Asbestos was used in a vast array of materials within buildings until its use was finally abolished in 1999. The government sets out specific legislation and guidance to encompass the management of asbestos materials within non-domestic premises (including the common areas of residential blocks).

Asbestos has some unique properties, such as:  resistance to heat & fire, resistance to electric current, resistance to high temperatures, resistance to acids and alkalis, sound absorbency.

6 million tonnes of asbestos has been imported into the UK since the early 1900s.

The main uses of asbestos in buildings are in sprayed coatings, lagging, insulation boards, asbestos cement products and in decorative plaster finishes.

Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is breathed in. Asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos-related diseases kill more people than any other single work-related illness.

The Duty Holder has responsibilities regarding the management of asbestos materials within non-domestic premises.  This duty extends to the common parts of premises, including housing developments and blocks of flats.

The Duty Holders are those people with responsibility of the maintenance or repairing of non-domestic premises, and the owner of those premises whether they are occupied or vacant.  This could include occupier or landlord; sub-lessor or managing agent In all these cases, Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations will apply, but the extent of practical duties will be determined by contractual and other legal obligations.

It is the Duty Holder's responsibility to ensure an asbestos survey is conducted and an asbestos management plan implemented.

Under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012), the Duty Holder must:

• Take reasonable steps to find asbestos materials within premises and to check their condition;
• Presume that materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence to suppose they do not;
• Make a written record of the location and condition of asbestos and presumed asbestos-containing materials and keep records up to date;
• Assess the likelihood of anyone being exposed to these materials; and
• Prepare a plan to manage the risk and put it into effect to ensure that asbestos-containing materials are: kept in good condition, repaired or, if necessary, removed, and information on the materials is given to anyone potentially at risk.