ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the management of asbestos in buildings in conjunction with the legislation surrounding it, how to identify the presence of asbestos, preparing a management plan and managing exposure, and monitoring and reviewing arrangements in place. Asbestos was used as a building material for many years and, although its use as such is now prohibited, it can still be found in a variety of locations in workplaces that were built or modified prior to 1999. There are comprehensive regulations covering work activities with asbestos; if work is to be undertaken with asbestos, then it may be that the work is best left to a specialist contractor. The presence of asbestos in the workplace does not automatically mean that it has to be removed: danger will only arise when asbestos fibres are released into the atmosphere. The emphasis is to “manage” asbestos through its identification, classification, and control of exposure. In order to manage asbestos in the workplace, employers must first be aware of where the material is situated. Employers and persons in control of buildings should ensure that a competent person surveys the building for potential asbestos products to determine what action needs to be taken to prevent exposure.
