Risk, Health and Safety Information

Views sought on consolidated asbestos code of practice

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a consultation on changes to the content of an Asbestos-related Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) that will consolidate two existing documents.

Following an initial consultation in June 2012, it was agreed by the HSE Board that a number of ACOPs would be revised, consolidated or withdrawn in line with the recommendation by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt in his report 'Reclaiming health and safety for all'.

For the ACOPs dealing with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), L127 (The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises) and L143 (Work with materials containing asbestos), the proposal to consolidate the two ACOPs into a single revised ACOP (L143) was approved.

The draft ACOP provides practical guidance on how dutyholders can comply with the requirements of CAR 2012, meet their legal obligations and so reduce the risks of over compliance. Legal responsibilities to protect workers' health and safety are not altered by any changes to ACOPs.

The consolidated draft is now subject to a 12-week consultation ending on 30 September 2013.

Dependent on the outcome of the consultation and ministerial approval, the ACOP will be published by the end of the year.