Missed asbestos survey led to exposure during panel removal

Category

Asbestos & hazardous materials

Phase

Soft strip

Outcome

Prosecution

HSE release

20 November 2025

What happened

A team was carrying out minor building maintenance works involving the removal of wall panelling at a studio site. The asbestos-containing material within the panelling had not been identified in earlier asbestos surveys, and no adequate assessment was made before the work began. As a result, workers disturbed the material without appropriate controls, risking exposure to airborne fibres. The investigation found that the duty holder had failed to ensure a suitable and sufficient survey covered the work area, failed to provide adequate training to those carrying out the works, and had no proper emergency arrangements in place should uncontrolled disturbance occur. This case highlights that asbestos risk is not confined to major demolition projects; minor maintenance and soft strip work on older buildings can carry equal or greater risk if surveys are incomplete or out of date. Duty holders must ensure that refurbishment and demolition surveys are specific to the actual work being undertaken, not generic or historic assessments, and that site teams are trained to recognise and stop work if suspect materials are found.

Contributing factors

• Incomplete asbestos survey
• Inadequate worker training
• No emergency arrangements
• Poor pre-work assessment

What to take from it

• Commission a refurbishment and demolition survey specific to the work area before any strip-out begins.
• Do not rely on old or generic asbestos surveys for new maintenance works.
• Train all workers to recognise suspect materials and stop work immediately if found.
• Establish clear emergency procedures for accidental disturbance of asbestos.
• Verify survey coverage includes concealed elements such as panelling and linings.