Asbestos is the greatest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain. Around 5,000 people die every year from asbestos-related diseases which typically take decades to develop and cannot be cured. Asbestos was used in many industries and buildings until it was banned in 1999. However, while asbestos continues to be safely removed, much of this material is still in place in buildings built before 2000. This means people who work in older buildings could still be exposed to asbestos fibres today if asbestos is not managed effectively, and is damaged or disturbed.

‘Asbestos: Your Duty’ was launched in January 2024, aiming to improve understanding of what the legal requirement to manage asbestos involves. This presentation covers some of the information and tools that can be obtained from HSE’s website including new templates (including an asbestos management plan template) and explanatory video resources to help anyone who is unsure of their legal duties.