Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was mined and used extensively in the building industry in the UK before the dangers of the material were discovered. Its fibrous structure makes it strong, lightweight and resistant to heat and fire, which made it a popular choice for insulation and other applications. However, when asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are damaged, broken or worn, the fibers can be released into the air, where they can be inhaled and cause damage to the lungs.

Over time, exposure to asbestos can lead to serious diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, which can take several decades to develop. For this reason, the use of asbestos in building materials was banned in the UK in the 1990s, but many older buildings still contain ACMs. If you own or manage such a building, you have a legal duty to manage the risks of asbestos exposure to your workers, residents or visitors.

The first step in this process is to arrange for an asbestos survey to determine whether your building contains any ACMs, and if so, what condition they are in. This will help you to determine whether you need to remove or manage the asbestos, and what the associated costs of asbestos removal will be.