Health and Safety Executor Launches Consultation for Tighter Asbestos Regulations
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently launched a public consultation to strengthen the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, aiming to further protect workers and building users from asbestos exposure.
The consultation, which opened at the start of November 2025, is seeking stakeholder views on three key proposals to improve asbestos management and safety practices across Great Britain.
What are the Key Proposals?
The HSE is consulting on the following regulatory and non-regulatory measures:
- To amend the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and associated guidance to ensure the independence and impartiality of roles in the four-stage clearance process to minimise the risk of exposure from asbestos to workers and building users after the removal of asbestos
- To drive up the standard of asbestos surveys by improving guidance and using other interventions to ensure dutyholders understand the critical role of an asbestos survey in managing asbestos risk; and are equipped to commission a quality survey from a competent asbestos surveyor or organisation
- To improve guidance and use other interventions to clarify the type of work that constitutes work with asbestos, known as Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW)
Source: HSE Legislative and guidance proposals for the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Importance of Tighter Asbestos Regulations
Although asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999, it remains the largest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Around 5,000 people die every year from asbestos-related diseases, with related illnesses typically taking decades to develop after initial exposure.
James Burrell, Partner and Industrial Disease specialist at Bridge McFarland LLP, commented: “We welcome these proposed regulatory changes and hope more can be done to reduce future asbestos exposure. Our team continues to see clients who were exposed to asbestos decades ago, now facing life-changing diagnoses. These proposals for stronger regulations are a positive step forward and essential to protect today’s workers, but sadly they cannot undo the damage already caused to thousands of people across the UK.”
Have Your Say
The consultation runs until 9 January 2026. The full consultation document is available on the HSE website.
Recent Case Study – Exposure to Asbestos While Working at Immingham Docks
Bridge McFarland LLP’s industrial disease specialists have successfully secured £107,500 damages for a retired maintenance fitter who was diagnosed with asbestosis in May 2024. Our client was employed by the company, which produced chemicals and fertilisers and has settled the claim, between 1969 and 1993, working at Immingham Docks. During his employment, our client was exposed to very high levels of asbestos. His work required him to regularly remove old asbestos from pipework to carry out repairs, often working in a dusty atmosphere with very poor ventilation. He was also not provided with adequate breathing protection.
Read more about this case and how we helped: Bridge McFarland Secures £107,500 Damages for Retired Maintenance Fitter Diagnosed with Asbestosis.
Can I Make a Mesothelioma Claim?
Employers owe a duty of care to their employees to do everything they can to ensure their employees are not put at risk of harm whilst at work. The dangers of asbestos were widely known by employers many years before its ban came into force.
If you have lost a loved one due to a mesothelioma diagnosis, there is a reasonable chance of making a successful claim for compensation against the deceased’s former employer.
If you would like to learn more about asbestos-related or industrial diseases, please see our mesothelioma FAQs here.
How to Start an Asbestos Claim
Our Asbestos and Mesothelioma Solicitors offer a free, no obligation initial consultation to discuss your case, where we can highlight your legal rights, the strength of your case to claim, and the first steps to making a claim.
Your lawyer will also ensure you fully understand the various funding options available, including conditional fee agreements (‘no win, no fee’) and the likely timescales involved in pursuing a claim.
Asbestos Solicitors UK
For more information about how Bridge McFarland LLP can help you start an asbestos-related disease or mesothelioma claim, please call 0800 987 8800 or email [email protected] and speak to our experienced team.
Alternatively, if you want to make a direct enquiry, please fill in this online form, and we will get back to you.
For more information, you can visit our dedicated website for Asbestos Related Illnesses: Asbestos Awareness.
