Understanding the Role of Service Providers in the UK’s Asbestos Management Plan

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Asbestos, once hailed for its insulation and fire-retardant properties, is now globally recognized as a hazardous material. In the United Kingdom, its legacy continues to pose significant health and safety challenges, especially in infrastructure over two decades old. To address this, the Highways Agency (HA) introduced a comprehensive General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP) to manage risks related to Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) across the strategic road network. A crucial aspect of this strategy involves the role of Service Providers, who are tasked with the practical execution of asbestos management initiatives.

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This blog delves deep into the responsibilities, protocols, and importance of service providers in executing the UK’s asbestos management strategy, particularly under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR 2006, revised in CAR 2012).

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What is the UK’s General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP)?

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The General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP) outlines the UK Highways Agency’s approach to managing asbestos within highway-related assets, including roads, bridges, depots, and tunnels. The GAMP provides an overarching framework to ensure compliance with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) — the "Duty to Manage" asbestos.

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The GAMP acts as an umbrella document, setting the expectation that all involved parties—especially Service Providers—produce detailed Asbestos Action Plans (AAPs) and Asbestos Management Plans (AAMPs/SAMPs) for each relevant asset or scheme.

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Who Are the Service Providers?

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Service Providers include a broad spectrum of entities such as:

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• Managing Agent Contractors (MACs)
• Technology MACs
• Early Contractor Involvement teams
• Design & Build Contractors
• Major Projects Directorate (MPD) Contractors
• Specialist Consultants and Subcontractors

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These providers are directly responsible for inspecting, documenting, and managing asbestos risks across thousands of assets that make up the UK’s strategic road network.

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Key Responsibilities of Service Providers

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1. Planning and Compliance

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Service Providers must ensure their activities align with both the GAMP and the Interim Advice Note (IAN) 63/05, which provides specific instructions and templates for managing asbestos. They are required to:

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• Complete Asbestos Action Plans (AAPs) for designated highway lengths (typically every 5km).
• Achieve a minimum annual coverage target of 5% of their designated network.
• Prioritize older parts of the network and areas with suspected ACMs.

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2. Executing Surveys

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Providers conduct asbestos-related surveys, including:

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• Management Surveys
• Refurbishment/Demolition Surveys

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Priority is given to schemes involving:

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• Planned maintenance or improvement
• Suspected ACM presence
• High-risk structures like tunnels, bridges, and depots

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3. Developing and Uploading AAPs

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AAPs must be:

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• Developed using standardized templates
• Uploaded to the appropriate HA databases like TPMS, SMIS, and HAPMS
• Maintained in PDF format only, properly tagged as per IAN 63/05

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4. Cooperation with Stakeholders

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Service Providers must collaborate with:

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• HA Area Providers
• Emergency Services
• Utility companies
• Local authorities
• Other third-party stakeholders

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This ensures everyone working on or around affected assets is informed about potential asbestos risks.

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5. Monitoring and Feedback

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Monthly reporting of targets and progress is mandatory. Providers must:

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• Use structured reporting formats
• Address audit findings and implement improvements
• Maintain transparent records accessible to HA and auditors

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Asset Types Under Service Provider Responsibility

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Service Providers manage a wide variety of infrastructure elements, including:

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• 7,500 km of highways
• 16,000+ highway structures (e.g., bridges, culverts)
• 100,000+ electrical components
• Buildings like control centres, depots, and maintenance facilities
• Tunnels and roadside equipment

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Any asset constructed before 2000 is considered high-risk unless proven otherwise, as the UK banned ACMs in November 1999.

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Special Focus: Asbestos in Highway Assets

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Common ACM Locations:

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• Bridges: Permanent formwork, gaskets, drainage pipes
• Tunnels: Ventilation ducting, insulation, fireproof linings
• Buildings: Roofing, drainage, insulation materials
• Electrical Cabinets: Panels and fuse assemblies

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The widespread presence of ACMs in such critical infrastructure elevates the importance of a well-structured management approach.

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Ensuring Training and Competency

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Training is an essential compliance pillar. Service Providers must:

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• Nominate an AAP Owner
• Ensure an adequate number of staff are trained in asbestos awareness
• Meet the requirements outlined in Regulation 10 of CAR 2006

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The Highways Agency no longer provides formal training but offers access to training materials upon request.

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Monitoring and Review Process

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Annual reviews of the GAMP are conducted by the HA Asbestos Management Team (HAAMT) to answer critical compliance questions:

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• Are the arrangements working?
• Are Providers fulfilling their obligations?
• Are health risks being effectively minimized?

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Data from monthly progress reports, audits, and HAAMT evaluations is used to update the GAMP and influence future compliance strategies.

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The Importance of Collaboration

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Effective asbestos management is impossible without coordination. Providers are expected to:

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• Share information
• Collaborate across departments and organizations
• Notify affected third parties, including utility companies and local councils
• Engage proactively with HA and regulatory audits

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This ecosystem of collaboration ensures that everyone has the information and authority to act on asbestos risks promptly and responsibly.

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Conclusion

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The UK’s General Asbestos Management Plan demonstrates a proactive and structured approach to asbestos risk mitigation, particularly across the vast and ageing strategic road network. Service Providers play a critical role in executing this plan—from conducting surveys to maintaining detailed records and ensuring health and safety compliance.

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Through rigorous planning, training, cooperation, and monitoring, Service Providers not only fulfil regulatory obligations but also contribute to a safer environment for workers and the public alike.

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