How Facility Managers Can Reduce Asbestos Risk

A Facility Manager (FM) is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations, functionality and safety of a single commercial building or multiple facilities, including any planning, maintenance or health & safety obligations. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the person who has the duty to manage asbestos within a building (otherwise known as the ‘dutyholder’) in non-domestic premises could include:

• The building owner.
• The landlord.
• The person or organisation with clear responsibility for the building’s maintenance or repair.

As facility managers are responsible for the maintenance of non-domestic buildings, this would mean they have a duty to manage the risk of asbestos within these premises.

Removing asbestos correctly is very important, as exposure to the material can pose serious health risks, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening. Once asbestos removal has been identified as a tool to manage the risk of asbestos within your premises, our asbestos consultants will implement control measures where the removal is due to take place – this will include a seal to ensure no fibres infest surrounding areas. Once the materials have been removed safely and compliantly, they will be sent to a specialist asbestos waste disposal site.

Asbestos removal is a dangerous and complex process, but it need not be. This is where our licensed asbestos removal specialists can help you. Here at Reddish Vale, our asbestos removal contractors have over 30 years of combined experience working across domestic, commercial, industrial, governmental, leisure-related and educational buildings. If you are the facility manager of a building within any of these sectors, and you suspect your premises contain ACMs, it is vital that you get in touch with us today to ensure you remain safe and compliant.