L143 Managing and Working with Asbestos

This publication contains the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance text. Two ACOPs, L127 (The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises) and L143 (Work with materials containing asbestos) have been consolidated into this single revised ACOP. The presentation and language has been updated wherever possible. It provides guidance text for employers about work which disturbs, or is likely to disturb, asbestos, asbestos sampling and laboratory analysis. It also provides guidance on the specific duty to manage asbestos on the owners and/or those responsible for maintenance in non-domestic premises.

The Regulations set out your legal duties and the ACOP and guidance give practical advice on how to comply with those requirements. The Regulations give minimum standards for protecting employees from risks associated with exposure to asbestos.

The Regulations came into force on 6 April 2012, updating and replacing the previous 2006 law. They contain new requirements for certain types of non-licensable work with asbestos on notification of work; designating areas where you are working on asbestos; medical surveillance and record keeping.

HSG 210 full book.pdf

HSG 210 - Asbestos Essentials

Designed to be durable, practical and small enough to fit in your toolbox, Asbestos essentials uses a series of task sheets, with over 100 full colour photos and illustrations, to describe 'good practice' for non-licensed tasks and covers the action needed to reduce exposure to an adequate level.

It is aimed at all workers who may come into contact with asbestos, including electricians, builders, plumbers, carpenters etc. It will be useful to employees, the self-employed and managers.

Although the general content/guidance remains the same, this fourth edition has been updated in line with changes to the Asbestos Regulations and to better reflect asbestos guidance on HSE's website and the Asbestos Approved Code of Practice, L143.

hsg264 the survey guide.pdf

HSG 264 - The Survey Guide

This is a web-friendly version of HSG264 (Second edition, published 2012).

This version has been adapted for online use from HSE’s current printed version. You can buy the book at www.hsebooks.co.uk. ISBN 978 0 7176 6502 0 Price £17.50

This heavily illustrated publication replaces and expands on MDHS100, Surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos-containing materials. It is aimed at people carrying out asbestos surveys and people with specific responsibilities for managing asbestos in non-domestic premises under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The book covers competence and quality assurance and surveys, including: survey planning, carrying out surveys, the survey report and the dutyholder’s use of the survey information. It includes extensive appendices and references.

hsg227 A guide to managing asbestos in premises.pdf

HSG 227 - A comprehensive guide

This guidance is aimed at people who have a duty to manage the risks from asbestos–containing materials in the premises, ie building owners, tenants and anyone else who has any legal responsibilities for workplaces. The guidance expands on that given in the free leaflet A short guide to managing asbestos in premises, INDG223(rev3) - it will be useful to those in more complex organisations.

A short guide to asbestos management

HSG 53 Respiratory Protective Equipment at work

HSG53 (Fourth edition, published 2013).

You can buy the book at www.hsebooks.co.uk and most bookshops.

ISBN 978 0 7176 6454 2

This book provides guidance on the selection and use of adequate and suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in the workplace, in order to comply with the law. It tells you when you can use RPE, using a simple step-by-step approach.

It helps you to decide the adequate level of protection for a given hazardous substance and how to select RPE that is suitable for the particular wearer, task and work environment. It also contains advice on how to make sure that the selected RPE keeps working effectively.

HSG 248 ((Second Edition) Corrected) The Analysts Guide

This guidance is for analysts involved in asbestos work. It is the authoritative source of asbestos analytical procedures within Great Britain.

The guidance has been updated to take account of findings from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) interventions and developments in analytical procedures and methodology. It provides clarification on technical and personal safety issues, especially in relation to sampling and 4-stage clearances. New information on sampling soils for asbestos is included.

The guidance is designed to assist analysts in complying with their legal obligations. The publication should also be useful to asbestos consultants, occupational hygienists, safety professionals, asbestos removal contractors, building owners and facilities managers.

This July 2021 amended version includes corrections to:

Tables A2.6, A4.2, A4.3 and A6.4
Figures A2.7 and A2.8
Appendix 4: Annex 3
The sentence specifying the use of toluene and cyclohexane in sample treatment has been removed from para A2.21.
The explanation as to how polyethylene fibres can be distinguished from chrysotile by analysts using PLM has been changed at paragraph A2.61.

Please Note: Analysts should note that local printing of the HSE reference sample images on pages 128 and 129 from this web version is unlikely to produce sufficiently high-quality reproduction for reference purposes.