Routine maintenance in older buildings? Asbestos may be hidden in the materials you're about to disturb.
Routine building maintenance, plumbing repairs, electrical work, HVAC servicing, ceiling access, frequently disturbs materials that may contain asbestos. Pipe insulation, ceiling tiles, floor adhesives, cable ducts, and partition walls in pre-2000 buildings are all common locations.
Maintenance workers who are unaware of asbestos locations are at significant risk of accidental exposure. Before any invasive maintenance work in an older building, the asbestos register must be checked and workers must be informed of any asbestos-containing materials in the work area.
If no register exists, one must be created. If the planned work will disturb identified asbestos materials, specialist removal or management procedures must be implemented before maintenance can proceed.
The Problem
Office building maintenance, HVAC servicing, plumbing repairs, electrical upgrades, and IT infrastructure work, regularly involves accessing ceiling voids, floor cavities, and service risers where asbestos materials are commonly found in pre-2000 buildings.
Facility managers must ensure that all maintenance contractors are briefed on asbestos locations before starting work. A permit-to-work system linked to the asbestos register prevents accidental disturbance and provides an audit trail of safe working practices.
What You Need
Frequently Asked Questions
Can maintenance workers accidentally disturb asbestos?
Yes, routine maintenance activities such as drilling, cutting, cable routing, and accessing ceiling voids frequently disturb ACMs. Building managers must ensure all maintenance staff are asbestos-awareness trained and that the asbestos register is consulted before any intrusive work begins.
How do I check if routine maintenance could disturb asbestos?
Before any maintenance work in a pre-2000 building, consult the asbestos register and management plan. If the register does not cover the work area, or if materials may be disturbed, a targeted survey should be conducted before work begins.
What training do building maintenance staff need regarding asbestos?
All maintenance workers who may encounter asbestos must complete asbestos awareness training covering: identification of common ACMs, understanding the asbestos register, procedures when ACMs are found or accidentally disturbed, use of appropriate PPE, and reporting requirements. This training must be refreshed regularly and is a legal requirement in most jurisdictions.
What do I do if I was exposed to asbestos at work?
Report the exposure to your employer immediately and ensure it is documented. You should also visit your GP, request the incident be recorded on your health record, and contact HSE if your employer fails to act.
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