PROPOSED changes to Control of Asbestos at work regulations means all employers must take steps to check their property is in order and poses no health risk, warns Darren Hughes of property consultants Fuller Peiser.

"New regulations are being introduced in 2001/2002 which will place legal obligations on all employers who occupy property to assess whether asbestos is present in their premises, and to manage the associated health risks," said Mr Hughes.

Although asbestos is no longer used in construction, a complete ban was not introduced until November 1999. This means that asbestos, which is still the main occupational killer in the UK today, is present in many buildings and is at risk from being damaged during refurbishment, demolition or standard maintenance and repair works.

"Changes to the Control of Asbestos at Work regulations are proposed to control the health risks to employees and contractors working in buildings containing asbestos," continues Hughes. "Asbestos materials in good, safe condition, which are not releasing fibres, will probably not need to be removed."

Three different types of survey will need to be undertaken, depending on the

property and the proposed future for it.

The first and lowest level is a location and assessment survey, where any materials which cannot be categorically confirmed as being asbestos-free must be assumed to contain asbestos.

The second level of survey will then sample these areas to confirm or refute the presumptions made in the level one survey.

The third level of survey will probably only become necessary if the building is to be demolished or a major refurbishment is undertaken. It will involve full access, opening up and testing of the structure and building elements to establish whether asbestos has been encased or hidden from view.

"Currently 3,000 people are killed by asbestos every year and this figure is set to rise to approximately 10,000 by 2020," says Darren Hughes. "The changes to the regulations are extensive and a sensible occupier and employer should be taking steps now to undertake surveys to protect employees and contractors working on or within their buildings.