As a business owner or commercial property manager, your to-do list is likely miles long. However, if your operations take place in a building constructed before the late 1990s, one item must take precedence – asbestos management.
Failing to manage asbestos is a significant legal and financial liability. Here, we break down what an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) is, why you need one, and how to implement it effectively.
What is an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP)?
An Asbestos Management Plan is a living document that outlines the exact location of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within your building and describes your intended management approach to prevent accidental exposure.
Unlike an asbestos survey (which is a snapshot of what is present), the AMP is a strategy. It tells staff, contractors, and visitors how to stay safe while working on-site. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating and implementing your AMP.
Step 1: The Asbestos Survey
You cannot manage what you haven’t identified. Your first step is hiring a certified professional to conduct a Management Survey.
- Location: Identify exactly where the ACMs are (e.g., floor tiles, pipe insulation, roofing).
- Condition: Is the material friable (easily crumbled by hand) or non-friable (solid and stable)?
- Risk Level: How likely is it that someone will disturb this material during a normal workday?
Step 2: Risk Assessment and the Register
Once the survey is complete, create an Asbestos Register. This is a central log, often a digital spreadsheet or database, that lists every known or presumed instance of asbestos in the building.
Here’s a crucial tip: The register must be easily accessible. If a plumber comes to fix a leak, they should be able to check the register before they start drilling into a wall.
Step 3: Defining Control Measures
Your AMP should detail how you will keep these materials safe. Common strategies include encapsulation (coating the asbestos in a protective sealant to prevent fibre release); enclosure (building a physical barrier around the material); labelling (placing clear warning signs on or near ACMs to prevent accidental disturbance); and asbestos removal (usually reserved for materials in poor condition or those in the path of planned renovations).
Why Compliance Matters
In many jurisdictions, the duty to manage falls squarely on the person in control of the premises. If you ignore these responsibilities, you face:
- Heavy Fines: Regulatory bodies (HSE) can levy massive penalties for non-compliance.
- Litigation: Long-term health claims from employees or contractors can be devastating.
- Business Interruption: A discovered asbestos spill can shut down your entire operation for weeks of costly decontamination.
Training and Communication
An AMP is useless if it sits in a drawer. You must ensure that you train your staff so that you ensure your employees understand the risks associated with unauthorised DIY repairs. You should also ensure that every external contractor signs off on the asbestos register before starting work. Lastly, make sure that your AMP is reviewed every 12 months, or sooner if the building’s layout changes at all. Managing asbestos isn’t about clearing out every fibre immediately; it’s about control and communication. A robust Asbestos Management Plan protects your people, your reputation, and your bottom line. For more information on our accredited courses, get in touch with Boss Training today.