JSP 375 Vol 2 

MoD Health & Safety Handbook 

18.11  Separate risk assessments should be conducted for exposure to any other hazardous 

material during the entire work process, e.g. use of spray adhesive or expanding foam, in the 

construction of enclosures. Consideration should also be given to the likely thermal environment of 

the work and appropriate risk assessments made. These should take into account the wearing of 

personal protective equipment. 

PLAN OF WORK (OR METHOD STATEMENT) 

19  For certain work involving asbestos, such as demolition, construction work or work on removing 

asbestos or asbestos containing products from buildings or structures, installations or ships, a plan of 

work should be drawn up before work of any kind begins.  Where removal of insulation, insulating board 

or lagging is required, the work must normally be done only by a contractor licensed by the HSE.  The 

plan of work, sometimes called the method statement and described in full in the appropriate Approved 

Codes of Practice, should include the following information: 

19.1 

The nature and probable duration of the work; 

19.2 

The address and location of the work to be carried out; 

19.3 

The methods to be used where the work involves the handling of asbestos or of material 

containing asbestos; and 

19.4 

The characteristics of the equipment, including personal protective equipment, used for: 

19.4.1 

The protection and decontamination of those carrying out the work 

19.4.2 

The protection of other people present, or near the worksite. 

NOTIFICATION 

20  For work which does not require a licence from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the duty to 

notify HSE applies only on the first occasion when work with asbestos is liable to result in employees  

exposure exceeding the appropriate action level.  This might be the very first job carried out, or it could 

be one of a number of consecutive jobs that triggers the notification requirement, because the action 

level relates to cumulative exposures over a continuous 12 week period.  The only exception to this 

general rule is where subsequent work would be materially different from that normally carried out and 

described in the first notification: in such instances separate notification must be submitted. 

21  Where notification is required, the local HSE office must be notified at least 14 days before 

commencement of the work.  It should also be noted that any work governed by the Construction 

(Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) also require notification, under specific conditions. 

INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING 

22  Adequate information, instruction and training must be provided to: 

22.1 

Those who are or are liable to be exposed to asbestos, so that they are aware of the risks 

to health from asbestos, the precautions that they must use and observe, and how they are to use 

those precautions; and 

22.2 

Those who carry out any work in connection with the employer s duties under these 

Regulations, so that they can carry out that work effectively, including testing, property/project 

management and sampling. 

Leaflet 5 Annex A 

Page 6 

 April 

2003