Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) Risk Assessment Form

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral that has been used since the ancient Roman and Greek civilisations. It is a very versatile material that has been used in a huge variety of applications over the years from wrapping mummies and fireproofing table-cloths in the ancient world to the creation of toilet seats and cigarette filters in more recent times. In construction, its uses have included insulation, lagging and corrugated sheets regularly seen on walls and roofs.

What are the health risks?

The health risks associated with asbestos have also been known for many years; it is a deadly threat that now claims in the region of 4500 lives each year and accounts for over half of all occupational cancer deaths. Many people who are suffering from asbestos related health problems were exposed to asbestos around 35 to 40 years previously.

Asbestos in buildings

Though not used in construction anymore, asbestos is still present in more than 500,000 public buildings. The management of asbestos in your building is a requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The person who is the ‘Duty-Holder’ is required to carry out a survey of your premises to ascertain if you have any Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) and if so, to record where it is and its condition.

This month Simply-Docs has created a new style Asbestos Risk Assessment Form. This Asbestos RA Form can be used as an alternative to the Asbestos (ACM) Location and Condition Register for those who prefer the standard risk assessment format.