When Did Building Regulations Remove Asbestos In Hampshire?

Asbestos is a mineral that was widely used in building materials for many years because of its fire retardant properties and insulation capabilities. However, exposure to asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Due to the dangers associated with asbestos exposure, regulations were put in place to ban the use of asbestos in building materials and to ensure the safe removal of any existing asbestos in buildings.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire is an asbestos removal company in Hampshire, UK. We provide asbestos removal services to commercial and residential premises throughout Hampshire and the South East of England. In this article, we will explore the timeline of asbestos regulations in the UK, with a focus on Hampshire.

The Use of Asbestos in Buildings

Asbestos was widely used in building materials from the 1950s until the late 1990s. It was used in a range of building materials, including insulation, roofing, flooring, and ceiling tiles. Asbestos was popular because it was cheap and effective, and it was widely believed to be a safe building material.

However, studies in the 1970s linked asbestos exposure to lung cancer and mesothelioma, and by the 1980s the dangers of asbestos exposure were widely recognised. It became clear that asbestos posed a serious health risk, and regulations were put in place to ensure the safe removal of any existing asbestos in buildings.

Asbestos Regulations in the UK

In the UK, asbestos regulations were introduced in stages over several decades. The first regulations were introduced in 1985 with the Control of Asbestos Regulations, which established rules for the handling and disposal of asbestos waste. In 1993, the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations were introduced, which established licensing requirements for asbestos removal contractors.

In 1999, the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations were introduced, which banned the use of asbestos in new buildings and building materials. However, these regulations did not require the removal of existing asbestos from buildings. Instead, they required that any asbestos-containing materials be identified and managed to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres.

April 2012: Asbestos Regulations Brought Up to Date

In April 2012, the Control of Asbestos Regulations were updated to bring the regulations up to date with current health and safety standards. The new regulations required that all buildings constructed before the year 2000 be assessed for the presence of asbestos-containing materials.

If asbestos was found in the building, the owner or occupier of the building was required to put in place a management plan to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres. This meant that any asbestos-containing materials had to be identified and labelled, and steps had to be taken to ensure that the materials were not disturbed.

The April 2012 regulations also required that any asbestos-containing materials that were in poor condition or could be easily damaged be removed from the building. This included materials that were currently in place and materials that had been previously removed and were in storage.

Asbestos Removal in Hampshire

In Hampshire, as in the rest of the UK, regulations surrounding asbestos removal have become increasingly stringent in recent years. Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire has been providing asbestos removal services in Hampshire for many years, and we are fully equipped to tackle any asbestos removal project, no matter how large or small.

We understand the dangers associated with asbestos exposure, and we take great care to ensure the safety of our clients and our employees. We are fully licensed and insured to carry out asbestos removal work, and we use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure that asbestos fibres are safely contained during removal.

Conclusion

Asbestos is a dangerous mineral that can cause serious health problems, and regulations have been put in place to ensure the safe removal of any existing asbestos in buildings. In Hampshire, Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire is a leading provider of asbestos removal services, and we are fully equipped to handle any asbestos removal project.

If you have any enquiries about asbestos removal in Hampshire or the South East of England, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01962 458066 or at [email protected]. You can also visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-hampshire.co.uk for more information.