Regulation 6 of CAR 2012 requires employers to conduct a risk assessment to identify the risks of someone being exposed to asbestos as a consequence of the work that is to be carried out. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the employer themselves who undertakes the risk assessment; someone else could do this on their behalf.
Whether it is the employer that performs the risk assessment, or someone else, they will need to be competent to do so. This will include them having adequate knowledge, training, and expertise in understanding the risks that asbestos poses. They will need to know how the licensed asbestos removal job is likely to disturb the ACMs, as well as understand the requirements of CAR 2012.
Similarly, when it comes to creating the plan of work, the relevant part of CAR 2012 – Regulation 7 – sets out a requirement for the employer to do this. The plan will need to be written up by a suitably competent person, after a visit and full appraisal of the site.
However, it is crucial as part of this planning process to engage in detailed discussions with others. Stakeholders such as the dutyholder under CAR 2012, the owner of the given buildings, and/or the employees who will directly supervise and/or carry out the asbestos removal work, are likely to be able to provide valuable input to support the creation of the POW.