly and taken to a site that accepts it, by a carrier registered for the job. Do not put it in a skip with general waste, and do not take it to the tip unless the site accepts it and you have followed their rules.

Cover yourself with insurance and paperwork

Keep your training certificates in the van or on your phone. Make a note on your job records of what the client told you about asbestos and what steps you took. Check what your public liability and other policies say about asbestos, because many policies exclude it or have conditions attached. Our guide on public liability insurance for tradespeople explains what to look for.

Trade-specific points

Builders and plasterers working on refurbishments should expect the possibility of asbestos in ceilings, boarding and textured coatings, and can find local work through the builders page. Electricians fitting out older properties should take extra care around old fuse boards and boarded areas, and can find local jobs through the electricians page.

Do things properly and win better work

Customers want a tradesperson who knows what they are doing and who will not put their family at risk. Being able to say you are asbestos aware is a mark of professionalism. Trade Pilot is free to join and works on pay-per-lead credits, so you pay when a real local job lands in your inbox, and each lead is sold to no more than three trades. Join Trade Pilot free and win work from customers who value a proper job.

FAQ

Do I need asbestos awareness training?

If your work could disturb asbestos, which is likely for most trades working on buildings from before 2000, then yes. Employers have a legal duty to make sure workers get suitable information, instruction and training.

Does the duty to manage asbestos apply to private homes?

The formal duty to manage applies to non-domestic premises and the common areas of some domestic buildings. Private homes are generally outside it, but asbestos can still be present, and your own safety duties still apply.

Can I tell if a material contains asbestos by looking at it?

No. Asbestos cannot be identified by eye. Only laboratory testing of a sample can confirm it, so treat suspect materials as asbestos until you know otherwise.

What should I do if I disturb asbestos by accident?

Stop work, keep people out of the area, do not sweep or vacuum, and tell the client or responsible person. Get the material identified by a professional and follow advice on cleaning up and further work.

Can I remove asbestos myself?

Some lower-risk work can be done by trained workers without a licence, but some of it must be notified, and high-risk materials need a licensed contractor. Check HSE guidance or ask a licensed surveyor before you start.