Asbestos
By the Riskora Editorial Team · Last reviewed
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals widely used in UK construction until the 1999 ban — still present in millions of buildings and the single biggest occupational killer of UK workers.
Any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 must be assumed to contain asbestos until proven otherwise. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require duty-holders to manage that risk.
A management survey identifies asbestos that may be disturbed during normal occupation and use. A refurbishment / demolition (R&D) survey is required before any intrusive work and is the type construction contractors must check before they start.
Licensed asbestos work (most insulation, sprayed coatings, lagging) requires a licensed contractor. Non-licensed work (some textured coatings, asbestos cement) still requires notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) controls in many cases.
Why it matters
Asbestos kills around 5,000 UK workers each year — more than die in road traffic accidents. Almost every case originates in unplanned exposure during routine maintenance or refurbishment.