Asbestos management plans are an important safety measure for the owners or managers of properties that may contain asbestos. The duty to manage asbestos requires you to assess and document all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in your property as well as produce a management plan to avoid exposure, in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012).
However, producing your plan cannot simply be a once-only event. Over time, the condition of the building, its occupants and patterns of usage may change, so your asbestos management plan needs to be updated regularly to stay relevant and actionable.
How Often Should An Asbestos Management Plan Be Reviewed?
It is the duty holder’s responsibility to ensure that asbestos management plans are kept up-to-date and reviewed whenever the building changes. At a minimum, the plans should be reviewed every 12 months. This ensures that any unnoticed changes to the building or the condition of ACMs within it can be spotted in a timely fashion and the plans updated accordingly.
If there are changes to the premises or its mode of use, asbestos management plans must be updated as soon as possible. For example, accidental damage to the fabric of the building, renovation works, or an alteration of primary use should all prompt a plan revision. The asbestos register must be updated whenever work is done on asbestos materials.
Who Should Conduct The Review?
An asbestos management plan is usually commissioned by the duty holder. It may be carried out by the same person too, but it can also be performed by any suitably competent individual delegated by the duty holder. For peace of mind, it can be worthwhile getting external help from an asbestos-specific consultancy service such as OMC Consultants.
What Does A Review Involve?
The review requires the inspection of all recorded ACMs in the property, looking for signs of damage or deterioration. ACMs’ condition should be noted, as well as any requirements for repair.
As well as assessing the building itself, the review should check that asbestos management procedures have been effectively put in place. The reviewer must verify that responsible individuals know their roles in actioning the plan. Any failures in management procedures should be noted and amendments made to retain compliance with the CAR 2012 regulations.
Expert Advice From OMC Consultants
OMC Consultants have extensive expertise in all aspects of asbestos management and removal. Our team of consultants can advise and assist you with creating and reviewing asbestos management plans. We’ll also guide you through the best actions if you need to take remedial action on asbestos in your property. For more advice and details on our services, please contact us today.
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