HSE Inspections: Are You Ready?

Date: 20/02/25

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced it is carrying out focused inspections at local authority buildings across the UK to ensure asbestos risks are being properly managed. 

As the regulator of asbestos management in non-domestic properties (including public buildings), the HSE mandates that duty holders take proactive steps to plan, assess and control asbestos exposure. These inspections will evaluate how well duty holders are mitigating asbestos-related risks within their estates and meeting their obligations under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR). 

Asbestos management remains a significant concern for local authorities and closely related sectors such as social housing providers, as many of their buildings were constructed when asbestos was a widely used building material before being banned in 1999. If left undisturbed, asbestos in good condition has a reduced risk of releasing fibres into the atmosphere. However, as buildings deteriorate, undergo renovation, incur damage, or have more activity near the material, the risk of exposure increases. This puts building occupants and maintenance workers at risk of serious health conditions, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. 

In January 2024, the HSE launched the Asbestos – Your Duty campaign to raise awareness of the legal duty to manage asbestos in buildings. Following the success of this initiative, the HSE is now taking direct action to ensure the safety of building occupants. The inspections will assess duty holders’ understanding of asbestos management and review key asbestos-related documentation, such as asbestos surveys, the "live" asbestos register, and the asbestos management plan (AMP). Inspectors will also conduct walk-throughs to check for the presence of higher-risk asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and to ensure that all necessary protection measures are in place for contractors and maintenance workers, including what to do in an emergency and if this is tested. 

We’re sure that these inspections will make even the most seasoned duty holders feel uneasy, but let’s be clear: the HSE is not on a mission to catch you out! Its goal is to ensure that the built environment is safe for people (something we’re also incredibly passionate about). That said, no one wants to be hit with a compliance breach. To mitigate that risk, we’re working with local authorities before and during inspections. Think of us as a regulatory safety net, helping you put everything in place to ensure compliance. We don’t just get documentation, processes and training in order and up to scratch; we help you raise the bar and set the standard. With iON by your side, you’ll have the competence and confidence to comply with regulations, so you can relax and focus on your day job.

As self-confessed SHEQ geeks and asbestos pros, we really love processes, but we know that training is the real game-changer for busy organisations juggling tight budgets. Our five-star tailored asbestos training courses upskill your teams and give you the edge. This invaluable investment will embed asbestos management into your everyday processes, allowing you to move beyond compliance to a proactive safety culture. From Duty to Manage training and Non-Licensed Asbestos courses to Asbestos Management CPD sessions for senior leaders, we’ll ensure your team is confident, competent and in control of asbestos management. 

If you’re losing sleep or having nagging thoughts about your asbestos processes, lean on us. We can take the stress away by helping you create safe, compliant spaces that give everyone peace of mind. We understand the pressure duty holders feel about these inspections; with iON, it doesn’t have to be that way. Taking a call from the HSE isn’t easy. Making the call to us is. So, pick up the phone and dial 0845 8623840 today. Together, we can raise the standards and create safe, sustainable spaces where people and the environment thrive! 

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