Guide

Asbestos Management in Buildings: Obligations for Employers and Property Owners

31 August 202611 min readby amianto.info Editorial Team

In every country where asbestos has been widely used, there is a legal framework requiring owners and occupiers of non-domestic buildings to identify, assess, and actively manage any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present. The principle is the same worldwide: someone must be responsible for knowing where the asbestos is, what condition it is in, and what to do about it. This guide explains that framework in global terms, with examples drawn from multiple jurisdictions.

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Key takeaways

In most countries, building owners and employers have a legal duty to identify, register, and manage asbestos in non-domestic buildings.
The duty holder must maintain an asbestos register: a record of where ACMs are, their condition, and any actions taken.
A written asbestos management plan sets out how ACMs will be monitored, maintained, or removed.
Contractors must be given access to the asbestos register before doing any work that could disturb ACMs.

Who is responsible for managing asbestos in a building?

Most national frameworks designate a "duty holder" — the person or organisation legally responsible for ensuring asbestos in a building is identified and managed. Terminology varies:

United Kingdom: the "duty to manage" under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) applies to the owner or any person who has, by virtue of a contract or tenancy, an obligation to maintain or repair non-domestic premises. The dutyholde must take reasonable steps to determine if ACMs are present, assess the condition, produce a written management plan, and review it periodically.
Australia: the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and its associated regulations designate a "Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking" (PCBU) as the duty holder. The PCBU must manage asbestos risks in workplaces, which includes commissioning an asbestos register and, where ACMs are identified, an asbestos management plan.
United States: the