Suppose you own, manage, or are responsible for non-domestic premises built before 2000. In that case, you are legally classified as a duty holder under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, meaning you must identify and manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) to prevent risk to anyone working in or occupying the building.

Your responsibilities include locating and assessing the condition of any ACMs, creating an up-to-date asbestos register, and preparing an asbestos management plan, which requires regular review and communication to anyone who could disturb asbestos during maintenance or refurbishment works. You are also required to ensure that all relevant parties, including contractors, consultants, and building occupants, are aware of the risks and understand how to manage them safely.

Starfish Construction supports duty holders with end-to-end asbestos compliance solutions. Our services range from surveys and material sampling to risk assessments, project planning, and safe removal and disposal. By partnering with us, duty holders can fulfil their legal obligations, protect building users, and maintain safe and compliant spaces, particularly within complex, high-risk environments such as healthcare estates, high-rise accommodations, and educational settings.

The only reliable way to identify asbestos in a building is through a professional asbestos survey carried out by a qualified and accredited team. At Starfish Construction, we deliver Management Surveys and refurbishment and demolition surveys that locate and assess the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Once the survey is complete, a detailed report is produced, outlining the location of asbestos, its condition, potential for disturbance, and recommended next steps. Our reports provide updates to the building's asbestos register and offer advice on risk mitigation, including safe Management, encapsulation, or complete removal.

What happens next depends on the type and condition of the ACMs. Not all asbestos requires removal. In many cases, if materials are undisturbed and in good condition, they can remain in place with proper monitoring and maintenance. If removal is required, Starfish Construction can manage the process safely, including air monitoring, waste disposal, and regulatory clearance.

We record all findings and actions to support ongoing compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and to protect future building users and workers.

Yes, asbestos can often be safely managed in occupied buildings without requiring complete removal, as long as the materials are in good condition, unlikely to be disturbed, and a robust management plan is in place. Our approach, services and documentation align with the recognised and compliant approach under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

We specialise in asbestos management strategies that minimise disruption to building occupants while maintaining safety and compliance. Our team conducts detailed surveys and risk assessments to determine whether materials can remain in place with regular monitoring, labelling, and strict access controls.

Our approach is efficient in healthcare environments, education facilities, and residential settings where decanting or relocation is not feasible. We also support clients in planning for future refurbishment or remedial works, ensuring that any potential disturbance is adequately assessed and managed through controlled procedures or phased removal when required.

Importantly, non-removal of asbestos certainly doesn't mean you can ignore it. An up-to-date asbestos register must be maintained and shared with anyone who may come into contact with areas affected by asbestos. We help clients build clear, actionable management plans that balance compliance, operational needs, and duty holder responsibilities, all without, wherever appropriate, unnecessary disruption.

Starfish Construction offers a comprehensive suite of asbestos management services, specifically designed for complex or high-risk environments, including live healthcare facilities, high-rise residential buildings, schools, and public sector assets. We understand that managing asbestos in these settings requires careful planning, clear communication, and minimal disruption.

Our service begins with a consultation and review of your existing asbestos register and management plan (if available). From there, we conduct targeted Management or refurbishment and demolition surveys to locate and assess asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), always working around the live operations of your site.

We then deliver clear reports and risk guidance, helping you decide if safe management of materials is appropriate or requires removal. Where removal is necessary, we coordinate the process through our licensed asbestos contractors, manage tenant or stakeholder engagement, and provide air monitoring and post-removal validation.

Throughout every phase, our focus is on safety, compliance, and clarity. We work closely with clients, facilities teams, and project partners to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities and the required steps. Our approach is essential for unlocking wider construction works, supporting Building Safety Fund projects, and aligning with your legal obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations.

An asbestos management plan is a legally required document for non-domestic buildings that outlines how to manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) to prevent health risks. It forms a critical part of your compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and is essential for protecting building occupants, workers, and contractors.

The plan should include the location and condition of any known asbestos, the methods used to control the risks, the frequency of any necessary monitoring or re-inspections, and the party responsible for managing the process. It must also detail procedures for emergencies, planned works, and communication with those who may be affected.

At Starfish Construction, we assist clients in developing and implementing effective asbestos management plans, informed by professional surveys, risk assessments, and operational realities. Our plans are clear, site-specific, and tailored to your environment, whether that's a live hospital ward, a school undergoing refurbishment, or a multi-occupancy residential block.

Crucially, you must keep your asbestos management plan up to date and review it regularly, especially when carrying out work on the building or if conditions change. Failing to maintain a live asbestos management plan not only puts people at risk but can also lead to enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). With Starfish Construction you have a compliance partner.