The Risks and Processes of Asbestos Management in Listed Properties

Duty to Manage Asbestos applies to all people with the responsibility to manage asbestos in a property. This includes Landlords, Building Owners, and the Person or Organisation with the clear responsibility for the building’s maintenance and repair. The purpose of Duty to Manage is to protect people from the risks associated with asbestos exposure, and therefore also applies to listed properties, where there are a set of regulations in place to protect a building and its structure.

Asbestos has been commercially mined since the mid Nineteenth Century, and is at risk of being present in Listed and Heritage Properties. The Management of Asbestos in these buildings can be complex, as the preservation of the assets and the health and safety and legal requirements of asbestos management can often be conflicting, with the argument that intervention to manage these risks can harm the heritage values.

There is the possibility that a building may be too old to contain asbestos, as industrial use of the material didn’t start until the industrial revolution. Therefore, if a building pre-dates 1800, it may be free from asbestos. However, any repairs or modernisations that have been conducted to the original structure may have introduced Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs).

These modernisation examples can include central heating systems and electrical installations. Over the years, listed properties may have seen several renovations, potentially concealing asbestos behind walls, under floors or within ceilings. This makes an asbestos survey essential, regardless of the age of the building or building portfolio, to determine the presence and condition of any ACMs.

The Challenges of Asbestos Management in Listed Properties

It is essential that the two statutory requirements of Safety Compliance and Cultural & Heritage Values are considered in proportion to each other, and not to compromise the health of building occupants and visitors with the risk of asbestos exposure.

As a result, tensions can arise between the desire for preservation and heritage protection, and compliance. However, by considering the circumstances of the listed property in question, any asbestos management or removal requirements can be fulfilled and undertaken sensitively, with both safety and conservation prioritised.

Best Practice for Asbestos Management in Listed Buildings

Upon the identification of ACMs, the person responsible for the Duty to Manage Asbestos must determine the best course of action, considering conservation and health and safety. In some instances, leaving ACMs in place and conducting regular inspections and maintenance may be the best approach. In other instances, careful removal could be necessary for the safety of building occupants.

Due to the priority of preservation, non-invasive methods of ACM management are often employed. These methods include encapsulation, which involves the operative applying a sealant to ACMs to prevent the release of fibres. This is an effective method for ACMs that are in a good condition and are unlikely to be disturbed.

As with any asbestos management works, it is essential that a licensed professional is present to ensure your compliance to Asbestos Legislation. Experts in the field can offer insightful advice on identifying and managing ACMs, recommending the best course of action, and ensuring preservation of the building’s historical integrity.

Creating a singular, comprehensive management plan for an entire estate is also viewed as best practice. This approach guarantees consistency in managing asbestos across different buildings within an estate. This plan will include up to date surveys, risk assessments, planned inspections and maintenance to monitor the condition of identified ACMs.

How can Casa help?

As one of the leading Asbestos Consultancies in the South, Casa is here to offer our assistance on all types of asbestos projects. We are proud to offer a bespoke end-to-end service that is tailored to suit your asbestos management needs.

Casa’s highly skilled and accredited consultants have the experience and expertise to provide quality asbestos management solutions for every type of project, devising an Asbestos Management Plan that covers:

• Who is responsible for the management of asbestos.
• The Asbestos Register (detailing the information and findings from the asbestos survey, such as the type of asbestos, its location and condition.
• The Schedule and Plan for monitoring the ACMs’ condition.
• Plans for any future renovation/ refurbishment work that may involve the ACMs.
• Communication strategies for informing people/ building visitors/ occupants who may disturb the asbestos about the management plan.
• A training schedule to ensure all people who may potentially come into contact with asbestos understand how to mitigate its risks.
• A contingency plan and emergency arrangements.