2026 Asbestos Compliance Checklist for Employers

Asbestos compliance is tightening across the UK as more ageing buildings reach refurbishment stage in 2026. This quick checklist helps employers stay compliant and audit-ready throughout the year.

1. Ensure All Staff Have Valid Asbestos Awareness Training

• Certificates dated within 12 months


• IATP or UK-recognised accreditation


• Assessment included

2. Verify Training for Subcontractors

2026 frameworks now require proof of training for all subcontractors before works begin.

3. Update Your Asbestos Register

Registers must reflect current condition and recent surveys. Many estates are overdue updates.

4. Review Your Asbestos Management Plan

Plans must be reviewed at least annually — 2026 audits are focusing heavily on this area.

5. Ensure NNLW Workers Have Correct Training

Non-licensed training is mandatory for NNLW tasks. Awareness training alone is not enough.

6. Maintain Records Digitally

Clients increasingly expect digital record-keeping for certificates and risk assessments. Paper records are often rejected.

Get asbestos awareness training for your team.

Asbestos Awareness Requirements for Contractors in 2026: What’s Changed?

As we move into 2026, asbestos awareness training remains a mandatory requirement for UK contractors. Although the law itself has not changed, client expectations, site standards and audit scrutiny have all increased. Here’s what contractors need to know to stay compliant this year.

Why Requirements Feel Stricter in 2026

• More stringent pre-qualification checks from principal contractors


• Greater focus on audit trails and digital certificates


• Increased enforcement following high-profile asbestos exposure cases


• Older UK building stock creating higher risk environments

Legal Requirement Under CAR 2012

Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires anyone liable to disturb asbestos to receive asbestos awareness training. This applies to all contractors entering pre-2000 buildings.

Accepted Training in 2026

• IATP-approved online courses


• UK-recognised asbestos awareness certificates with assessment


• Certificates issued within the last 12 months

Common Contractor Mistakes in 2026

• Using non-accredited “cheap” courses rejected at site induction


• Assuming CSCS cards cover asbestos (they don’t)


• Failing to refresh training annually


• No record-keeping for subcontractors

Get compliant with 2026-ready asbestos awareness training.

Non-Licensed Asbestos Work – What Counts and What Doesn’t

The rules around asbestos work can feel deliberately confusing. One job requires a licensed contractor, another can be carried out by a trained operative under non-licensed rules, and some tasks must be notified even though they still don’t require a licence. Here’s a straightforward guide.

What Is Non-Licensed Asbestos Work?

This covers lower-risk asbestos tasks where the fibre release is expected to be minimal when proper controls are used. You still need specific training and competence, but not an HSE licence.

Examples of Non-Licensed Work

• Drilling textured coatings using controlled methods


• Removing intact asbestos cement sheets


• Lifting unbroken floor tiles with heat or hand tools


• Cleaning debris where ACMs remain in good condition

When Does It Become Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW)?

Some tasks are still non-licensed but must be notified to the enforcing authority:

• When ACMs are in poor condition


• When work is frequent or part of routine operations


• When fibre release is higher than minimal even with controls

Work That ALWAYS Requires a Licence

• Loose-fill insulation


• Sprayed coatings


• Pipes and lagging


• Any friable material requiring enclosure techniques

Training Requirements

Workers need the correct category of training for the type of task:

• Awareness (Category A): Recognising ACMs only


• Non-Licensed (Category B): Practical methods for safe handling

Our IATP-approved Non-Licensed Asbestos Course covers everything required for competence.

Why Asbestos Awareness Is Still Essential in 2025 (Despite the Ban)

Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999 — but the danger didn’t disappear. Millions of buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), and they will for decades to come.

Why the Risk Still Exists

• ACMs were used heavily until the late 1990s


• There is no legal requirement to remove asbestos unless it’s unsafe


• Many ACMs remain hidden behind walls, floors and ceilings


• Refurbishment work routinely exposes asbestos

Accidental Disturbance Is Common

Electricians, plumbers, joiners and telecoms engineers hit ACMs every day simply because they’re working blind.

Legal Requirement for Training

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, anyone liable to disturb asbestos must complete asbestos awareness training.

Who Benefits from Awareness?

• Tradespeople


• Maintenance workers


• Site managers


• Dutyholders


• Surveyors and property inspectors

Get compliant with online asbestos awareness training.

What Happens If You Disturb Asbestos? (Emergency Steps Explained)

Accidental disturbance of asbestos is more common than people think. The important thing is knowing exactly what to do in the minutes that follow. Here’s the correct procedure.

1. Stop Work Immediately

Turn off tools, step away from the area, and prevent anyone else entering.

2. Avoid Spreading Fibres

• Do not brush, sweep or touch debris


• Do not remove PPE or RPE in the contaminated area


• Avoid walking around the site unnecessarily

3. Isolate the Area

Close doors, switch off ventilation systems and put temporary signage in place if available.

4. Report the Incident

Notify the supervisor, dutyholder or site manager immediately. They must arrange a formal risk assessment.

5. Decontamination

Follow correct decontamination procedures or await professional instruction.

6. Do Not Resume Work

A competent person must reassess the area and advise whether specialist cleaning or removal is required.

Prevention starts with correct training:
Take asbestos awareness training online.

Do I Need Asbestos Awareness If I’m Just Drilling a Wall?

Short answer: yes. If your work involves drilling, fixing, cutting or disturbing building fabric in any property built before 2000, asbestos awareness training is required under UK law.

Why Drilling Is High Risk

• Asbestos can be hidden behind plasterboard


• Artex/textured coatings often contain chrysotile


• Partition walls may contain asbestos insulation board (AIB)


• Electrical and plumbing voids often contain ACM debris

What the Law Says

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require training for anyone liable to disturb asbestos during their work — and drilling is one of the most common causes of accidental exposure.

Who Needs Training?

• Electricians


• Plumbers


• Joiners


• Alarm and CCTV installers


• Telecoms engineers


• General builders

Complete your asbestos awareness training before drilling or cutting into any pre-2000 structure.

Is Online Asbestos Awareness Training Accepted on Construction Sites?

Online asbestos awareness courses are now the most common way to complete Category A training — but are they accepted on UK construction sites? Yes, as long as the course is accredited and includes a proper assessment.

What Construction Sites Check For

• Valid accreditation (IATP, UKATA or equivalent)


• Assessment at the end of the course


• Certificate with learner name, date and provider details


• Date within the last 12 months

When Online Certificates Are Not Accepted

• Courses with no exam


• Certificates without accreditation


• Training that allows fast-forwarding through modules


• Fake certificates lacking serial numbers or provider information

Why Online Is Now Preferred

• Instant certificate for inductions


• Reduced downtime


• Flexible for site teams working shifts


• Easier to audit and track

Our IATP-approved online asbestos awareness training is accepted across UK construction sites and major contractors.

The Duty to Manage Asbestos – Explained Simply (2025 Guide)

If you manage or own non-domestic premises, you have a legal responsibility under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It’s called the Duty to Manage Asbestos. Here’s a simple, non-technical breakdown of what it means.

Who Is the Dutyholder?

The dutyholder is the person or organisation with control over maintenance or repair of a building. This may be:

• The building owner


• A facilities management company


• An employer occupying the premises


• A managing agent or landlord

What You Must Do

• Identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)


• Assess their condition and risk


• Create an asbestos register


• Build and maintain an asbestos management plan


• Ensure contractors and staff receive asbestos awareness training


• Monitor ACM condition and update records regularly

Training Requirements

Dutyholders must complete, at minimum, Asbestos Awareness (Category A) training to understand risks and responsibilities.

Book Duty to Manage asbestos awareness training.

Dutyholder Responsibilities: Asbestos Awareness for Premises Managers

If you manage buildings, you carry legal responsibilities under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations. Asbestos awareness training is the foundation of that competence. Here’s what every dutyholder must know.

Your Legal Duties

• Identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)


• Assess the condition of ACMs


• Create and maintain an asbestos management plan


• Ensure anyone who may disturb ACMs is trained


• Communicate ACM risks to contractors and staff

Why Dutyholders Need Training

You can’t manage something you don’t understand. Awareness training equips you to recognise ACMs, commission surveys correctly, and avoid unlawful decisions when hiring contractors or approving works.

How Often to Refresh

Annual awareness refresher training is recommended, particularly for anyone managing estates with ageing fabric.

Book dutyholder asbestos awareness training.

Online Asbestos Training vs Cheap Providers – What to Watch For

Not all asbestos training is created equal. Cheap courses flood the market, but many fail basic compliance checks on construction sites. Here’s what to look out for before booking.

1. No Recognised Accreditation

If a certificate isn’t from an IATP or UK-recognised body, many principal contractors will reject it.

2. No Assessment or Test

If there’s no exam at the end, the course does not meet HSE expectations for “adequate training”.

3. Instant Pass Without Learning

Courses that let users skip modules or click through rapidly are a compliance risk — and a red flag during audits.

4. No Audit Trail

Legitimate courses provide timestamps, scoring, and learner tracking. Cheap providers often don’t.

5. Certificates Missing Required Details

A usable certificate needs: learner name, date, accreditation, provider details, and unique ID.

Choose Approved Training

UKASL’s asbestos awareness courses are IATP-approved, with full assessment, instant certificates and audit-ready records.

Start online asbestos training.