HSE Global Asbestos Awareness Week: 1 to 7 April
HSE is calling on your support to share our asbestos resources with others to highlight the risks and keep people safe.
Despite being banned in the UK 25 years ago, asbestos is still responsible for approximately 5,000 deaths in Great Britain each year.
Asbestos-related diseases typically take decades for symptoms to occur following exposure. As Global Asbestos Awareness Week approaches, we are reminding people where they might encounter asbestos and what action to take to prevent exposure.
Why it matters
Asbestos could be present in any building that was built or refurbished before 2000 and can be hidden within different materials, for example:
- lagging on plant and pipework
- insulation products such as fireproof panels
- asbestos cement roofing material
- sprayed coatings on structural steel work to insulate against fire and noise
These materials become dangerous when damaged or disturbed. For example, during maintenance, remediation or renovation work.
That's why HSE is running 2 crucial campaigns to raise awareness of the risks, providing free advice, downloadable resources and videos to help prevent exposure to asbestos fibres.
Protect your future: take action this April
If you're a tradesperson, you're likely to encounter asbestos during your work at some point.
Our Asbestos and You campaign provides essential advice to help you stay safe. Resources include our free 'quick guide for trades' to learn what to watch for, and what to do should you come across it.
Read our recent blogs on the devastating impact of asbestos-related disease.
For those responsible for non-domestic buildings (including offices, factories, schools, and public buildings), there is a legal obligation to manage asbestos risks.
Our Asbestos – Your Duty campaign provides a range of resources to support dutyholders with the legal duty to manage asbestos in buildings.
Further information
Access a range of asbestos guidance on HSE’s website:
- view our asbestos essential task sheets for practical, step-by-step guidance
- follow a step guide: Introduction to asbestos safety
- find out about: A workers' guide to asbestos safety which includes videos summarising the guidance for workers.
access further information about the locations of asbestos and taking the right action
2025 Annual Science Review published
HSE's Annual Science Review illustrates how we use innovative science and evidence to protect people and places, helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
HSE Asbestos campaign updates
Asbestos and You
New research reveals that nearly half of tradespeople view asbestos as a problem of the past.
According to a recent survey, over a quarter of respondents (26%) also stated that they have not followed the correct procedures when they have encountered asbestos.
The survey was commissioned by an independent training provider, unrelated to HSE.
No matter what safety equipment you have, if you’re not adequately trained, you shouldn’t be working with asbestos. It is illegal to work on asbestos containing materials without proper training. Find out more about:
- HSE's Asbestos and You campaign for tradespeople
- asbestos information, instruction and training
Asbestos - Your Duty
HSE’s Asbestos - Your Duty campaign is calling on your support to share our campaign resources with your networks to keep people safe from asbestos.
This now includes the duty to manage asbestos guidance in Welsh. This contains a downloadable PDF to improve understanding of what the legal duty to manage asbestos involves.
The campaign has a range of free resources available to support those with the legal duty to manage asbestos. You can:
- watch our short video that outlines the steps to the duty to manage asbestos in buildings
- visit our webpage to access and download campaign assets
- view our guidance and asbestos management plan template
March
2025
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