Duty to Manage Asbestos (CAR 2012)

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Regulation 4), anyone responsible for non-domestic premises has a clear legal duty to manage asbestos. This applies to building owners, landlords, managing agents, and sometimes tenants with maintenance responsibilities.

The law recognises that asbestos is still present in many buildings constructed before the year 2000. The duty to manage is designed to make sure these materials are properly identified, recorded, and managed so they don’t put people at risk.

If you are the dutyholder, the regulations require you to:

Identify asbestos – Arrange an asbestos survey (management survey, or refurbishment/demolition survey before building works).

Keep an asbestos register – Record the location, type, and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Assess the risks – Decide how likely it is that the asbestos could be disturbed and release fibres.

Create a management plan – Set out how asbestos will be managed safely, including responsibilities and monitoring arrangements.

Review and update regularly – Re-inspect ACMs and update your register and plan at least once a year, or sooner if conditions change.

Provide information – Make sure anyone who may disturb asbestos (such as contractors, maintenance teams, or emergency services) has access to up-to-date information before starting work.

Asbestos is the UK’s biggest workplace killer. Every year, thousands of people die from diseases caused by past exposure, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The danger is that asbestos fibres are microscopic, invisible, and deadly — you won’t know they are there until it’s too late.

Failing to manage asbestos properly can have serious consequences:

Legal penalties – The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) actively enforces the duty to manage under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Breaches can result in enforcement notices, unlimited fines, and even imprisonment.

Risk to health – Poor asbestos management puts employees, contractors, tenants, and the public at risk of inhaling fibres. Even short-term exposure can be dangerous.

Business disruption – If asbestos is discovered unexpectedly during maintenance, refurbishment, or demolition, it can stop work immediately, delay projects, and significantly increase costs.

Reputation damage – Dutyholders who fail to manage asbestos risk losing credibility with staff, clients, investors, and regulators. In sensitive sectors like education, healthcare, and housing, this can be particularly damaging.

Peace of mind – By complying with Regulation 4, you demonstrate that your organisation takes safety seriously, protects its people, and manages risk responsibly.

At Strata Asbestos Consultancy, we make asbestos compliance straightforward. With over 20 years of experience, we understand both the legal requirements of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the practical challenges of managing buildings safely.

Here’s how we support our clients:

Asbestos Surveys
We carry out management surveys for occupied buildings and refurbishment & demolition surveys before any intrusive work. All surveys are completed in line with HSG264: Asbestos – The Survey Guide.

Clear Asbestos Registers
Our surveys feed directly into an asbestos register — a simple, accurate record of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that can be updated and shared with anyone who needs it.

Management Plans
We create or update asbestos management plans that explain how ACMs will be controlled, monitored, and reviewed. These plans meet the requirements of Regulation 4 of CAR 2012.

Re-Inspections
We carry out regular re-inspections to make sure registers and management plans remain up to date, as required by law.

Compliance Audits
We review your current arrangements, identify any gaps against CAR 2012, and give you practical recommendations to put things right.

Air Monitoring (via independent partners)
Where testing is required, we arrange monitoring and clearance testing through independent UKAS-accredited analytical companies — ensuring results are impartial and reliable.

Independent, Impartial Advice
Because we are not a removal contractor, our advice is unbiased. We focus solely on helping you stay compliant and keep people safe.

With Strata, you don’t just get a survey — you get a complete compliance partner who ensures your asbestos responsibilities are managed properly, giving you peace of mind, legal protection, and confidence that your buildings are safe.