An Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) is a document that helps manage and control buildings in relation to preventing asbestos exposure and safeguarding site staff and visitors. It is meant to be a simple, centrally located document with clear and concise details and although it can be paper based however, more and more businesses are finding it easier to record their plans electronically with computerised records.
Do I need an Asbestos Management Plan?
If asbestos has been identified in the workplace through a survey and following Asbestos Register, then you are legally required to put an Asbestos Management Plan in place. The duty to manage asbestos is contained in regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require every non-domestic property to have an Asbestos Management Plan. This document is intended to explain how the person responsible for the building, the Duty Holder, intends to manage the asbestos present to prevent persons being exposed to the asbestos. Duty-holders without an asbestos management plan could face a fine of up to £20,000 or up to 6 months imprisonment. More serious breaches of regulations result in unlimited fines and up to two years imprisonment as non-compliance includes exposing individuals to asbestos risk.
What should it contain?
- Who is responsible for managing asbestos
- The asbestos register you have just made
- Plans for work on asbestos materials
- The schedule for monitoring the materials’ condition
- Telling people about your decisions
The Asbestos Management Plan should identify the roles and responsibilities of owners, management and duty holders and identify who is the deputy duty holder in the event of the duty holder’s absence. Where there are training needs these also need to be identified as part of the plan, together with how and when they are going to be met. A good plan will also include project management guidance for any work to be carried out on the property and a clear audit trail and accurate reports for stakeholders, regulators and local authorities.
Whom does it cover?
An Asbestos Management Plan protects anyone undertaking any work of an intrusive nature in any building constructed or refurbished before the year 2000. The main people at risk include:-
- Construction workers, demolition workers, roofers, electricians, painters, plumbers, gas fitters, surveyors, plasterers
- Anyone dealing with electronics, IT, phone engineers
- General maintenance engineers
When should it be reviewed?
It’s important to note that the Asbestos Management Plan is to be compiled and written before any repair or maintenance work is carried out on the premises. Asbestos materials must then be monitored on a regular basis (every 6-12 months) and the asbestos register and management plan must be updated to reflect any deterioration in their condition. An Asbestos Management Plan is not a one-off job. It will need to be kept up-to-date for as long as you have asbestos-containing materials present in your buildings.
For further information on Asbestos Management Plans, please contact us here.