An asbestos register helps organisations identify and manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building. A well-maintained asbestos register helps organisations plan work safely, protect employees and contractors, and demonstrate effective asbestos management.
This guide explains what an asbestos register is, what information it should contain, and the legal requirements that apply.
What is an asbestos register?
An asbestos register is a document that records the location, amount and condition of known or presumed ACMs within a building.
In the UK, the requirement to maintain an asbestos register arises from Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 4 which places a duty on those responsible for non-domestic premises to identify ACMs and keep an up-to-date record of the location and condition.
What is the purpose of an asbestos register?
An effective asbestos register enables organisations to:
Protect employees, contractors and visitors
The register provides essential information about the presence of asbestos-containing materials, so those who work in or visit the building can avoid accidental exposure.
Without an asbestos register, contractors may unknowingly drill, cut, sand or otherwise disturb ACMs, potentially releasing airborne fibres and exposing themselves and others to serious long-term health risks.
Support compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 4 requires duty holders to identify ACMs, maintain records of their location and condition, and make this information available to anyone liable to disturb them. The asbestos register provides documented evidence to demonstrate compliance.
Prioritise asbestos management activities
Not all ACMs present the same level of risk. By recording the condition, location and risk assessment of materials, the register helps duty holders identify which materials require monitoring, repair, encapsulation or removal. This enables resources to be directed towards the areas of greatest risk.
Record inspections and changes in material condition
ACMs can deteriorate over time or become damaged through normal building use. The asbestos register provides a record of inspections, reinspection findings and any changes in material condition.
Maintaining these records helps ensure that asbestos risks continue to be managed effectively throughout the life of the building.
Who is responsible for the asbestos register?
The person responsible for the asbestos register is the duty holder under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 4.
A duty holder is the person or organisation responsible for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises, either through a contractual obligation or because they have control of the premises. Depending on the circumstances, this may be:
- The building owner.
- A landlord.
- A managing agent.
- An employer occupying the premises.
- A facilities management company.
- Any other person with responsibility for maintenance and repair activities.
Where responsibility is shared between multiple parties, each duty holder must cooperate and coordinate their activities to ensure asbestos risks are effectively managed.
The duty holder is responsible for ensuring that an asbestos register is created, maintained and kept up to date. While they may appoint a competent asbestos surveyor or consultant to carry out surveys and provide information for the register, legal responsibility for the accuracy, availability and ongoing management of the register remains with them.
What information does a non-domestic building’s asbestos register include?
A non-domestic building asbestos register should include:
Building and survey information
The asbestos register should contain key information about the premises and the asbestos surveys that have informed the register. This includes the property address, survey reference number, survey date, survey type (such as a Management Survey or Refurbishment and Demolition Survey), the name of the surveyor or surveying organisation, and the dates the register was created and most recently reviewed.
This information helps users understand the scope, age and reliability of the asbestos information provided.
Location of asbestos-containing materials
The register should clearly identify the location of all known or presumed ACMs within the building. Locations are usually recorded by building area, floor, room and specific position within the room, often supported by plans, drawings or photographs.
Materials that may be recorded include pipe insulation, sprayed coatings, asbestos insulating board (AIB), ceiling tiles, textured coatings, floor tiles, asbestos cement products, fire protection systems and other building components known to contain asbestos.
Material description
Each ACM should be described in sufficient detail to enable it to be identified and managed effectively.
The register will normally record the type of product, its condition, quantity or extent, accessibility, and any relevant photographs. This information helps those carrying out work understand what materials are present and where additional precautions may be required.
Asbestos identification information
Where materials have been sampled and analysed, the register should include the results of laboratory testing. This may identify the type of asbestos present, such as chrysotile, amosite or crocidolite, together with sample reference numbers and analysis dates.
Where sampling has not been undertaken, the register should indicate that the material is presumed to contain asbestos.
Risk assessment and priority information
The register should include information that helps assess the risk presented by ACMs and prioritise management activities. This may include material assessment scores, priority assessment scores, overall risk ratings, recommended inspection frequencies and the urgency of any remedial actions.
By considering factors such as material type, condition, accessibility and the likelihood of disturbance, these assessments help duty holders identify which materials require monitoring, repair, encapsulation or removal.
Condition assessment and recommended actions
The condition of each asbestos-containing material should be recorded together with any recommended management actions. Materials in good condition may only require routine inspection, while damaged or deteriorating materials may need repair, encapsulation, restricted access or removal.
Recording these actions helps duty holders prioritise asbestos management activities and maintain compliance.
Inspection, monitoring and review records
The register should maintain a record of ongoing inspections and reviews. This provides evidence that asbestos-containing materials are being monitored and managed appropriately over time.
Records may include inspection dates, observations on material condition, changes since previous inspections, newly identified risks and recommendations for further action.
Remedial and removal records
Any asbestos management work carried out within the building should be documented in the register. This may include repairs, encapsulation works, labelling, removal activities and any associated clearance documentation.
Maintaining these records ensures there is a clear history of how asbestos risks have been managed and identifies any materials that remain in place.
Asbestos register requirements
The requirement to maintain an asbestos register arises from Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
The asbestos register should:
Be based on accurate asbestos information
The register should be compiled from information obtained from asbestos surveys, inspections and other investigations carried out within the building. This information should be sufficient to identify the location and condition of known or presumed ACMs.
Be kept up to date
The register should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever ACMs are damaged, repaired, encapsulated or removed, or when new information becomes available. It should also reflect any refurbishment work, newly identified asbestos-containing materials or changes to the building that may affect the management of asbestos risks.
Record changes and management activities
The register should reflect actions taken to manage asbestos risks, including inspections, condition assessments, repairs, encapsulation works, asbestos removal projects and any recommendations for further action. Maintaining this information provides a clear history of how asbestos risks have been managed over time.
Be accessible to those who need the information
The register should be readily available to anyone who may disturb asbestos-containing materials during their work, including employees, contractors, maintenance personnel and refurbishment teams. Providing access to accurate asbestos information helps prevent accidental disturbance and exposure to asbestos fibres.
What is an asbestos sampling register?
An asbestos sampling register records materials that have been tested for asbestos and the corresponding laboratory results.
Some organisations incorporate the asbestos sampling register directly into their main asbestos register, creating a combined asbestos-sampling/register that records both survey findings and analytical results.
An asbestos sampling register normally includes:
- Sample reference numbers – unique identifiers used to link each sample to a specific material and laboratory result.
- Material descriptions – details of the product or material sampled, such as pipe insulation, textured coating or asbestos insulating board.
- Exact sample locations – information on where the sample was taken, enabling materials to be accurately identified and managed.
- Laboratory analysis results – confirmation of whether asbestos was detected within the sampled material.
- Asbestos fibre type identified – the type of asbestos present, such as chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) or crocidolite (blue asbestos).
- Sampling dates – records of when samples were collected to support traceability and future review.
- Analyst details – information about the laboratory or analyst who carried out the testing, providing assurance that the analysis was undertaken by a competent organisation.
These records provide evidence supporting the findings recorded within the asbestos register.
Do domestic properties need an asbestos register?
Individual private homes are not generally subject to the duty to manage asbestos and therefore do not normally require an asbestos register.
However, the communal areas of residential buildings are covered by the duty to manage asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 4. This includes shared areas such as entrance halls, stairwells, corridors, plant rooms, boiler rooms and lift shafts.
How to check an asbestos register before starting work
Before carrying out maintenance, repair, installation or refurbishment work, the asbestos register should be reviewed to determine whether any known or presumed ACMs could be affected by the work.
Start by identifying the exact work area and checking the register for any ACMs located within or adjacent to that area. Review the information provided, including the material type, location, condition and any recommendations or restrictions relating to the material. Building plans, photographs and material reference numbers can help confirm whether the planned work could disturb the asbestos-containing material.
It is also important to consider whether the information in the register is sufficient for the work being planned. The register reflects the findings of previous asbestos surveys and inspections. If the work will involve accessing concealed areas or disturbing parts of the building that have not previously been surveyed, further asbestos surveying may be required before work begins.
If ACMs are present, or there is any uncertainty about whether asbestos could be disturbed, work should not proceed until appropriate advice has been obtained and suitable control measures are in place.
Help employees recognise and manage asbestos risks
Our Asbestos Awareness course helps employees recognise where ACMs may be found, understand the health risks associated with exposure, and know what actions to take if they encounter suspected asbestos during their work.
The course covers the types of ACMs commonly found in buildings, the purpose of asbestos surveys and asbestos registers and legal requirements under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Available online, virtually or face-to-face, our training can be tailored to reflect your organisation’s activities, premises and workforce.
Find out more about the Asbestos Awareness course on our website, or contact our friendly team today on 0203 011 4242 / [email protected]
Adam Clarke
Managing Director (Consulting)
