Does COSHH Cover Asbestos? It is a common topic in UK workplaces today. COSHH does not cover asbestos or asbestos-related work activities. Instead, the UK controls asbestos under separate asbestos regulations for safety. Around 5,000 asbestos-related deaths are still recorded in the UK each year. It is clear from here that many serious cases of asbestos exposure remain. Many workers still confuse COSHH rules with asbestos laws. So, a clear understanding is important for safe workplace practice.

This guide explains what COSHH covers in everyday work settings. It also shows why asbestos needs stronger legal control and monitoring. Also, you will learn key UK asbestos safety regulations. Besides that, the blog explains how employers manage asbestos risks correctly.

What Does COSHH Cover?

The full form of COSHH is Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. These rules keep workers safe. Maintaining COSHH gives people safety from harm. COSHH sets simple rules. It reduces exposure. It also prevents illness. COSHH applies when people breathe in harmful air. It also applies when they touch or swallow harmful substances. Skin contact is also a risk.

COSHH covers many workplace hazards. These include chemicals and cleaning products. It also includes products with chemicals. Also, it covers fumes, dusts, vapours, mists and gases. These also cover biological agents. These include germs that can cause disease.

However, COSHH does not cover all dangers. Some high-risk substances follow other laws. These laws have stricter safety rules.

Why Does COSHH Cover Asbestos Confuse People?

People often mix up COSHH rules with asbestos safety laws. COSHH covers many workplace hazards, so confusion happens easily. Also, asbestos is a serious health risk, so people link it with COSHH. However, UK law keeps them separate for safety reasons.

In simple words, COSHH and asbestos rules both protect people. But they do different jobs. They do not overlap in the same way. COSHH is for general hazards. Asbestos is one of the most dangerous materials. So, knowing the difference really matters. It helps people work safely. It also helps avoid costly mistakes at work.

If you want a deeper guide, read our full article on Is Asbestos Covered by COSHH? It explains the rules in simple steps with real UK examples.

Why Does COSHH Not Cover Asbestos?

COSHH does not cover asbestos. Asbestos is very dangerous. It needs special rules. When people disturb asbestos, it releases tiny fibres. These fibres float in the air. People can breathe them in. This can cause deadly diseases. These include mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening.

In the UK, many old buildings contain asbestos. The UK banned asbestos in 1999. But buildings built before 2000 may still have it. Asbestos is safe when it stays still. It becomes dangerous when people break or disturb it.

So, asbestos needs stricter control. That is why it does not come under COSHH. It follows its own asbestos regulations.

What Does COSHH Regulation 5 Do and What about Asbestos?

COSHH Regulation 5 explains when COSHH does not apply. It applies when another law controls the risk. This avoids overlap in UK safety rules. It also separates normal risks from asbestos.

  • COSHH does not apply when another law controls the risk.
  • Asbestos follows its own law. It does not follow COSHH rules.
  • Risk checks move to asbestos regulations.
  • Safety rules for asbestos also follow asbestos law.
  • Employers must follow asbestos regulations to stay safe and legal.

Which UK Law Covers Asbestos Instead?

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 cover asbestos. This law controls asbestos in the UK. It focuses on safety at work. It aims to stop asbestos exposure. When you cannot prevent exposure, you can reduce it.

These rules set clear duties. They guide safe asbestos work. They also include training and licensing for risky jobs. The law protects workers and people nearby.

It applies to employers, building owners, landlords and managing agents. It also applies to anyone who manages building maintenance. This includes non-domestic buildings.

So, if asbestos is present or suspected, follow asbestos law. Do not rely on COSHH for asbestos control.

Who Has the Duty to Manage Asbestos?

Some people or groups are in charge of buildings. People call this the “duty to manage asbestos” role. It helps keep everyone safe. It is important in places where asbestos may be present.

These people include building owners, landlords, employers, managing agents and facilities managers. It also includes anyone who looks after shared areas in a building. Their first job is to check if asbestos is there. They also check its condition.

Next, they keep an asbestos register. This is a record of asbestos in the building. Then, they make an asbestos management plan. They share this information with workers and contractors. They also update it when anything changes. This rule applies to many places. These include offices, shops, schools, factories, warehouses, hospitals and shared buildings.

Do You Need a COSHH Assessment for Asbestos?

No, you do not need a COSHH assessment for asbestos. Asbestos follows different UK laws. You must use an asbestos risk assessment instead. This keeps people safe from asbestos exposure.

A COSHH assessment checks for generally harmful substances. It covers chemicals and other workplace hazards. But asbestos needs a separate check. An asbestos risk assessment looks only at asbestos fibres and their risk. So, both assessments do different jobs.

You need an asbestos risk assessment before any work starts. This includes maintenance, repair or building work. It also includes refurbishment and demolition. You must also check before drilling, cutting or sanding. If you think asbestos is there, stop work. Do not touch the material. Always check first before you continue.

What Asbestos Survey Do You Need?

An asbestos survey helps find asbestos in a building. It also shows where asbestos may exist. It guides safe management of asbestos. The right survey depends on building use and planned work.

Management Survey

A management survey suits normal building use. It helps dutyholders manage asbestos in daily conditions. Also, it checks where asbestos may be present. This shows if normal use may disturb it. So, it helps plan safe control over time.

Refurbishment and Demolition Survey

You should carry out a refurbishment and demolition survey before major work. This includes refurbishment or demolition. It checks all work areas in detail. Also, it looks inside hidden spaces. This finds asbestos before work starts. The right survey depends on the building type, the job and the risk of disturbance.

Can Anyone Work on Asbestos?

No, not everyone can work with asbestos. This work is very dangerous. So, only trained people can do it. The type of work decides the rules, training and safety level.

Licensed Asbestos Work

This is the highest-risk work. It needs a licensed contractor. UK authorities must approve them. This work often includes insulation, coatings and insulating boards. It also needs strict safety control at every step.

Non-Licensed Asbestos Work

Some low-risk jobs do not need a licence. But workers still need asbestos training. They must follow safe work methods. They must also use proper safety controls.

Notifiable Non-Licensed Work

Some work does not need a licence. But workers must still inform the authority before starting. They must follow safety rules. They must also keep proper records.

In all cases, workers must not touch asbestos without training. Safety rules must always come first.

What Does COSHH Cover Instead of Asbestos?

COSHH covers many harmful substances at work. It does not cover asbestos. It still protects workers from other risks. These include cleaning chemicals, solvents, paints and glues. It also includes welding fumes. COSHH also includes wood dust and silica dust. Laboratory chemicals fall under COSHH. COSHH also covers bodily fluids and biological agents.

Employers must first find the hazards. Then they assess the risks. After that, they control exposure. They use safe methods and clear training. Workers also get proper safety equipment. In some cases, employers check exposure levels.

COSHH uses chemical risk symbols. It also uses hazard warning symbols. These help people spot danger fast. So, COSHH is very important. But it does not cover asbestos.

Are COSHH Hazard Warning Symbols Used for Asbestos?

COSHH hazard warning symbols do not fully apply to asbestos safety. These symbols mainly show chemical risks. They do not cover asbestos risks properly. So, asbestos needs a different safety system.

Asbestos safety depends on clear records. It starts with asbestos surveys. It also includes asbestos registers and asbestos management plans. Workplaces use asbestos warning signs. They also use site labels and contractor briefings. Safe systems of work help stop exposure.

Chemical risk symbols show what a substance can do to health. In contrast, asbestos records show where asbestos may be. They also guide workers on how to avoid it. So, COSHH symbols help with chemicals only. But asbestos needs its own strict safety controls and warning system.

COSHH vs Asbestos Regulations: What are the Differences?

COSHH and asbestos laws both protect workers. They keep people safe at work. But they do not control the same risks. Each one has different rules in the UK.

COSHH

  • COSHH controls chemicals, dust, fumes and gases.
  • COSHH also covers biological agents like germs. 
  • Employers must do a risk assessment before work starts.
  • It focuses on safe use, training and exposure control.
  • It applies to many different workplace substances.

Asbestos Regulations

  • Asbestos rules control asbestos and asbestos fibres only.
  • Employers must carry out asbestos surveys.
  • They must keep asbestos registers and management plans.
  • The rules include strict training and licensed work.
  • The aim is to stop asbestos exposure in buildings.

Common Mistakes about COSHH and Asbestos

Many workplaces mix up COSHH and asbestos rules. This can cause unsafe work and legal problems. One common mistake is using a COSHH assessment for asbestos. But asbestos needs an asbestos risk assessment under asbestos law.

Another mistake is starting work without checking the asbestos register. So, always check records first. Some people think hidden asbestos is safe. But it becomes dangerous when workers disturb it.

In some cases, untrained workers handle asbestos. Only trained staff should do this work. Finally, many forget to update the asbestos management plan after changes or damage.

Final Thoughts

So, does COSHH cover asbestos? The answer is no. COSHH controls many harmful substances at work. But asbestos follows separate UK asbestos regulations. This does not mean fewer rules. It means stricter and clearer safety control. Employers must find asbestos first. Then they assess the risk. After that, they manage it. They must also stop people from disturbing it. Use COSHH for chemicals and biological hazards. Use asbestos law for asbestos. This simple rule helps keep workplaces safe.

Need to stay safe around asbestos at work? Join our Asbestos Awareness Training and learn the right safety steps.

FAQs on Does COSHH Cover Asbestos

1. What are the 5 main substances covered by COSHH?

  • COSHH mainly covers chemicals, dust, fumes, vapours and biological agents that can harm health at work.

2. What is not covered under COSHH?

  • COSHH does not cover asbestos, lead, radioactive substances or workplace noise and other separate regulated risks.

3. Is asbestos included under COSHH?

  • No, COSHH does not include asbestos and asbestos follows separate UK regulations.

4. Which regulations cover asbestos?

  • The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 cover asbestos in the UK. 

5. What is the 3 5 7 rule for asbestos testing?

  • The 3 5 7 rule explains asbestos safety steps before testing, removal and reoccupation checks.

6. Do house sellers have to declare asbestos?

  • Yes, house sellers should tell buyers if they know asbestos is present in the property.