Manage known asbestos before it becomes an exposure risk
A clear register, management plan and communication process help Jersey dutyholders protect occupants, maintenance teams and contractors.
Arrange a management planArrange a management survey
Management does not always mean removal
Asbestos-containing material in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed can often remain in place. The purpose of management is to know where it is, monitor its condition, control access and make sure nobody disturbs it unknowingly.
Removal may be appropriate where material is damaged, cannot be protected or will be affected by planned work. The decision should follow a competent assessment rather than a blanket assumption.
Who needs the information?
The asbestos register and management arrangements should be available to people who may plan, authorise or carry out work, including facilities teams, maintenance staff, contractors, designers and emergency responders where relevant.
A practical management process
Establish the scope and responsibility
Identify who controls the premises, who will maintain the records and which buildings, structures and common areas are included.
Locate known and presumed asbestos
Review existing surveys and records. Commission a suitable management survey where the information is missing, inadequate or no longer reflects the premises.
Assess material condition
Record the product type, condition, surface treatment and potential for fibre release. Consider how normal occupation and foreseeable maintenance could affect it.
Create an accessible asbestos register
Record the location and extent of known or presumed materials, photographs where useful, material assessments and any access limitations.
Write and implement the management plan
Set responsibilities, priorities, monitoring intervals, protective measures, communication arrangements and the actions to take if damage or unexpected material is found.
Inform people before work begins
Make the current register and relevant survey information available to anyone who may disturb the building fabric. Confirm that the information matches the exact scope of work.
Monitor, review and update
Reinspect materials at suitable intervals and update the register after changes, damage, encapsulation or removal. Review the overall plan when work or occupancy changes.
Match the survey to the work
A management survey supports normal occupation and foreseeable routine maintenance. It is not designed to make intrusive refurbishment or demolition safe.
Before work that will disturb the building fabric, commission a refurbishment or demolition survey targeted to the actual project scope.
Material and priority assessments
A material assessment considers how readily an asbestos-containing material could release fibres if disturbed. A priority assessment considers the likelihood of disturbance based on normal activity, occupancy and maintenance.
Used together, they support proportionate management priorities rather than decisions based only on the material name.
If suspect material is unexpectedly disturbed
- Stop work immediately and keep people away.
- Do not sweep, vacuum or move contaminated items without competent advice.
- Prevent further disturbance and isolate the area where practicable.
- Check the asbestos register and obtain competent assessment, sampling or air-monitoring advice as appropriate.
- Record the incident and update the management information once the situation is resolved.
Frequently asked questions
How often should an asbestos management plan be reviewed?
Review it at planned intervals and whenever circumstances change, including damage, refurbishment, removal, changes in responsibility or new survey information.
Is an asbestos register the same as a management plan?
No. The register records known or presumed materials. The management plan explains responsibilities, controls, priorities, communication and review arrangements.
Can contractors rely on a management survey before refurbishment?
Not usually. Intrusive work requires survey information matched to the areas and materials the project will disturb.
Jersey-specific standard
ACoP 8 sets out the practical standard for managing exposure to asbestos in Jersey workplace buildings and structures. It should be read alongside the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 and the Asbestos-Licensing (Jersey) Regulations 2008 where applicable.
Need a usable plan, not just a report?
We can review your records, update the register and prepare clear management actions that work for the people responsible for your Jersey premises.
Discuss your premises