February 28, 2003—UK Health and Safety minister Nick Brown has urged owners and occupiers of commercial and public buildings in Britain to act quickly to stop people dying from asbestos-related diseases.
The minister was speaking in London at a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conference to encourage people to comply with the new duty to manage asbestos regulation, which comes into force on 21st May 2004.
The conference was attended by 250 delegates, representing owners and occupiers of commercial and public buildings, and other groups such as trade unions, trade associations and interest groups.
Bill Macdonald, head of HSEs asbestos policy unit said: “Many organizations are becoming aware, often for the first time, of the need to find out if they have asbestos in their buildings and manage any risk. However, much hard work still needs to be done to convert this knowledge into effective compliance, and this will not be achieved without the active involvement of all those organizations with influence.”
The duty to manage, which takes effect from 21 May 2004, is part of the Control of Asbestos At Work Regulations 2002 (CAWR). It will require those with responsibilities for the repair and maintenance of non-domestic premises to find out if there are, or may be, asbestos-containing materials within them, and to manage them safely.
-Fiona Perrin
Reprinted with permission; copyright 2003 i-FM
