Asbestos Removal | Ferncroft Environmental Isle of Man

Asbestos - Isle of Man

Here on the Isle of Man, asbestos including management in premises and work with it, is now subject to specific asbestos legislation with the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate regulating health and safety across a range of industry sectors throughout the Isle of Man including asbestos.

This page hopefully answers and guides you through the legal requirements when dealing with asbestos on the island...

Asbestos Legislation

On the 21 June 2022 the Control of Asbestos (Application) Order 2022 and the Health and Safety at Work (Managing and Working with Asbestos Code of Practice) (Application) Order 2022 were approved by Tynwald, these orders apply the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 an act of Parliament and its accompanying approved code of practice (ACOP) to the Isle of Man.

These regulations come into force on the 1 August 2022 and require duty holders to identify and manage asbestos in non-domestic premises and for the first time introduces a prohibition on the supply of asbestos and materials with asbestos added. They also introduce a requirement to obtain a licence from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) before working on licensable asbestos containing products.

The Managing and Working with Asbestos Code of Practice provides a recommended method of meeting the requirements of the applied Regulations, and brings the island into line with the UK legislation.

Managing and Working with Asbestos

The Isle of Man asbestos regulations, primarily the Control of Asbestos (Application) Order 2022, are aimed at anyone with responsibility for managing or working in non-domestic buildings constructed before the year 2000, where asbestos may be present, including building owners, landlords, employers, and tradespeople. The regulations also apply to contractors, demolition and construction companies, maintenance staff, and employees working in buildings that may contain asbestos.

Dutyholders

Who are the duty holders and what are there responsibilities?

Building owners and occupiers: Those who own or are responsible for the upkeep of non-domestic buildings.
Landlords: Responsible for managing asbestos in their properties.
Employers: Responsible for the health and safety of their employees who may be exposed to asbestos.
Self-employed workers: Required to ensure they are not exposing themselves or others to asbestos.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/duty/index.htm#video

For those who have the responsibility for the upkeep of Non Domestic premises, including the communal areas in Domestic premise, you are going to need an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP), to allow you to comply with the required statutory provision. The consequences of not complying could lead to unplanned release of asbestos, worker exposure and ultimate prosecution. The requirement to have in place an AMP is to enable the duty holder to manage and plan routine maintenance work without the risk of asbestos exposure.

What Does this Actually Mean?

In simple terms, if you occupy a building constructed before the year 2000 and are the Duty Holder you are going to require an asbestos survey undertaking (if you haven't already done so) so you can prepare your AMP. With over 45 years of working with asbestos, we have seen all the changes and are here to offer and assist you in becoming compliant.

Specific workers and industries

Tradespeople and contractors: Electricians, plumbers, and others who may disturb asbestos during repairs or maintenance.
Construction and demolition companies: Need to take specific precautions during building work, especially in older buildings.
Facilities management staff: Responsible for the ongoing maintenance and safety of premises.
Staff working in pre-2000 buildings: Anyone who works in an environment that may contain asbestos needs to be aware of the risks.

What Does this Actually Mean?

Its about protecting people from the harm caused by asbestos by reducing the risk and liability and fully complying with the requirements of the Control of Asbestos (Application) Order 2022. The way we do this is to ensure that all our employees receive asbestos awareness training, so they know to ask for the AMP and survey before starting any works on the fabric of the building. In other words they are checking with the register to make sure that the area where they are working is free of asbestos or if present, defer the planned work, until the asbestos is dealt with by asbestos removal professionals. you can find more information on training for your staff, trades people and contractors on our training section.