Asbestos containing materials were used extensively as building materials in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid 1980's until prohibition in 1999. It is estimated that over half a million non-domestic premises currently contain asbestos products. For example: spray coatings, boiler and pipe insulation, insulating board, asbestos cement, textured coatings and composite products.

Asbestos is still a major killer and therefore the correct management of asbestos containing materials is essential to ensure that uncontrolled disturbances leading to airborne asbestos fibre exposure do not occur.

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (as amended) place duties on building owners to protect workers from exposure to asbestos.