HSE issues asbestos improvement notices to 22% of Kent sites

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued asbestos-related improvement notices to 22% of the sites it visited in Kent.

Inspectors visited 151 sites in Thanet, Cantebury, Dartford and Dover, and issued 33 improvement notices. It also issued two prohibition notices.

The measures are part of a campaign to remind business of their responsibilities under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

Asbestos-related diseases are still the largest occupational killers in the UK with around 4,000 deaths per year, which is 15 times the fatal accident rate.

Regulations require that companies take a number of measures including:

• Taking reasonable steps to find asbestos on the premises and assess the condition of the materials;
• Presuming that materials do contain asbestos unless there is evidence they do not;
• Preparing a record of the location and condition of the asbestos-containing materials and assessing the risk of them;
• Preparing and implementing a plan to manage the risks;
• Giving information on the location and condition of the material to anyone who is liable to disturb it;
• Monitoring the condition of the material left in place.

Mike Walters, HM principal inspector of the HSE in Kent said: "It is disappointing to note that 25% of the premises are failing significantly in their duty which has resulted in enforcement notices being served. Duty holders need to check if they are taking reasonable steps to ensure that asbestos is adequately managed in their premises."