Looking for asbestos removal services near you? Find specialists on Facilitiesline

Around 5,000 people die annually in the UK from asbestos-related diseases¹. Many of these cases are linked to workplace exposure in older buildings. Despite a complete ban in 1999, asbestos remains present in thousands of commercial and industrial facilities built before 2000. For facilities managers, identifying reliable and compliant asbestos specialists is critical to protecting building occupants and avoiding severe legal penalties.  

This guide explains: 

• What asbestos is 
• Why proper management is essential 
• How Facilitiesline connects you with verified asbestos testing and removal services across the UK 

Are you an asbestos specialist? Take a look at this blog instead and learn how to find asbestos removal jobs near you… 

 

What is Asbestos and why does it matter? 

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral once widely used in construction for its exceptional heat resistance, insulating properties, and durability. The three main types found in UK buildings are chrysotile (white), amosite (brown), and crocidolite (blue). While these materials were valued for their practical applications, they pose a significant health threat. 

The danger lies in the microscopic fibres that are released when asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are disturbed or damaged. Inhaling these fibres can lead to serious and often fatal diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening. These conditions have long latency periods, meaning symptoms may not appear for decades after initial exposure. 

Because of its prevalence, any building constructed or refurbished before the year 2000 should be presumed to contain asbestos until proven otherwise. Managing this risk is not just a safety precaution – it is a legal necessity. 

 

Where Asbestos hides in your facilities and buildings 

Asbestos can be found in numerous common building materials within commercial and industrial properties. Identifying these locations is the first step toward effective management. 

Common places to find asbestos include: 

• Ceiling tiles and insulation 

• Pipe lagging and boiler insulation 

• Asbestos cement roofing and wall panels 

• Vinyl floor tiles and associated adhesives 

• Sprayed coatings on structural beams 

• Artex and other textured wall finishes 

Some areas, like plant rooms, basements, and older HVAC systems, are considered high-risk due to the frequent presence of friable (easily crumbled) asbestos. Other zones may be lower risk if the ACMs are intact and unlikely to be disturbed. However, visual identification alone is never sufficient. Professional asbestos testing is the only way to confirm its presence and type. 

 

Legal responsibilities for Facilities Managers 

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) places a clear ‘duty to manage’ on the person responsible for a building, which is often the facilities manager. This duty includes several key obligations to ensure safety and compliance. 

Your legal responsibilities as a Facilities Manager include: 

• Conducting surveys: Arranging for UKAS-accredited asbestos surveys to identify and assess the condition of ACMs. 
• Maintaining a register: Creating and keeping an up-to-date asbestos register that details the location and condition of all known or presumed ACMs. 
• Implementing a management plan: Developing and actioning an asbestos management plan (AMP) that outlines how the risks will be controlled. 
• Informing others: Ensuring contractors, employees, and other building users are aware of the locations of ACMs before starting any work. 

Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to severe consequences. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can issue unlimited fines and pursue prosecution. Non-compliance can also result in costly project delays and leave you vulnerable to liability claims. As a duty holder, you must proactively manage asbestos risks to protect everyone who uses your facility. 

 

The importance of Professional Asbestos Surveys 

An asbestos survey is the foundation of your management plan. It provides the essential information needed to assess risk and make informed decisions. There are two primary types of surveys. 

• Management survey: This is a standard inspection used to locate the presence and extent of any presumed ACMs in a building. It assesses their condition and the likelihood of being disturbed during normal occupancy. This survey helps you create your asbestos register and management plan. 
• Refurbishment & Demolition Survey: This is a more intrusive survey required before any major construction, renovation, or demolition work. It involves destructive inspection techniques to access all areas, including those that are difficult to reach, to identify all ACMs. 

A comprehensive, UKAS-accredited survey provides identification, risk assessment, laboratory testing of samples, and clear, actionable recommendations. This accreditation ensures the survey is accurate, reliable, and compliant with regulatory standards. 

 

Why is Asbestos Testing important? 

Once a survey identifies potential ACMs, testing is required for confirmation. This process is non-negotiable, as it provides definitive proof of asbestos presence and type, which dictates the necessary safety procedures. 

The testing process involves a qualified professional carefully extracting a sample of the material. This sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis, typically using polarised light microscopy (PLM). The results will confirm whether asbestos is present and, if so, what kind. This information is critical for determining whether the material needs to be removed, encapsulated, or can be safely managed in place. Only qualified professionals should take samples to avoid the accidental release of dangerous fibres. 

 

Asbestos Removal: When and how it should be done 

If testing confirms the presence of high-risk or deteriorating asbestos, you must decide on the best course of action. Removal is often necessary during planned refurbishments, demolitions, or when ACMs are in poor condition and pose an immediate risk. 

An alternative to removal is encapsulation, where an intact ACM is sealed with a protective coating to prevent fibre release. While this can be a safe option for low-risk, undisturbed materials, removal offers a permanent solution. 

The removal process is highly regulated and must follow strict procedures. This includes a pre-removal survey, setting up contained work areas, using specialised personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe waste disposal. For high-risk ACMs like pipe lagging or sprayed coatings, the work must be carried out by an HSE-licensed contractor. After removal, air monitoring and a clearance certificate are required before the area can be safely reoccupied. 

 

Find Asbestos specialists on Facilitiesline 

Facilitiesline is the UK’s leading facilities management supply chain compliance platform, designed to help facilities managers navigate complex challenges like asbestos management. Our platform simplifies the process of finding and verifying specialist contractors. 

With Facilitiesline, you can: 

• Access thousands of pre-qualified asbestos removal and testing suppliers. 
• Verify supplier credentials in real time, including HSE licences, UKAS accreditation, and insurance. 
• Save countless hours on manual supplier vetting and pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs). 
• Monitor supplier compliance across all your sites with intuitive dashboards. 
• Receive alerts if a supplier’s verification status changes. 

By centralising oversight, you can manage your asbestos specialists alongside all other FM contractors in a single, streamlined platform. This early visibility into supplier compliance mitigates risk, protects your organisation’s reputation, and prevents costly project disruptions. 

 

Key takeaways 

Proactive asbestos management is a non-negotiable responsibility. To recap the most important points: 

• Asbestos remains a significant risk in any UK building constructed before 2000. 
• Under CAR 2012, facilities managers have a legal duty to identify, assess, and manage ACMs. 
• Professional, UKAS-accredited asbestos surveys and testing are essential for accurate risk assessment. 
• High-risk asbestos must be handled by licensed contractors to ensure safe and compliant removal. 
• Facilitiesline streamlines supplier verification, giving you confidence that your asbestos specialists are compliant and qualified. 

Delays in asbestos management can have severe consequences for health, legal standing, and project timelines. Taking control of your compliance is essential. 

 

Book a Demo for Facilitiesline’s Facility Supply Chain Management Solution 

See for yourself how Facilitiesline simplifies asbestos supplier management and benefit from: 

• How to use real-time compliance tracking 
• Access our network of pre-qualified suppliers 
• Learn how to use data-driven insights to improve your decision-making 

Manage asbestos risks with confidence.