The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006 Regulation 4 Duty to Manage is the obligation for the "Dutyholder" (Defined as the person(s) responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the premises) to manage any asbestos within a premises. The dutyholder has to take steps to ascertain whether asbestos materials are present within the premises by commissioning an asbestos management survey and introducing the appropriate asbestos management controls.

Asbestos Management Plans

If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic premises which may contain asbestos, or if you are responsible for the non-private, ie common parts of domestic premises (hall and lift areas in apartment blocks), you will either have:

• A legal duty to manage the risk from the material, or
• A duty to co-operate with whoever manages that risk

The asbestos management plan is formulated from the findings of an asbestos management survey. The document should provide comprehensive asbestos management procedures and detail the following:

• Asbestos policy/statement of intent
• Health risks
• Responsibilities and designated persons
• Asbestos management process
• Control arrangements
• Emergency protocols
• Work on asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and contractors
• Methods statements and risk assessments
• Record keeping and use of asbestos survey report
• Monitoring strategy
• Provision of information, instruction and training (Asbestos awareness training)
• Medical supervision
• Permits-to-work

The asbestos management plan will detail who is the dutyholder, and who will undertake the roles and responsibilities of asbestos responsible person (RP) and deputy RP. A plan of action can be devised from this information to repair/remove asbestos (if necessary) and to manage and minimise risk.

Call us on 0844 499 2999 for further details.