Companies unaware of asbestos obligations

A local property expert has claimed more than half of West Midland's organisations which rent commercial property are unaware of their obligation to comply with asbestos regulations.

Shilpa Unarkat, an associate in the commercial property department at George Green law firm, said that regulations which came into force in 2004 are strict and must be adhered to or a company faces a potential fine or even a prison term, reports the Birmingham Post.

Ms Unarkat added that tenants must have an independent report carried out, outlining the potential hazards of the substance and any action that needs to be taken.

"Even though they do not own the premises, because tenants have control they have to comply with the regulations which impose a duty to investigate, monitor and manage asbestos in buildings," she told the newspaper.

As well as the threat of financial punishment, firms must also carry out a detailed assessment of the asbestos present in the building to safeguard workers' safety.

The Health and Safety Executive states that asbestos is the single biggest cause of work related deaths in the UK.