How to Create an Asbestos Management Plan for Your Business Property

Managing asbestos safely is a legal obligation and a vital step in protecting the health of your employees, contractors, and visitors. If your commercial property was built before 2000, there’s a significant chance it may contain asbestos. Creating a robust asbestos management plan is essential to ensure compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and to minimise health risks.

This guide outlines how to develop an effective plan, highlighting the critical roles of asbestos testing, an asbestos survey, and, where required, asbestos removal.

Why an Asbestos Management Plan Matters

Asbestos becomes dangerous when its fibres are disturbed and inhaled. Even though asbestos use was banned in the UK in 1999, many commercial properties still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). The purpose of an asbestos management plan is to:

• Identify the presence of asbestos

• Assess associated risks

• Define procedures to manage these risks

• Ensure ongoing compliance with UK asbestos regulations

A clear, actionable plan ensures a safe working environment and reduces the risk of legal penalties or costly remediation work later.

Step 1: Conduct an Asbestos Survey

The foundation of any asbestos management plan is a comprehensive asbestos survey. This must be carried out by a qualified professional and includes:

Management Survey

This standard survey identifies the location and condition of ACMs likely to be disturbed during normal occupancy or maintenance activities.

Refurbishment or Demolition Survey

This more intrusive survey is mandatory before any refurbishment or demolition work. It ensures that no ACMs are disturbed without proper control measures.

The results from an asbestos survey will inform every part of your plan, from labelling ACMs to determining if asbestos removal is necessary.

Step 2: Perform Asbestos Testing

Once ACMs are identified through the survey, asbestos testing confirms whether the materials actually contain asbestos fibres. Testing involves:

• Collecting samples from suspected materials

• Laboratory analysis to confirm the presence and type of asbestos

Accurate asbestos testing is critical for making informed decisions about how to manage or remove the materials safely and cost-effectively.

Step 3: Assess the Risk

After testing and surveying, each identified ACM should be risk-assessed based on:

• Type of asbestos present

• Condition of the material (damaged or intact)

• Likelihood of disturbance

• Accessibility and location

This information allows you to prioritise which materials require immediate action and which can be monitored over time.

Step 4: Decide on Management or Removal

Not all asbestos needs to be removed. If materials are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed, they can often be safely managed in place. However, asbestos removal may be required if:

• The ACMs are damaged or deteriorating

• They are located in high-traffic areas

• Upcoming works risk disturbing the materials

All asbestos removal must be handled by licensed contractors to comply with UK law and ensure safety.

Step 5: Create the Asbestos Register

The asbestos register is a live document that records the location, type, and condition of all known or presumed ACMs within the building. This register should include:

• A detailed floor plan

• Photos and notes from the asbestos survey

• Dates of surveys, inspections, and any remedial actions

• Test results from asbestos testing

The register must be updated regularly, especially after inspections, testing, or asbestos removal works.

Step 6: Develop the Written Management Plan

The written asbestos management plan should include:

• Contact details for the responsible person(s)

• Location and condition of ACMs

• Risk assessments and any scheduled asbestos removal

• Emergency procedures for accidental disturbance

• Staff training protocols and contractor communication

• Review and update schedule (at least annually)

This document should be easily accessible on-site and made available to contractors or maintenance workers who may encounter ACMs.

Step 7: Train Staff and Contractors

Everyone involved with the building must understand the risks associated with asbestos. This includes:

• General awareness training for employees

• Detailed guidance for facilities or maintenance teams

• Contractor briefings before any building work

Education helps prevent accidental exposure and ensures proper procedures are followed at all times.

Step 8: Monitor and Review

An asbestos management plan is not a one-off task — it requires ongoing monitoring and annual reviews. Key maintenance actions include:

• Regular inspections of ACMs

• Updating the asbestos register after any building changes

• Reviewing and refining the plan based on findings

This ensures continued compliance and protects everyone within the building from long-term exposure risks.

Final Thoughts

Managing asbestos in your business property is a legal and moral responsibility. A well-structured asbestos management plan built around thorough asbestos testing, detailed asbestos surveys, and appropriate asbestos removal will not only ensure regulatory compliance but also protect your workforce and your business reputation.

Don’t leave it to chance — act today to assess, manage, and eliminate asbestos risks in your property.