CAR 2012: HSE Control of Asbestos Rules

Regulatory citation: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/632)

What Are the Control of Asbestos Regulations?

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR) set out how asbestos must be managed in non-domestic premises in Great Britain and how work with asbestos must be carried out. Although asbestos use has been banned in the UK since 1999, it remains in many buildings built or refurbished before 2000.

Why CAR Matters

Asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, are the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain. Tradespeople who disturb asbestos unknowingly during maintenance and refurbishment are at particular risk.

Core Requirements

1. Duty to Manage (Regulation 4)

The dutyholder for non-domestic premises must find out whether asbestos is present, assess its condition, keep an up-to-date record of its location, prepare a plan to manage the risk, and share the information with anyone likely to disturb it.

2. Identify Asbestos Before Work

Before any building, maintenance or demolition work, employers must identify whether asbestos is present, usually through an asbestos survey, and assess the risk.

3. Licensed Work

Most work with higher-risk materials, such as sprayed coatings, pipe lagging and most asbestos insulating board, must be done by a contractor licensed by HSE. Licensed work must generally be notified to the enforcing authority at least 14 days before it starts.

4. Notifiable Non-Licensed Work

Some lower-risk work doesn't need a license but must still be notified before it starts. Workers doing this work must have medical examinations at least every three years, and records of exposure must be kept.

5. Control Limit

Exposure must be kept as low as reasonably practicable and must not exceed the control limit of 0.1 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter of air, averaged over four hours.

6. Training

Anyone liable to disturb asbestos during their work, or who supervises such workers, must receive asbestos awareness training, with refresher training every year. More detailed training is required for people who work with asbestos.

Common Compliance Approaches

Asbestos Register and Management Plan

Keep the register and plan where contractors can easily check them before starting work, and update them after any removal or new findings.

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

Commission a refurbishment and demolition survey before intrusive work, not just a management survey.

Permit to Work Controls

Require a check of the asbestos register before issuing permits for drilling, cutting or other intrusive tasks.

Example: CAR in Practice

A school plans to replace ceiling tiles in several classrooms during the summer break. Its asbestos register shows asbestos insulating board in one ceiling void. The school commissions a refurbishment survey, hires an HSE-licensed contractor to remove the board, and confirms the contractor notifies HSE at least 14 days before work starts. After removal, the area is cleared with a certificate of reoccupation and the register is updated.

Related regulations: WHS Asbestos Regulations (Australia), EPA Asbestos NESHAP, HSE CDM 2015.

Note: This summary reflects the regulations as they apply in Great Britain, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities. Northern Ireland has equivalent but separate legislation. Always check the current legislation and HSE guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has the duty to manage asbestos?

The duty to manage applies to non-domestic premises and falls on whoever is responsible for maintenance and repair, through a contract or tenancy, or the person in control of the premises if there's no contract. This includes the common parts of domestic buildings, such as stairwells and plant rooms.

What is the control limit for asbestos?

The control limit is 0.1 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter of air, averaged over a continuous four-hour period. Exposure must be kept as low as reasonably practicable and below this limit.

How often is asbestos awareness training required?

Workers liable to disturb asbestos must receive asbestos awareness training, and refresher training should be given every year, according to HSE's Approved Code of Practice.