Farmers told to take action on asbestos

Posted September 4, 2023

Farmers Urged to Take Action on Asbestos

Farmers must act now to manage asbestos on their properties, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This comes after unannounced farm inspections resulted in fines for health and safety breaches.

Legal Obligations for Farmers

Farmers are legally required to protect workers and visitors under:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

This means farms, categorized as “non-domestic” properties, must manage asbestos responsibly. Family members, including children, often live on farms, increasing the need for compliance.

Asbestos on Farms: A Common Concern

Many farm buildings, especially older ones, are constructed with asbestos-containing materials, such as barn roofs. Without proper management, asbestos exposure poses serious health risks, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

The HSE outlines these requirements in its publication, “What a Good Farm Looks Like”. A key step is creating an asbestos management plan, which begins with an asbestos survey to locate and assess asbestos on the property.

Demolition Work and Asbestos Surveys

If you plan any demolition on your farm, you must first conduct an asbestos demolition survey. This type of survey is more intrusive, identifying all asbestos that must be removed before demolition begins.

Handling Asbestos Safely

While most farm buildings contain non-licensed asbestos, an asbestos survey is the only way to confirm this. Handling asbestos requires a competent person who has:

Completed CAT B training.
Undergone an asbestos medical within the last 5 years.
Proper insurance for asbestos removal.
Completed risk assessments.

It’s always safer and more cost-effective to hire experts like Complete Asbestos Surveys for asbestos management and removal.

How We Can Help

At Complete Asbestos Surveys, we:

Conduct asbestos surveys.
Create tailored asbestos management plans.
Handle non-licensed asbestos removal and manage licensed removals.

Our services ensure your farm complies with HSE regulations and keeps everyone safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are farmers’ legal obligations for asbestos management?
A: Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, farmers must protect workers and visitors from asbestos exposure. This includes creating an asbestos management plan and conducting surveys.

Q: Why is asbestos a significant concern on farms?
A: Asbestos is common in farm buildings, particularly barn roofs. Exposure risks are higher on farms where family members, including children, live. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to serious health issues.

Q: How can farmers comply with regulations and ensure safety?
A: Start with an asbestos survey to identify ACMs. For demolition, conduct a demolition survey. Hire trained professionals with proper certifications to handle asbestos removal safely and legally.