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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Asbestos Safety and Risk Management Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out how {{org_field_name}} prevents exposure to asbestos fibres by ensuring asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are identified, risk-assessed, recorded, monitored and controlled in any premises for which we are the dutyholder or where we have maintenance/repair influence.

This policy supports compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (including the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises), the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, including Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment) and Regulation 15 (Premises and equipment). It also evidences our arrangements for maintaining safe environments under CQC’s current assessment approach (including “Safe environments”).

2. Scope

This policy applies to all premises under the control or partial responsibility of {{org_field_name}}, including any offices, storage areas, or service user accommodation where the organisation has influence over the safety and maintenance of the environment. It also applies to all staff, contractors, and others who may be at risk of exposure to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) during the course of their work.

Where {{org_field_name}} owns, leases, occupies or has responsibility for maintenance/repair of a building (including care home premises, offices, or storage areas), we will act as the asbestos dutyholder (or will formally agree dutyholder arrangements in writing with the landlord/managing agent). Where we provide care in premises we do not control (for example, a person’s own home), we are not usually the dutyholder; however, we will still take proportionate steps to protect staff and people using our service by obtaining relevant asbestos risk information where work could disturb the building fabric, recording concerns, and escalating promptly to the property owner/landlord/managing agent.

3. Related Policies

• CH11 – Safe Care and Treatment Policy
• CH15 – Regulated Activities Compliance Policy
• CH16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy
• CH18 – Risk Management and Assessment Policy
• CH22 – Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Substances Policy
• CH24 – Management of Accidents, Incidents, and Near Misses Policy

4. Policy Statement and Responsibilities

Understanding Asbestos Risk

Asbestos is a hazardous material that may be present in buildings constructed before the year 2000. When disturbed, asbestos fibres can be released into the air and inhaled, potentially leading to serious diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. The risk arises during maintenance, refurbishment, or repair work. As {{org_field_name}} operates primarily in home care, we must assess both our business premises and any service user environments where we are responsible for repairs or adaptations.

Organisational Responsibilities

{{org_field_name}} is committed to:

• Identifying any premises where we have control or influence that may contain asbestos
• Arranging for a competent person to carry out asbestos surveys (management or refurbishment surveys as appropriate)
• Maintaining an asbestos register and keeping it up to date
• Implementing and communicating an Asbestos Management Plan where ACMs are identified
• Ensuring safe working procedures for staff and contractors
• Preventing any untrained staff from disturbing or working on suspected ACMs

The Registered Manager and Health and Safety Lead are jointly responsible for ensuring asbestos risk management procedures are followed.

Asbestos Dutyholder / Responsible Person

{{org_field_name}} will appoint an Asbestos Responsible Person (ARP) (or “Asbestos Dutyholder Lead”) with authority to implement this policy. The ARP is responsible for:

• ensuring an up-to-date asbestos register exists for each relevant premises and is accessible to those who need it;
• ensuring an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) is in place, implemented and reviewed;
• ensuring surveys, re-inspections and remedial actions are completed within defined timescales;
• ensuring contractors receive asbestos information before work begins;
• stopping work where asbestos risk is suspected and initiating emergency arrangements;
• reporting to the Registered Manager on compliance, incidents, and outstanding actions.

Competent advice

Asbestos surveys and air testing will be undertaken only by competent organisations (e.g., UKAS-accredited providers where applicable) and removal/remediation will be undertaken by appropriately licensed asbestos contractors where required.

Staff Responsibilities

All staff must:

• Familiarise themselves with any asbestos risk information relevant to the areas they work in
• Report any signs of damaged materials (e.g. ceiling tiles, pipe lagging) that may contain asbestos
• Never drill, sand, or damage surfaces suspected of containing asbestos
• Cooperate with asbestos surveyors and contractors
• Follow all instructions provided in the Asbestos Management Plan

Staff are not permitted to carry out any works that may disturb building fabric unless trained and authorised.

Contractor Management

All contractors carrying out maintenance, repair, or refurbishment on {{org_field_name}} premises or areas we manage in service users’ homes must:

• Be vetted for asbestos awareness training and competence
• Be informed of the asbestos risk (including being provided with the asbestos register, if applicable)

• Provide evidence of risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) that explicitly addresses asbestos risk and references the asbestos register/survey information relied upon.
• Confirm whether work is licensed / notifiable non-licensed / non-licensed (as applicable) and provide evidence of any required notifications and control measures.
• Agree to stop work immediately and notify {{org_field_name}} if suspect material is encountered or if the scope of works changes.

• Agree not to disturb any known or suspected ACMs without proper licensing and control measures
• Follow the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and use appropriate PPE, controls, and disposal procedures

We maintain records of contractor training, risk assessments, and method statements before work begins.

Training and Awareness

All relevant staff will receive basic asbestos awareness training as part of their health and safety induction. This includes:

• Understanding what asbestos is and where it may be found
• How to recognise signs of ACM damage
• Procedures for reporting concerns or potential exposure

Training records will show training content, date, provider, attendee name, role relevance, and refresher due date and will be available for internal audit and CQC inspection.

Refresher training will be provided at least annually for staff who may work in or around building fabric or who may instruct/oversee contractors, and additionally where there is a change in role, premises, risk profile, or following any asbestos-related incident/near miss. Contractor competence checks will include evidence of appropriate asbestos training relevant to the task.

Asbestos Register and Asbestos Management Plan (AMP)

For each premises where we are the dutyholder or have maintenance responsibility, we will maintain:

• an asbestos register that records the location, type, condition, and risk rating of any known or presumed ACMs;
• an AMP that sets out control measures, access restrictions (if needed), labelling/signage decisions, inspection frequency, and actions with deadlines and responsible persons.

The asbestos register and AMP will be reviewed at least annually, and immediately following: refurbishment/maintenance works, an incident, changes in building use, or receipt of updated survey information.

Risk Assessment and Management

Where {{org_field_name}} has maintenance responsibilities (e.g. in an office or owned building), we will:

• Conduct asbestos surveys through qualified assessors

• Ensure surveys are appropriate to the work type (e.g., management survey for ongoing occupation; refurbishment/demolition survey before intrusive works).
• Implement a permit-to-work / pre-work authorisation process for any task that could disturb the building fabric (drilling, fixing, maintenance, refurbishment), requiring confirmation that asbestos information has been checked and controls are in place.
• Complete scheduled re-inspections of known/suspected ACMs at intervals defined by the AMP (risk-based), recording condition changes and actions taken.

• Maintain and review an Asbestos Management Plan detailing condition, risk level, and control measures
• Label known ACMs where appropriate and safe to do so
• Schedule inspections and maintenance to prevent deterioration of ACMs
• Update risk assessments following any incidents or property changes

In situations where we do not own or manage service user property, we will record any asbestos concerns reported by staff and advise the person or their landlord appropriately.

Where we deliver care in premises we do not control, staff must not undertake or instruct tasks that may disturb building fabric unless the ARP confirms appropriate asbestos risk information has been obtained (e.g., via landlord/building manager) and it is safe to proceed.

Emergency Procedures

If asbestos-containing material is suspected to have been disturbed or damaged:

1. Stop work immediately. Do not attempt to clean up debris or dust.
2. Evacuate and isolate the area; close doors/windows where safe to do so and prevent re-entry.
3. Report immediately to the Registered Manager and Asbestos Responsible Person (ARP).
4. The ARP will arrange competent assessment (and where appropriate, a licensed asbestos contractor/analyst) and will determine whether air testing, cleaning, enclosure, or removal is required.
5. Any potentially exposed staff will be provided with occupational health advice and the incident will be recorded as an incident/near miss in line with CH24, including actions taken and lessons learned.
6. The ARP will consider whether external reporting is required (e.g., under relevant health and safety reporting duties) and will ensure evidence is retained (e.g., contractor reports, clearance documentation where applicable).
7. Work will not restart until the ARP confirms it is safe and any required documentation has been received and checked.

Documentation and Record-Keeping

The following records are maintained securely and updated as required:

• Asbestos surveys and reports
• Asbestos register and locations
• Training records
• Contractor risk assessments and method statements
• Incident reports and action plans

• Asbestos register and version control (date issued, author, premises covered)
• AMP reviews and re-inspection records
• Permit-to-work / pre-work asbestos checks (where used)
• Remediation/removal documentation including waste documentation and any clearance documentation (where applicable)
• Audit reports and action trackers (see Governance section below)

All records are reviewed annually and are available to CQC inspectors on request as evidence of our compliance with Regulation 15 – Premises and Equipment​.

Records will be stored securely and be readily retrievable for inspection. We will keep an action tracker of any asbestos-related remedial works and monitor completion dates to demonstrate effective management oversight.

5. Governance, Audit and Assurance

The Registered Manager will receive at least annual assurance that asbestos risks are being controlled. This will include:

• confirmation that the asbestos register and AMP are in date for each applicable premises;
• completion status of planned re-inspections and remedial actions;
• training compliance (including refresher due dates);
• contractor compliance (RAMS checks, pre-work register checks, and any stop-work events);
• incident/near miss themes and learning actions.

Internal audits will be completed at least annually (or more frequently where risk indicates) and an improvement plan will be maintained until all actions are closed.

6. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where there are changes to relevant legislation/CQC guidance, changes to premises under our control, changes to dutyholder arrangements, after any asbestos-related incident/near miss, or where audit findings indicate improvement is required. The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring the review is completed and that any amendments are communicated to staff and contractors.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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