What should I do if I find or disturb suspected asbestos?
Updated · UK law and HSE guidance
Short answer
If you find material that may contain asbestos, stop work and tell your employer or the building owner. Keep people away and do not cut, sweep, vacuum or remove it. Check the asbestos register or survey and obtain competent advice. If material was disturbed, stop immediately and follow the site's emergency arrangements.
| First action | Stop work immediately |
|---|---|
| Area | Keep others away and prevent further disturbance |
| Information | Check the asbestos register or relevant survey |
| Assumption | Confirm the material or presume it contains asbestos |
| Removal | Do not attempt it without appropriate assessment, training and controls |
| Licensed work | Some asbestos work must use a licensed contractor |
Stop and protect the area
Cease the activity without making more dust. Warn nearby people, restrict entry and follow the site's reporting procedure. Do not sweep, use an ordinary vacuum, break off a sample or carry contaminated material through the building. If fibres may have been released, avoid spreading contamination on clothing and wait for competent instructions on decontamination and re-entry.
- Turn off disturbing equipment if this can be done without further exposure
- Close doors or establish a suitable exclusion area
- Record who may have been present without speculating about dose
Check information and obtain advice
Tell the employer, person in charge or building duty holder. They should check the asbestos register and survey, but a previous survey may not cover intrusive work or every concealed location. The material should be confirmed by appropriate competent analysis or treated as asbestos. A refurbishment or demolition survey may be needed before work that breaks into the building fabric continues.
- Do not restart because the material merely looks unlike asbestos
- Use competent survey and analytical services
- Update the register and plans when new information is confirmed
Plan any further work correctly
All work liable to disturb asbestos requires assessment, planning, suitable controls and appropriately trained workers. Some higher-risk work can be done only by a licensed asbestos contractor; some non-licensed work remains notifiable and subject to additional requirements. Asbestos-awareness training does not authorise work on asbestos. Review the original task controls before resuming. SitePaper can document general findings, but specialist asbestos decisions require competent advice.
- Confirm the work category before appointment
- Communicate the location and condition to anyone liable to disturb it
- Investigate the incident and prevent recurrence
Sources
- HSE: A worker's guide to asbestos safety
- HSE: Asbestos frequently asked questions
- HSE: Asbestos essentials emergency guidance
This guide summarises UK law and HSE guidance for small businesses. It is not legal advice; check the sources and your own circumstances.