Creating an Asbestos Management Plan: Complete Guide

An asbestos management plan is a written document that sets out how you will manage asbestos risks in your building. It's a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the foundation of effective asbestos management.

What is an asbestos management plan?

An asbestos management plan is a written document that describes:

• Where asbestos is located in your building (the asbestos register)
• The condition and risk of each asbestos-containing material
• How you will manage each material (monitor, repair, enclose, or remove)
• Who is responsible for managing asbestos
• How you will communicate asbestos information to others
• How you will monitor and review asbestos over time
• What to do in emergencies if asbestos is disturbed

The plan is the practical implementation of your duty to manage asbestos. It turns survey findings into actionable procedures and responsibilities.

Legal requirements

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Regulation 4: Duty to Manage Asbestos

The duty holder must:

• Take reasonable steps to determine if asbestos is present
• Presume materials contain asbestos unless strong evidence otherwise
• Make and keep an up-to-date record of location and condition
• Assess the risk of exposure from these materials
• Prepare a plan that sets out how risks will be managed
• Take necessary steps to implement the plan
• Review and revise the plan periodically
• Provide information to anyone liable to disturb asbestos

What the plan must include

While regulations don't prescribe a specific format, HSE guidance (HSG227) recommends including:

• Current asbestos register
• Risk assessments for each material
• Management actions for each material
• Responsibilities and duties
• Procedures for providing information
• Monitoring and inspection schedules
• Review and update procedures
• Emergency procedures

Essential components of an asbestos management plan

1. Introduction and scope

Document control:

• Plan title and version number
• Date of creation and latest review
• Author and approval details
• Distribution list
• Document location and access

Premises information:

• Building address and description
• Construction date and type
• Current use and occupancy
• Brief history of asbestos surveys
• Scope of the plan (areas covered)

Legal context:

• Reference to Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
• Statement of duty to manage
• Identification of duty holder(s)
• Integration with other health and safety arrangements

2. Roles and responsibilities

Duty holder:

• Named individual or role with overall responsibility
• Ultimate accountability for asbestos management
• Authority to allocate resources
• Responsibility for plan review and approval

Asbestos coordinator:

• Day-to-day responsibility for implementing plan
• Maintaining asbestos register
• Coordinating inspections and surveys
• Providing information to contractors
• Reporting to duty holder

Building managers and supervisors:

• Local responsibility for specific buildings or areas
• Conducting or coordinating re-inspections
• Reporting changes or concerns
• First point of contact for contractors

Contractors and maintenance staff:

• Duty to check register before work
• Stop work if unexpected materials found
• Report any damage or concerns
• Follow prescribed working methods

Occupants and employees:

• Awareness of asbestos locations
• Do not disturb identified ACMs
• Report damage or concerns
• Follow building procedures

3. Asbestos register

The register is the heart of your management plan. It must be:

Comprehensive:

• All known or presumed ACMs listed
• Location descriptions clear and precise
• Floor plans showing ACM locations
• Photographs of each material
• Laboratory analysis certificates

Up to date:

• Updated when ACMs removed or repaired
• Updated when new ACMs discovered
• Updated when condition changes
• Version control and dating
• Record of changes maintained

Accessible:

• Available at premises
• Digital copy available
• Given to contractors before work
• Included in building handover documentation
• Available to emergency services

Register format should include:

For each asbestos-containing material:

• Unique reference number
• Location (room, area, floor level)
• Floor plan reference
• Description of material and its use
• Asbestos type (if known)
• Extent and quantity
• Surface treatment and accessibility
• Current condition assessment
• Risk priority rating
• Photographs
• Date of survey and last inspection
• Management action required
• Inspection frequency

4. Risk assessment

For each ACM, assess and document:

Material assessment score:

• Product type and asbestos content
• Extent of damage or deterioration
• Surface treatment and condition
• Asbestos type
• Total material assessment score

Priority assessment score:

• Normal building use and occupant activity
• Likelihood of disturbance
• Extent of ACM and number exposed
• Frequency of maintenance in area
• Total priority assessment score

Combined risk rating:

• Low risk (2-5): Monitor every 24 months
• Medium risk (6-9): Monitor every 12 months
• High risk (10-16): Monitor every 6 months
• Very high risk (17-24): Immediate action required

Management action based on risk:

• Leave in place and monitor (most common)
• Repair minor damage
• Enclose or encapsulate
• Remove (only when necessary)

5. Management procedures

Routine monitoring and inspection:

• Schedule of regular re-inspections
• Competent person requirements
• What to look for during inspections
• Recording and documenting findings
• When to escalate concerns
• Updating condition scores

Controlling access:

• Restricted access to high-risk areas
• Signage and labeling approach
• Key control and access logs
• Protecting vulnerable materials
• Preventing accidental damage

Providing information:

• Procedure for contractor induction
• What information to provide and when
• How to access the register
• Briefing records and sign-offs
• Emergency contact details
• Escalation procedures

Permit to work:

• When permits required
• Who can issue permits
• Asbestos register check mandatory
• Method statement requirements
• Competence checks
• Sign-off and closure

Managing change:

• How to update register
• Reporting new discoveries
• Recording remedial work
• Document control procedures
• Communication of changes

6. Emergency procedures

If asbestos is accidentally disturbed:

1. Stop work immediately — do not continue or try to clean up
2. Evacuate the area — keep people away from affected zone
3. Seal the area — close doors, tape off access points
4. Contact responsible person — use emergency contact numbers
5. Call specialist contractor — licensed asbestos contractor if needed
6. Do not re-enter — until professionally assessed and cleared
7. Document the incident — record what happened and actions taken
8. Review procedures — prevent recurrence

Emergency contact details:

• Duty holder and asbestos coordinator (24/7 contact)
• Licensed asbestos removal contractors
• UKAS accredited surveyor
• HSE contact details
• Emergency services

Incident reporting:

• What constitutes an incident
• Who to report to
• Documentation requirements
• Investigation procedures
• Lessons learned process

7. Training and competence

Duty holder and asbestos coordinator:

• Understanding of regulations and duties
• Asbestos awareness training
• Risk assessment competence
• Management plan development skills
• Refresher training every 2-3 years

Building staff and facilities managers:

• Asbestos awareness training
• How to use the register
• What not to disturb
• Emergency procedures
• Refresher training annually

Contractors and maintenance workers:

• Asbestos awareness training (minimum)
• Specific training for work with ACMs
• Competence appropriate to work undertaken
• Evidence of training required before work
• Refresher training periodically

Training records:

• Who trained, when, and by whom
• Training content and duration
• Competence assessment
• Refresher schedule
• Certificates on file

How to create your asbestos management plan

Step 1: Commission an asbestos survey

If you don't already have an up-to-date asbestos survey:

Choose a UKAS accredited surveyor:

• UKAS accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020
• Qualified to BOHS P402 minimum
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Good reputation and references

Receive the survey report:

• Detailed asbestos register
• Risk assessments and priority ratings
• Photographs and floor plans
• Laboratory analysis certificates
• Recommendations for management

Typical costs: £300-800 for small/medium buildings

Step 2: Identify your duty holder and responsibilities

Determine who has the duty:

• Building owner
• Employer with maintenance responsibilities
• Landlord or tenant (depending on lease terms)
• Managing agent or facilities manager
• May be shared in complex situations

Assign specific roles:

• Overall duty holder
• Asbestos coordinator (day-to-day responsibility)
• Building-specific managers
• Competent person for inspections
• Emergency contacts

Document responsibilities clearly:

• What each role is responsible for
• Authority to make decisions
• Resources and budget control
• Reporting lines
• Accountability

Step 3: Assess risks and determine management actions

For each ACM in your register:

Review the survey risk assessment:

• Material assessment score
• Priority assessment score
• Overall risk rating

Determine management action:

• Low risk: Leave in place, monitor every 24 months
• Medium risk: Leave in place, monitor every 12 months
• High risk: Consider repair/enclosure, monitor every 6 months
• Very high risk: Immediate action (repair, enclose, or remove)

Plan remedial work:

• Any immediate repairs needed
• Enclosure or encapsulation required
• Removal priorities
• Budget and timescale
• Contractor selection

Step 4: Write the plan

Use a clear structure:

• Follow the essential components outlined above
• Tailor complexity to your building and situation
• Include all legally required elements
• Make it usable, not just compliant

Keep it practical:

• Clear procedures anyone can follow
• Contact details and phone numbers
• Checklists and forms
• Floor plans and photographs
• Quick reference sections

Make it accessible:

• Store at the premises
• Digital copy available online
• Relevant sections given to contractors
• Key excerpts in contractor packs
• Emergency procedures displayed

Step 5: Get approval and communicate

Obtain formal approval:

• Duty holder reviews and approves
• Senior management sign-off
• Resources and budget confirmed
• Publication date and version control

Communicate the plan:

• Brief all relevant staff
• Include in employee induction
• Add to contractor information packs
• Inform building occupants (where appropriate)
• Display emergency procedures

Distribute copies:

• Duty holder
• Asbestos coordinator
• Building managers
• Reception or main office
• Facilities management team
• Emergency services (on request)

Implementing your plan

Creating the plan is only the beginning. You must actively implement it.

Set up monitoring and inspection systems

Schedule regular re-inspections:

• Calendar reminders for each ACM
• Different frequencies based on risk rating
• Assign responsible persons
• Provide inspection forms or checklists
• Require photographs of any changes

Visual inspection checklist:

• Overall condition of material
• Any new damage or deterioration
• Surface protection intact
• Access restrictions still effective
• Changes since last inspection
• Remedial action needed
• Update condition score if changed

Record all inspections:

• Date and inspector name
• Findings and observations
• Photographs
• Updated condition assessment
• Actions required
• Next inspection due date

Establish information procedures

Contractor induction process:

1. Provide asbestos register before work
2. Walk through work area
3. Point out ACM locations physically
4. Discuss precautions required
5. Confirm contractor competence
6. Obtain signed acknowledgment
7. Keep records of briefing

Maintenance permit to work:

• Mandatory register check before any work
• Asbestos coordinator approval required
• Method statement and risk assessment
• Competence verified
• Emergency procedures understood
• Sign-off when work complete

Making register accessible:

• Physical copy at premises
• Digital access for building team
• Quick reference sheets for high-risk areas
• Floor plans with ACM locations
• Emergency services copy available

Implement control measures

Physical controls:

• Protect vulnerable materials
• Restrict access to high-risk areas
• Label ACMs where appropriate (not advertising to vandals)
• Secure areas during high-risk work
• Barriers or segregation where needed

Procedural controls:

• Permit to work systems
• Mandatory register checks
• Contractor briefing requirements
• Method statement approvals
• Incident reporting procedures

Training and competence:

• Asbestos awareness for all relevant staff
• Specific training for building managers
• Contractor competence verification
• Refresher training schedules
• Record keeping

Budget for asbestos management

Ongoing costs:

• Regular re-inspections (£200-500 per visit)
• Annual management plan review
• Staff and contractor training
• Updating surveys every 3-5 years
• Minor repairs and maintenance

Contingency for remedial work:

• Emergency repairs if damage occurs
• Enclosure or encapsulation projects
• Planned removal before refurbishment
• Clearance testing after work
• Unexpected discoveries

Typical annual budget:

• Small single building: £500-2,000
• Medium commercial premises: £2,000-5,000
• Large or multi-site: £5,000-20,000+

Monitoring, reviewing, and updating

An asbestos management plan must be kept current and reviewed regularly.

Regular monitoring activities

Re-inspections based on risk:

• Very high/high risk: Every 3-6 months
• Medium risk: Every 12 months
• Low risk: Every 24 months
• Photograph condition changes
• Update condition scores
• Record findings

Monthly checks:

• Any incidents or concerns reported
• Contractor briefings completed
• Permits to work issued and closed
• Training records current
• Emergency contacts up to date

Quarterly reviews:

• All scheduled inspections completed
• Actions from inspections addressed
• Register updates processed
• Communication records filed
• Compliance with plan procedures

Annual plan review

Full annual review should assess:

• All ACMs re-inspected as scheduled
• Overall condition trends
• Effectiveness of control measures
• Any incidents or near misses
• Staff and contractor feedback
• Training completion
• Budget adequacy
• Regulatory changes
• Plan improvements needed

Document the review:

• Date of review and reviewer
• Findings and observations
• Changes to be made
• Actions and responsibilities
• Approval and sign-off
• Next review date

Updating the plan

Update immediately when:

• New ACMs discovered
• ACMs removed or repaired
• Building alterations completed
• Building use changed
• Duty holder changed
• Serious incident occurred
• New risks identified

Version control:

• Increment version number
• Date the update
• Document what changed
• Communicate changes to all holders
• Archive superseded versions
• Update distribution list

Communicate updates:

• Brief all affected staff
• Update contractor information packs
• Revise quick reference materials
• Re-issue relevant sections
• Confirm receipt and understanding

Common mistakes to avoid

Mistakes in creating plans

Plan sits unused:

• Created to tick compliance box
• Too complex or theoretical
• Not communicated to those who need it
• Not integrated into operations
• No one assigned responsibility

Solution: Make plan practical and usable. Assign clear responsibilities. Integrate with existing safety procedures. Train everyone involved.

Register not accessible:

• Locked in office or filing cabinet
• Only one person knows where it is
• Not provided to contractors
• Digital access not available
• Out-of-date version in circulation

Solution: Multiple copies available. Digital access provided. Include in contractor packs. Display emergency information. Version control system.

Risk assessments ignored:

• Focus only on presence of asbestos, not risk
• All ACMs treated the same regardless of condition
• No prioritization of actions
• Resources wasted on low-risk materials

Solution: Use proper risk assessment methodology. Prioritize based on condition and likelihood of disturbance. Focus resources where risk is highest.

Mistakes in implementation

No one checks the register:

• Contractors not briefed before work
• Permit to work doesn't reference asbestos
• Staff unaware of ACM locations
• Register checked after work started

Solution: Mandatory register check before any work. Contractor briefing with sign-off. Permit to work integrated with asbestos procedures.

Inspections not done:

• Schedule not followed
• No one assigned responsibility
• No time or budget allocated
• Findings not recorded
• Actions not followed up

Solution: Calendar reminders set. Named individuals responsible. Budget allocated. Simple inspection forms. Follow-up tracked.

Plan never updated:

• Original plan from years ago
• ACMs removed but still in register
• New ACMs discovered but not added
• Responsibilities changed but not documented
• Review dates passed

Solution: Formal review schedule. Version control. Update procedure. Change management process. Annual audit.

Templates and resources

What to include in your plan template

A comprehensive template should have sections for:

1. Document control — version, date, approval, distribution
2. Building information — address, description, use, history
3. Legal framework — regulations, duty holder, responsibilities
4. Roles and responsibilities — who does what
5. Asbestos register — complete list with risk assessments
6. Management procedures — how risks will be managed
7. Control measures — physical and procedural controls
8. Information provision — contractor briefing procedures
9. Training requirements — who needs what training
10. Monitoring and inspection — schedules and procedures
11. Emergency procedures — what to do if asbestos disturbed
12. Review and update — how plan will be maintained
13. Appendices — forms, contacts, floor plans, photographs

Useful forms and checklists

Inspection record form:

• ACM reference number and location
• Date and inspector name
• Condition observations
• Photographs
• Condition score updated
• Actions required
• Next inspection due

Contractor briefing record:

• Contractor name and company
• Work description and location
• Date of briefing and who gave it
• Asbestos information provided
• Competence verified
• Understanding confirmed
• Signed acknowledgment

Permit to work:

• Work description and location
• Asbestos register checked (mandatory)
• ACMs in or near work area
• Precautions required
• Competent person verified
• Method statement approved
• Emergency procedures understood
• Issued by / Date
• Work complete sign-off

Incident report:

• Date, time, location of incident
• Description of what happened
• Materials disturbed
• People exposed
• Immediate actions taken
• Investigation findings
• Corrective actions
• Lessons learned

Integration with other systems

Your asbestos management plan shouldn't exist in isolation.

Health and safety management system

Link with:

• General risk assessments
• Health and safety policy
• Training programs
• Contractor management procedures
• Incident reporting
• Audit schedules

Benefits:

• Consistent approach to all risks
• Shared responsibilities and resources
• Better communication
• Integrated training
• Efficient record keeping

Facilities management systems

Integration points:

• Planned maintenance schedules
• Reactive maintenance procedures
• Contractor databases
• Building information systems
• Asset management
• Work order systems

Practical integration:

• Asbestos check built into work order process
• Register accessible through FM system
• Inspection schedules linked to maintenance calendar
• Contractor briefing part of standard procedure

Building information and documentation

Coordination with:

• Building operation manuals
• Health and safety file (CDM)
• Building plans and as-builts
• Service and maintenance records
• Building handover documentation
• Property transaction documents

Ensures:

• Consistent information
• Complete building picture
• Smooth handovers
• Due diligence support
• Historical record

Frequently asked questions

Summary

An effective asbestos management plan:

Is legally required:

• For all non-domestic buildings where duty to manage applies
• Must set out how asbestos risks will be managed
• Must be in writing and kept up to date
• Must be implemented, not just created

Contains essential elements:

• Current asbestos register
• Risk assessments and management actions
• Clear roles and responsibilities
• Procedures for providing information
• Monitoring and inspection schedules
• Emergency procedures
• Review and update processes

Must be actively implemented:

• Not just a paper exercise
• Integrated into daily operations
• Communicated to everyone who needs it
• Regularly reviewed and updated
• Supported with adequate resources

Protects people and demonstrates compliance:

• Prevents accidental exposure
• Supports safe building use and maintenance
• Evidence of meeting legal duties
• Reduces risk of prosecution
• Protects workers, contractors, and occupants

Next steps

To develop your asbestos management approach:

Understanding the duty to manage asbestos →

Types of asbestos surveys →

What is an asbestos survey? →

Related articles:

• Understanding the duty to manage asbestos
• Types of asbestos surveys
• What is an asbestos survey?
• Do I need an asbestos survey?

Useful tools:

• Asbestos Duty Checker
• Responsibility Checker