Source: http://lexisweb.co.uk/si/2006/2701-2800/control-of-asbestos-regulations-2006
Timestamp: 2013-05-21 07:40:56
Document Index: 473890431

Matched Legal Cases: ['art2', 'art3', 'art4', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 6', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 3']

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 | LexisWeb
Home / Statutory Instruments / 2006 / 2701-2800 Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (2006 No 2739) 1 Citation and CommencementThese Regulations may be cited as the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and shall come into force on 13th November 2006, except regulation 20(4) which shall come into force on 6th April 2007.
Specified date: 13 November 2006: see above.
Disease Claims93
Types of Personal Injury Claim93
(a) asbestos actinolite, CAS No 77536–66–4(*);
(b) asbestos grunerite (amosite), CAS No 12172–73–5(*);
(c) asbestos anthophyllite, CAS No 77536–67–5(*);
(d) chrysotile, CAS No 12001–29–5;
(e) crocidolite, CAS NO 12001–28–4(*); and
(f) asbestos tremolite, CAS No 77536–68–6(*),
“employment medical adviser” means an employment medical adviser appointed under section 56 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974;
“enforcing authority” means the Executive, local authority or Office of Rail Regulation, determined in accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998 and the provisions of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006;
“ISO 17020” means European Standard EN ISO/IEC 17020, “General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection” as revised or reissued from time to time and accepted by the Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique (CEN/CENELEC);
“ISO 17025” means European Standard EN ISO/IEC 17025, “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” as revised or reissued from time to time and accepted by the Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique (CEN/CENELEC);
“the 1997 WHO recommended method” means the publication “Determination of airborne fibre concentrations. A recommended method, by phase-contrast optical microscopy (membrane filter method)”, WHO (World Health Organisation), Geneva 1997.
Specified date: 13 November 2006: see reg 1.
Control of Asbestos94
Disease Claims92
Types of Personal Injury Claim92
3 Application of these Regulations3Application of these Regulations(1) These Regulations shall apply to a self-employed person as they apply to an employer and an employee and as if that self-employed person were both an employer and an employee.
(a) the exposure of employees to asbestos is sporadic and of low intensity;
(b) it is clear from the risk assessment that the exposure of any employee to asbestos will not exceed the control limit; and
(i) short, non-continuous maintenance activities,
(ii) removal of materials in which the asbestos fibres are firmly linked in a matrix,
(a) under regulation 10 (information, instruction and training) shall not extend to persons who are not his employees unless those persons are on the premises where the work is being carried out; and
(b) under regulation 22 (health records and medical surveillance) shall not extend to persons who are not his employees.
(a) in England and Wales, to a fire and rescue authority within the meaning of section 1 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, or in Scotland to a relevant authority within the meaning of section 6 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, in respect of premises attended by its employees for the purpose of fighting a fire or in an emergency; or
(6) These Regulations shall not apply to the master or crew of a ship or to the employer of such persons in respect of the normal shipboard activities of a ship's crew which are carried out solely by the crew under the direction of the master, and for the purposes of this paragraph “ship” includes every description of vessel used in navigation, other than a ship forming part of Her Majesty's Navy.
Shiploading & Unloading98
Hazardous Substances & Phenomena92
Hovercraft95
Control of Asbestos92
4 Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premisesPart2General Requirements
4Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises(1) In this regulation “the dutyholder” means—
(a) the plan is reviewed and revised at regular intervals, and forthwith if—
(a) “the assessment” is a reference to the assessment required by paragraph (3);
(b) “the premises” is a reference to the non-domestic premises referred to in paragraph (1); and
(c) “the plan” is a reference to the plan required by paragraph (8).
Control of Asbestos91
5 Identification of the presence of asbestos5Identification of the presence of asbestosAn employer shall not undertake work in demolition, maintenance, or any other work which exposes or is liable to expose his employees to asbestos in respect of any premises unless either—
(a) he has carried out a suitable and sufficient assessment as to whether asbestos, what type of asbestos, contained in what material and in what condition is present or is liable to be present in those premises; or
(b) if there is doubt as to whether asbestos is present in those premises he—
6 Assessment of work which exposes employees to asbestos6Assessment of work which exposes employees to asbestos(1) An employer shall not carry out work which is liable to expose his employees to asbestos unless he has—
Control of Asbestos95
Hazardous Substances & Phenomena95
7 Plans of work7Plans of work(1) An employer shall not undertake any work with asbestos unless he has prepared a suitable written plan of work detailing how that work is to be carried out.
Disease Claims95
8 Licensing of work with asbestos8Licensing of work with asbestos(1) Subject to regulation 3(2), an employer shall not undertake any work with asbestos unless he holds a licence granted under paragraph (2) of this regulation.
(a) the person who wishes the licence to be granted to him has made application for it on a form approved for the purposes of this regulation by the Executive; and
(a) shall come into operation on the date specified in the licence, and shall be valid for any period up to a maximum of three years that the Executive may specify in it; and
Control of Asbestos96
Hazardous Substances & Phenomena96
9 Notification of work with asbestos9Notification of work with asbestos(1) Subject to regulation 3(2), an employer shall not undertake any work with asbestos unless he has notified the appropriate office of the enforcing authority in writing of the particulars specified in Schedule 1 at least 14 days before commencing that work or such shorter time before as the enforcing authority may agree.
Disease Claims94
Types of Personal Injury Claim94
10 Information, instruction and training10Information, instruction and training(1) Every employer shall ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is given to those of his employees—
(a) who are or who are liable to be exposed to asbestos, or who supervise such employees, so that they are aware of—
11 Prevention or reduction of exposure to asbestos11Prevention or reduction of exposure to asbestos(1) Every employer shall—
(i) take the measures necessary to reduce the exposure of his employees to asbestos to the lowest level reasonably practicable by measures other than the use of respiratory protective equipment, and
(ii) ensure that the number of his employees who are exposed to asbestos at any one time is as low as is reasonably practicable.
(b) is as low as is reasonably practicable.
(a) comply with any provision of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 which is applicable to that item of personal protective equipment; or
(i) forthwith inform any employees concerned and their representatives and ensure that work does not continue in the affected area until adequate measures have been taken to reduce employees' exposure to asbestos to below the control limit,
12 Use of control measures etc12Use of control measures etc(1) Every employer who provides any control measure, other thing or facility pursuant to these Regulations shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that it is properly used or applied as the case may be.
(a) take all reasonable steps to ensure that it is returned after use to any accommodation provided for it; and
13 Maintenance of control measures etc13Maintenance of control measures etc(1) Every employer who provides any control measure to meet the requirements of these Regulations shall ensure that—
(b) in the case of provision of systems of work and supervision and of any other measure, it is reviewed at suitable intervals and revised if necessary.
14 Provision and cleaning of protective clothing14Provision and cleaning of protective clothing(1) Every employer shall provide adequate and suitable protective clothing for such of his employees as are exposed or are liable to be exposed to asbestos, unless no significant quantity of asbestos is liable to be deposited on the clothes of the employee while he is at work.
15 Arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies15Arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies(1) Subject to regulation 3(2) and to paragraph (3) of this regulation, and without prejudice to the relevant provisions of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, in order to protect the health of his employees from an accident, incident or emergency related to the use of asbestos in a work process or to the removal or repair of asbestos-containing materials at the workplace, the employer shall ensure that—
(b) information on emergency arrangements, including—
(b) only those persons who are responsible for the carrying out of repairs and other necessary work are permitted in the affected area and they are provided with—
16 Duty to prevent or reduce the spread of asbestos16Duty to prevent or reduce the spread of asbestosEvery employer shall prevent or, where this is not reasonably practicable, reduce to the lowest level reasonably practicable the spread of asbestos from any place where work under his control is carried out.
17 Cleanliness of premises and plant17Cleanliness of premises and plantEvery employer who undertakes work which exposes or is liable to expose his employees to asbestos shall ensure that—
18 Designated Areas18Designated Areas(1) Every employer shall ensure that any area in which work under his control is carried out is designated as—
(a) an asbestos area, subject to regulation 3(2), where any employee would be liable to be exposed to asbestos in that area;
(b) a respirator zone where the concentration of asbestos fibres in the air in that area would exceed or would be liable to exceed the control limit.
19 Air Monitoring19Air Monitoring(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every employer shall monitor the exposure of his employees to asbestos by measurement of asbestos fibres present in the air—
(b) where he decides that monitoring is not required because paragraph 2(b) applies, the reason for that decision.
(a) in a case where exposure is such that a health record is required to be kept under regulation 22 for at least 40 years; or
20 Standards for air testing and site clearance certification20Standards for air testing and site clearance certification(1) In paragraph (4) “site clearance certificate for reoccupation” means a certificate issued to confirm that premises or parts of premises where work with asbestos has been carried out have been thoroughly cleaned upon completion of that work in accordance with regulation 17(b).
Paras (1)–(3), (5): Specified date: 13 November 2006: see reg 1.
Para (4): Specified date: 6 April 2007: see reg 1.
Control of Asbestos93
21 Standards for analysis21Standards for analysis(1) Every employer who analyses a sample of any material to determine whether it contains asbestos shall ensure that he meets criteria equivalent to those set out in the paragraphs of ISO 17025 which cover organisation, quality systems, control of records, personnel, accommodation and environmental conditions, test and calibration methods, method validation, equipment, handling of test and calibration items, and reporting results.
22 Health records and medical surveillance22Health records and medical surveillance(1) Subject to regulation 3(2), every employer shall ensure that—
(a) a health record, containing particulars approved by the Executive, relating to each of his employees who is exposed to asbestos is maintained; and
23 Washing and changing facilities23Washing and changing facilities(1) Every employer shall ensure that, for any of his employees who is exposed or liable to be exposed to asbestos, there be provided—
(b) where he is required to provide protective clothing, adequate facilities for the storage of—
24 Storage, distribution and labelling of raw asbestos and asbestos waste24Storage, distribution and labelling of raw asbestos and asbestos waste(1) Every employer who undertakes work with asbestos shall ensure that raw asbestos or waste which contains asbestos is not—
(a) where the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004 apply, in accordance with those Regulations; and
25 Interpretation of prohibitionsPart3Prohibitions and Related Provisions
25Interpretation of prohibitions(1) In this Part—
(a) putting asbestos or any product to which asbestos has intentionally been added to use for the first time; or
(b) putting asbestos or any product to which asbestos has intentionally been added which has been in use before to a new use.
(b) asbestos is not a naturally occurring impurity of that product, or of any component or constituent thereof,
Control of Asbestos97
26 Prohibitions of exposure to asbestos26Prohibitions of exposure to asbestos(1) No person shall undertake asbestos spraying or working procedures that involve using low-density (less than 1g/cm3) insulating or soundproofing materials which contain asbestos.
27 Prohibition of the importation of asbestos27Prohibition of the importation of asbestos(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the importation into the United Kingdom of asbestos or of any product to which asbestos has intentionally been added is prohibited and any contravention of this paragraph shall be punishable under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 and not as a contravention of a health and safety regulation.
28 Prohibition of the supply of asbestos28Prohibition of the supply of asbestos(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), no person shall supply, other than solely for the purpose of disposal, asbestos or any product to which asbestos has intentionally been added.
(2) In the case of chrysotile only, the prohibition in paragraph (1) shall not apply where the asbestos or the product was in use before 24th November 1999, except in the case of a product to which asbestos has intentionally been added of which the supply was prohibited by regulation 7 of the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 as in force immediately before 24th November 1999.
29 Prohibition of the use of asbestos29Prohibition of the use of asbestos(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (6), no person shall use, except in the course of any activity in connection with its disposal, asbestos or any product to which asbestos has intentionally been added.
(a) asbestos cement;
(b) any board, panel or tile, all or part of which has been painted with paint containing chrysotile; or
(c) any board, panel or tile, all or part of which has been covered in a textured finishing plaster used for decorative purposes and containing chrysotile,
30 Labelling of products containing asbestos30Labelling of products containing asbestos(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person shall not supply under an exception in Schedule 3 or an exemption granted pursuant to regulation 32 or regulation 33 a product which contains asbestos unless that product is labelled in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2.
Control of Asbestos98
Hazardous Substances & Phenomena98
31 Additional provisions in the case of exceptions and exemptions31Additional provisions in the case of exceptions and exemptions(1) Where under an exception in Schedule 3 or an exemption granted pursuant to regulation 32 or regulation 33 asbestos is used in a work process or is produced by a work process, the employer shall ensure that the quantity of asbestos and materials containing asbestos at the premises where the work is carried out is reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
(a) as then in force, regulation 13 of the Asbestos Regulations 1969 applied and the process was carried out in compliance with that regulation; or
32 Exemption certificatesPart4Miscellaneous
32Exemption certificates(1) Subject to paragraph (4), the Executive may, by a certificate in writing, exempt any person or class of persons or any product containing asbestos or class of such products from all or any of the requirements or prohibitions imposed by regulations 4, 8, 12, 13, 21, 22(5) to (7) and 27 and any such exemption may be granted subject to conditions and to a limit of time and may be varied or revoked by a further certificate in writing at any time.
(2) Subject to paragraph (4) and to the provisions of Council Directive 76/769/EEC on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, the Executive may, by a certificate in writing, exempt any person or class of persons or any product containing asbestos or class of such products from the prohibitions imposed by regulations 28(1) and 29(1) and any such exemption may be granted subject to conditions and to a limit of time and may be varied or revoked by a further certificate in writing at any time.
33 Exemptions relating to the Ministry of Defence33Exemptions relating to the Ministry of DefenceThe Secretary of State for Defence may, in the interests of national security, exempt any person or class of persons from all or any of the prohibitions imposed by Part 3 of these Regulations by a certificate in writing, and any such exemption may be granted subject to conditions and to a limit of time and may be varied or revoked by a further certificate in writing at any time.
Personal Injuries Proceedings & Damages90
Disease Claims90
Types of Personal Injury Claim90
34 Extension outside Great Britain34Extension outside Great BritainThese Regulations shall apply to any work outside Great Britain to which sections 1 to 59 and 80 to 82 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 apply by virtue of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (Application Outside Great Britain) Order 2001 as they apply to work in Great Britain.
35 Existing licences and exemption certificates35Existing licences and exemption certificates(1) An existing licence issued by the Executive under regulation 4(1) of the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 shall—
(b) be of the duration and subject to the conditions specified in it as if that duration and those conditions had been specified under regulation 8(3); and
(c) be liable to variation and revocation under regulation 8(4) and (5),
(2) An existing exemption granted by the Executive under regulation 7(1) of the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, regulation 8(1) of the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992, or regulation 25(1) of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 shall continue to have effect and be subject to any limitation of time or any conditions specified in it and liable to revocation as if it had been granted under regulation 32(1), (2) or (3) of these Regulations.
36 Revocations, amendments and savings36Revocations, amendments and savings(1) The revocations listed in Schedule 4 shall have effect.
37 Defence37DefenceSubject to regulation 21 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, in any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of Part 2 of these Regulations it shall be a defence for any person to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of that offence.
SCHEDULE 1 Particulars to be Included in a NotificationSCHEDULE
1Particulars to be Included in a Notification
Regulation 9(1)The following particulars are to be included in a notification made in accordance with regulation 9(1), namely—
(a) the name and address of the notifier and the address and telephone number of his usual place of business;
(b) a brief description of—
(i) the location of the work site,
(ii) the types of asbestos to be used or handled (classified in accordance with regulation 2),
(iii) the maximum quantity of asbestos of each type to be held at any one time at the premises at which the work is to take place,
(iv) the activities and processes involved,
(v) the number of workers involved, and
(vi) the measures taken to limit the exposure of employees to asbestos, and
(c) the date of the commencement of the work and its expected duration.
SCHEDULE 2 The Labelling of Raw Asbestos, Asbestos Waste and Products Containing AsbestosSCHEDULE
2The Labelling of Raw Asbestos, Asbestos Waste and Products Containing Asbestos
Regulations 14(4), 24(2) and (3) and 30(1) and (2)1
(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) of this paragraph, the label to be used on—
(a) raw asbestos (together with the labelling required under the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002 and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004);
(b) asbestos waste, when required to be so labelled by regulation 24(3); and
(c) products containing asbestos, including used protective clothing to which regulation 14(2) applies,
(1) Where a product containing asbestos may undergo processing or finishing it shall bear a label containing safety instructions appropriate to the particular product and in particular the following instructions—
(1) Labelling of packaged and unpackaged products containing asbestos in accordance with the foregoing paragraphs shall be effected by means of—
SCHEDULE 3 Exceptions to the Prohibitions on the Importation, Supply and Use of ChrysotileSCHEDULE
3Exceptions to the Prohibitions on the Importation, Supply and Use of Chrysotile
Regulations 26(4), 27(2), 28(3) and 29(6)1
Regulations 27(1), 28(1) and 29(1) shall not apply to brake linings within the meaning of the Road Vehicles (Brake Linings Safety) Regulations 1999.
Where it is not practicable for an employer to substitute for chrysotile a substance which, under the conditions of its use, does not create a risk to the health of his employees or creates a lesser risk than that created by chrysotile, regulations 26(3), 27(1), 28(1) and 29(1) shall not apply to—
(a) Diaphragms for use in electrolytic cells in existing electrolysis plants for chlor-alkali manufacture;
(b) chrysotile, or products to which chrysotile has intentionally been added, required solely for the manufacture of the products described in sub-paragraph (a).
Regulation 27(1) shall not apply to receptacles used for the storage of acetylene gas under pressure and in use before 24th November 1999.
SCHEDULE 4 RevocationsSCHEDULE
Instruments revokedReferencesExtent of revocation
The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983SI 1983/1649The whole Regulations
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992SI 1992/2966Schedule 2 Part VII
The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992SI 1992/3067The whole Regulations
The Asbestos (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1998SI 1998/3233The whole Regulations
The Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations 1999SI 1999/2373The whole Regulations
The Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 1999SI 1999/2977The whole Regulations
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002SI 2002/2675The whole Regulations
The Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2003SI 2003/1889The whole Regulations
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004SI 2004/568Schedule 13 paragraph 12
The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (England) Order 2004SI 2004/3168Article 63
The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Order 2005SI 2005/2929Article 73
The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (Consequential Modifications and Amendments) (No 2) Order 2005SSI 2005/344Schedule 1 Part 1 paragraph 26
SCHEDULE 5 AmendmentsSCHEDULE
5Amendments
Instruments amendedReferencesAmendments to have effect
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992SI 1992/2966In regulation 3(3)(c) for the words “the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987” substitute “the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006”
The Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998SI 1998/494In Schedule 2 paragraph 4A for the words “the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002” substitute “the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006”
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998SI 1998/2306In regulation 12(5)(b) for the reference to the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 substitute a reference to these Regulations
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002SI 2002/2677In regulation 5(1)(a)(iii) for the words “the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002” substitute “the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006”
The Fur Farming (Compensation Scheme) (England) Order 2004SI 2004/1964In Schedule 6 Part 6 paragraph 14(a)(i) and (ii) after the words “the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992” insert in each case the words “or, from 13th November 2006, by Part 3 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006”
The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2006SI 2006/336In the heading to regulation 5 for the words “the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983” substitute “regulation 8 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006”.
In regulation 5(1) for the words “the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 (“the 1983 Regulations”)” substitute “regulation 8 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (“the 2006 Regulations”)”
In regulation 6(3) for the words “the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002” substitute “the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006”
The Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006SI 2006/557In regulation 4(5) for the words “the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983” substitute “the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006” and for the words “regulation 4” substitute “regulation 8”
(This note is not part of the Regulations)1 These Regulations revoke and replace the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2675) and revoke and re-enact, with modifications, the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 (SI 1983/1649) as amended and the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/3067) as amended. They implement as respects Great Britain—
(a) Council Directive 76/769/EEC (“the Marketing and Use Directive”) (OJ No L262, 27.9.76, p 201), as amended by Council Directives 83/478/EEC (OJ No L263, 24.9.83 p 33) and 85/467/EEC (OJ No L269, 11.10.85 p 56), and Commission Directives 91/659/EEC (OJ No L363, 31.12.91 p 36) and 1999/43/EC (OJ No L207, 6.8.99 p 18), on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, insofar as it relates to asbestos;
(b) Council Directive 83/477/EEC (OJ No L263, 24.9.83, p 25) as amended by Council Directive 91/382/EEC (OJ No L206, 29.7.91 p 16) and Directive 2003/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No L97, 15.4.03, p 48) on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work;
(c) Council Directive 90/394/EEC (OJ No L196, 26.7.90, p 38) on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work (sixth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) insofar as it relates to asbestos; and
(d) Council Directive 98/24/EC (OJ No L131, 5.5.93, p 11) on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) insofar as it relates to risks to health from exposure to asbestos.
2 The licensing requirements of the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 (SI 1983/1649, as amended by SI 1998/3233) are re-enacted in regulation 8, and licenses made subject to a maximum duration of three years. Provision for exemptions is made in regulation 32(1) and for the validity of existing licenses in regulation 35(1).
3 Part 3 of the regulations re-enact the prohibitions in the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/3067, as amended by SI 1999/2373, SI 1999/2977 and SI 2003/1889) in updated form omitting expired derogations. Provision for exemptions is carried forward in regulations 32(2) and 33.
4 Part 2 of the Regulations replaces the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2675) and in addition to minor and drafting amendments makes changes of substance including the following—
(a) includes certain further definitions and introduce a new control limit common to all types of asbestos and lower than that applying previously to any (regulation 2(1));
(b) provides for the measurement of the control limit by the 1997 World Health Organisation (“WHO”) recommended method set out in the publication “Determination of airborne fibre concentrations. A recommended method, by phase-contrast optical microscopy (membrane filter method), WHO Geneva 1997 (ISBN 92 4 154496 1) (regulation 2(1));
(c) applies the duties in the regulations to all work with asbestos, save for exceptions in respect of licensing, notification, accident and emergency arrangements, asbestos areas and health surveillance in respect of sporadic and low intensity exposure (regulation 3(2));
(d) disapplies these Regulations in respect of ships other than naval ships (regulation 3(6));
(e) extends the list of topics on which information, instruction and training must be given to employees (regulation 10(1));
(f) provides for the provision of respiratory protective equipment so far as is reasonably practicable to any employee who is exposed to asbestos (regulation 11(2));
(g) provides that the control limit shall not be exceeded and for the actions to be taken if this should occur (regulation 11(5));
(h) provides that only competent persons should enter respirator zones or supervise employees in respirator zones (regulation 18(4));
(i) provides for accreditation of persons who are requested to assess premises for the issue of a site clearance certificate for reoccupation (regulation 20(4)); and
(j) omits labelling requirements which are now found in Part 3 (regulation 30).
5 European Standards EN ISO/IEC 17020 “General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection” accepted by CEN/CENELEC on 15th July 2004 and 17025 “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” accepted by CEN/CENELEC on 15th March 2005 can be obtained from the British Standards Institution, BSI Library and Bookshop, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL, or through British Standards Online at www.bsonline.bsi-global.com.
6 The publication “Determination of airborne fibre concentrations. A recommended method, by phase-contrast optical microscopy (membrane filter method)”, WHO Geneva 1997 (ISBN 92 4 154496 1) can be obtained online at www.who.int/publications/.
7 A copy of the regulatory impact assessment prepared in respect of these Regulations can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, Economic Advisers Unit, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS. A copy of the transposition note in relation to implementation of the Directives set out in paragraph 2(b) can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, International Branch at the same address. Copies of both these documents have been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.