Why the Duty to Manage Asbestos Matters More Than Ever

…and how accredited e-learning can help you stay compliant and safe

More than 1.5 million UK buildings still have asbestos present, and many employers are unaware of their full legal responsibilities. As older buildings reach refurbishment age, hidden asbestos is being disturbed more often leading to preventable exposure incidents. Last year, a parliamentary briefing highlighted asbestos as “the UK’s biggest cause of work-related deaths.” 

The legal duty you can’t afford to ignore 

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, risk is assessed as low if asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are undamaged and undisturbed. 

However, anyone responsible for maintaining or repairing non-domestic premises has a legal duty to manage asbestos. This includes schools, hospitals, offices, and housing associations, and even small businesses leasing older buildings. 

But many organisations still fall short because they: 

• don’t know where asbestos might be present 

• haven’t got a current management plan 

• do not communicate risks to staff and contractors. 

The HSE has recently stepped-up inspections, particularly in public-sector and education settings, issuing enforcement notices where duty holders couldn’t prove compliance. 

Why renewed awareness of asbestos is essential

A recent article in The Guardian talks about the continued risks under what’s known as the third wave of asbestos deaths, and highlights the case of Helen Bone, who, aged 38, was diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer, and died last year.  

Charlie Bradley, of Thompsons Solicitors, commented: “Never have I come across such a tragic case where a woman as young as Helen has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. 

She has not been on construction sites, or worked in the shipyard, but has simply gone to school as a child and worked in a healthcare environment as an adult. 

Helen’s case acts as a reminder that just because asbestos use was banned in 1999, the impact of the substance is far from a thing of the past.” 

Indeed, earlier this month, legal action was filed against Johnson & Johnson in the UK, accusing them of knowingly selling baby powder contaminated with asbestos since the 1960s. 

This follows similar lawsuits in the US, which have already resulted in claimants being awarded significant damages. 

With a new generation of facilities managers, caretakers, and contractors entering the workforce, ongoing training is vital to keep everyone safe and legally compliant. 

What the Duty to Manage asbestos actually means

In simple terms, the duty to manage asbestos means you must: 

• find out if asbestos is present, and where 

• assess the risk of exposure 

• prepare and implement a management plan 

• provide information to anyone who may disturb it (staff, maintenance workers, contractors).

This may sound straightforward, but in practice, it’s easy to miss crucial details, from documentation to contractor briefings. That’s where structured, audited and accredited training you can trust makes all the difference. 

Newly audited and accredited by IATP

At flick, we’re just putting the finishing touches to our new Asbestos: Duty to Manage course, which has been audited and accredited by the IATP (Independent Asbestos Training Providers). 

This means it meets recognised standards for asbestos awareness and management training – giving you confidence that your learning is both compliant and credible. 

The Asbestos Duty to Manage course covers: 

• legal requirements under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 

• identifying Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs) and their risk levels 

• creating and maintaining a management plan 

• communicating effectively with contractors and staff 

• record-keeping and monitoring. 

Who needs asbestos duty to manage training?

Our new Asbestos Duty to Manage course is designed for anyone who has a duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises, from building owners and facilities managers to headteachers, caretakers, and safety officers. 

Why now is the time to act

With regulatory focus intensifying and more legacy buildings needing maintenance, having a robust asbestos management plan (and trained staff) isn’t optional – it’s a legal obligation. 

Taking proactive steps now not only protects health but can save your organisation from costly disruption and enforcement. 

Our Asbestos: Duty to Manage e-learning course launches soon – newly accredited by IATP.  

Who needs asbestos awareness training?

Alongside our new duty to manage training course, we’re also updating our Asbestos Awareness training course, which is aimed at anyone who might encounter asbestos, but particularly suitable for those working in the building industry – formally or informally, and site staff.  

This newly updated Asbestos Awareness training course has also been audited and accredited by IATP, and covers everything needed for an awareness of asbestos, including:

• what asbestos is

• why and how it has been used

• who is at risk from asbestos

• the different types of asbestos

• the health risks

• what to do if you encounter asbestos.

Ready to take control?

Both of these courses (and over 150 more!) are included the flick library. You get unlimited access to all courses when you sign up for a subscription with flick. Or, you can license flick courses to host on your own LMS if you have one. 

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