Control of Asbestos at Work (Amendment) Regulations 1998

These regulations came into force on 1st February 1999, further amending the 1987 regulations and the 1992 amendment regulations. The changes implemented by these Regulations include:

• the extension of the regulations to cover all employees exposed to asbestos, not just those working on asbestos
• the lowering of the action levels and control limits for chrysotile
• risk assessments and plans of work to be kept at the location to which they apply
• a reduction in the advanced notification period from 28 to 14 days
• a requirement to examine and test respiratory equipment
• the requirement to reduce exposure below the control limit is to be "as low as reasonable practicable", after taking into account respiratory protection being worn

The HSE provide guidance in the form of ACoPs to the above legislation as well as Guidance Notes on various aspects of the health and safety management of asbestos and asbestos products. All are obtainable from HSE Books.

These regulations, along with the 1987 regulations and the 1992 amendment regulations, were revoked by the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002; with the 2002 regulations subsequently revoked by the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012.

See Also

• Asbestos