How to Record an Asbestos Awareness Video for Your Health and Safety System

Why Record an Asbestos Awareness Video?

Asbestos is a serious health hazard. When asbestos containing materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibres that, when inhaled, can cause fatal diseases including mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. These diseases often take decades to develop, but once diagnosed, they are usually incurable. Asbestos exposure is entirely preventable through proper management.

Asbestos can be found in any industrial, commercial, or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000. If your premises fall into this category, you have a duty to ensure that people working for you are not exposed to asbestos containing materials in the course of their work, and that you do not expose other people to the risk of exposure as a result of your work activity.

A video recording supports effective asbestos management in several important ways. It allows you to explain to your workforce why asbestos is dangerous and why it must never be disturbed. It communicates where asbestos containing materials have been identified in your specific building. It reinforces the critical message that certain materials must not be drilled, cut, sanded, or otherwise disturbed. And it demonstrates your organisation's commitment to protecting everyone from this invisible danger.

Step 1: Set the Scene and Context

Opening Your Video

Begin by establishing the serious nature of asbestos and the legal duty to manage it. The tone should be serious—asbestos kills, and this is not a topic where casual treatment is appropriate.

Sample opening script:

"Welcome to our asbestos awareness training. This is one of the most important safety topics we cover, and I need your full attention.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials until it was banned. It's found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000. When asbestos containing materials are disturbed, they release tiny fibres that can cause fatal diseases.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 places strict duties on us. We must ensure that people working here are not exposed to asbestos containing materials in the course of their work. We must also ensure that we do not expose other people—contractors, visitors, anyone—to asbestos as a result of our work activity.

This training will explain what we know about asbestos in our building, where it may be present, and—most importantly—what you must do to avoid disturbing it. Your life may depend on following this guidance."

Explaining Why Asbestos Is Dangerous

Help employees understand the serious health consequences of asbestos exposure. This creates understanding of why the rules exist.

Sample script:

"Asbestos causes several serious diseases, all of which can be fatal.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen. It is almost always caused by asbestos exposure and is almost always fatal. There is no cure.

Asbestos-related lung cancer is similar to lung cancer caused by smoking, but caused by inhaling asbestos fibres.

Asbestosis is scarring of the lung tissue caused by asbestos fibres. It causes increasing breathlessness and can be fatal.

These diseases typically take 15 to 60 years to develop after exposure. Someone exposed today may not become ill until decades later. By then, nothing can be done.

The fibres that cause these diseases are invisible. You cannot see them, smell them, or taste them. The only protection is never being exposed in the first place. That's why asbestos management is so critical."

The Regulatory Framework

Briefly explain the legal requirements so employees understand this is a serious legal duty.

Talking points:

• The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 govern asbestos management
• Those responsible for buildings have a duty to manage asbestos
• This includes identifying asbestos, assessing its condition, and preventing exposure
• There are strict controls on any work that might disturb asbestos
• Failure to manage asbestos properly is a criminal offence
• The regulations exist because asbestos kills people every year

Step 2: Plan What to Record vs Write

Content That Works Best on Video

Asbestos awareness is a topic where getting the message across clearly is essential. Video allows you to communicate the seriousness while also showing specific locations and materials in your building. Prioritise these elements:

Record on video:

• Why asbestos is dangerous and why exposure must be prevented
• What an asbestos survey is and what it tells us
• Where asbestos containing materials have been identified in your building
• What these materials look like and why they must not be disturbed
• What to do if you think you've found asbestos or damaged asbestos material
• The critical rule: never drill, cut, sand, or disturb suspect materials

Document in writing:

• The full asbestos survey and its findings
• Detailed locations of all asbestos containing materials
• The action plan and its recommendations
• Procedures for work that might affect asbestos materials
• Contact details for reporting concerns
• Review schedules and responsibilities

Structuring Your Recording

Plan your video to flow from understanding the danger through to practical awareness in your specific building. A logical structure might be:

1. Why asbestos is dangerous
2. Where asbestos is found
3. Our duty to manage asbestos
4. The asbestos survey and what it found
5. Where asbestos is located in our building
6. What you must do to avoid exposure
7. What to do if you're concerned
8. Monitoring and review

Step 3: Explain the Core Rules and Requirements

Buildings Built Before 2000

Explain which buildings may contain asbestos and why surveys are necessary.

Sample script:

"Asbestos can be found in any industrial, commercial, or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000. If our premises fall into this category—and most do—we have a duty to identify and manage any asbestos present.

Asbestos was used in thousands of building products because of its fire resistance, insulation properties, and durability. It could be in ceiling tiles, floor tiles, pipe insulation, textured coatings, roof materials, and many other places.

You cannot tell by looking whether a material contains asbestos. The only way to know is through proper testing. That's why asbestos surveys are essential."

Asbestos Surveys for Owned Buildings

Explain the survey requirements for buildings that are owned.

Sample script:

"For buildings built prior to 2000 that we own, Responsible Persons arrange an asbestos survey. This survey records all asbestos containing materials—often called ACMs—located on site.

The survey is conducted by a qualified professional who examines the building systematically, identifies materials that may contain asbestos, takes samples for laboratory analysis, and produces a report documenting what was found and where.

Once we have the survey results, we are responsible for addressing the recommendations. This might mean removal of asbestos materials, labelling locations where asbestos is present, or managing the materials by ensuring they're not disturbed. Responsible Persons address the action plan in line with the recommended timescales."

Asbestos Surveys for Leased Buildings

Explain the approach when the building is leased.

Talking points:

• For buildings built prior to 2000 that are leased, Responsible Persons approach the landlord
• We need to identify whether an asbestos survey has been completed
• We need the results of that survey
• We need to know what we must do to comply with any action plan
• The landlord typically has responsibility for common areas and the building fabric
• As tenants, we need this information to protect our people

When the Landlord Hasn't Arranged a Survey

Explain what happens if a survey is needed but hasn't been done.

Sample script:

"Sometimes a building falls into the category where an asbestos survey is required, but the landlord hasn't arranged one. In this situation, Responsible Persons enter discussions to facilitate the survey with the landlord's assistance.

If the landlord refuses to conduct a survey, we don't simply accept the situation. The duty to protect our workforce from asbestos exposure remains. In this event, we will take the decision to complete the survey ourselves and liaise with the landlord to address any action plan that results.

Protecting people from asbestos is too important to be left undone because of landlord reluctance. We will take the necessary steps."

When Asbestos Is Known to Be Present

Explain how asbestos is managed when its presence is confirmed.

Sample script:

"When we know that asbestos containing materials are present in our building, we take specific steps to protect everyone.

First, we make sure that our workforce is fully aware. You need to know where asbestos is, what it looks like, and why you must not disturb it. That's part of what this training provides.

Second, work activity is arranged so as to avoid disturbing the asbestos materials. This means no drilling, cutting, sanding, or other work that could release fibres. If work needs to be done near asbestos materials, special precautions are required.

Third, we monitor and review areas where asbestos containing materials are present. We check that the materials remain in good condition and haven't been damaged or disturbed."

When No Asbestos Is Found

Explain the situation when a survey confirms no asbestos is present.

Talking points:

• When an asbestos survey has been completed and confirms no asbestos materials are present, the duty is fulfilled
• This doesn't mean the building can never have asbestos—it means a proper survey found none
• The survey results should be kept as evidence of compliance
• If building work is done in the future, new materials could be exposed
• The key is that proper assessment was conducted

Step 4: Demonstrate or Walk Through the Process

Understanding the Asbestos Survey

Explain what an asbestos survey involves and what the results mean.

Sample script:

"An asbestos survey is a systematic inspection of the building by a qualified surveyor. The surveyor examines all accessible areas, identifying materials that might contain asbestos.

When suspect materials are found, samples are taken for laboratory analysis. The laboratory confirms whether asbestos is present and identifies the type.

The survey produces several things: a list of all asbestos containing materials found and their locations, an assessment of the condition of each material, an assessment of the risk if the material is disturbed, and recommendations for managing each location.

The recommendations might include removal if the material is in poor condition or likely to be disturbed, encapsulation to seal the material and prevent fibre release, labelling to warn people of the asbestos presence, or management in place if the material is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed.

Our survey results tell us exactly where asbestos is in our building and what we need to do about each location."

Locations in Your Building

Walk through the specific locations where asbestos has been identified. This is where video adds significant value.

Sample script structure:

"Let me show you where asbestos containing materials have been identified in our building.

[At first location] This [material type] has been identified as containing asbestos. You can see the [description or label]. This material must not be drilled, cut, or disturbed in any way. If you notice any damage to this material, report it immediately.

[At second location] In this area, the [material type] contains asbestos. The survey found it's in [condition description]. Our action plan requires [management approach]. As long as it remains undisturbed, it poses no risk—but any disturbance could release fibres.

[Continue for other locations]

These labels mark locations where asbestos is present. Whenever you see these labels, remember—do not disturb the material in any way."

What Not to Do

Clearly explain the activities that must be avoided around asbestos materials.

Sample script:

"The critical rule with asbestos is simple: do not disturb it.

Never drill into materials that may contain asbestos. Never cut, sand, scrape, or abrade them. Never remove or damage them. Never undertake any activity that could break them up or damage their surface.

This means if you need to hang something on a wall, fix something, run cables, or do any work that would normally involve drilling or making holes—stop. If the area might contain asbestos, you cannot proceed with normal methods.

If you're asked to do work that would disturb suspect materials, stop and raise the concern. It is never acceptable to disturb asbestos because a job needs to be done quickly or because checking would be inconvenient.

If asbestos work is genuinely necessary, it must be done by licensed contractors with proper equipment and procedures. This is never a job for untrained staff."

What to Do If You're Concerned

Explain how to respond to concerns about asbestos.

Talking points:

• If you think you've found asbestos that isn't on the register, report it immediately
• If you notice damage to known asbestos materials, report it immediately
• If you see work being done that might disturb asbestos, stop the work and report it
• If you're asked to do work that would disturb asbestos, refuse and report it
• Never try to clean up suspected asbestos debris yourself
• When in doubt, stop and ask

Monitoring and Review

Explain how asbestos locations are monitored over time.

Sample script:

"Areas where asbestos containing materials are present are monitored and reviewed regularly. This monitoring checks that the materials remain in good condition, haven't been damaged, and haven't been disturbed.

If the condition of asbestos materials changes—if they become damaged, start to deteriorate, or are at increased risk of disturbance—the action plan is reviewed and updated.

Monitoring helps us catch problems early. If you notice any change in the condition of asbestos materials—cracking, damage, deterioration—report it so it can be assessed and addressed."

Step 5: Highlight Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Assuming a Building Has No Asbestos Without a Survey

Signs this is happening:

• Buildings built before 2000 haven't had asbestos surveys
• Assumptions are made based on appearance rather than testing
• Work is done without checking for asbestos because "it probably isn't there"
• The absence of obvious asbestos materials is taken as proof there's none
• Cost or inconvenience is used to justify not surveying

How to avoid it:

Ensure any building built or refurbished before 2000 has a proper asbestos survey. Do not assume based on appearance—asbestos cannot be identified visually. Responsible Persons must arrange surveys for owned buildings and obtain survey information for leased buildings. Without a survey, you don't know what you're dealing with.

Mistake 2: Not Acting on Survey Recommendations

Signs this is happening:

• Surveys are done but action plans aren't implemented
• Recommendations for removal or labelling are ignored
• Timescales for action are exceeded without completion
• Cost is used to justify delay in addressing asbestos
• The survey is filed away and forgotten

How to avoid it:

Address the recommendations documented in the survey in line with recommended timescales. Responsible Persons must ensure action plans are implemented. If removal is recommended, arrange removal. If labelling is required, label. If monitoring is needed, establish monitoring. Don't let surveys become paperwork exercises.

Mistake 3: Not Obtaining Survey Information from Landlords

Signs this is happening:

• Leased buildings are occupied without knowing about asbestos
• Landlords haven't been asked about surveys
• Staff work in buildings where asbestos status is unknown
• Responsibility is assumed to lie entirely with the landlord
• No effort is made to understand asbestos risks in leased premises

How to avoid it:

For leased buildings built prior to 2000, Responsible Persons must approach the landlord to identify whether a survey has been completed, obtain the results, and understand what must be done to comply with any action plan. If the landlord hasn't arranged a survey, enter discussions to facilitate one.

Mistake 4: Accepting Landlord Refusal to Survey

Signs this is happening:

• Landlords refuse to arrange surveys and the matter is dropped
• Staff work in buildings where asbestos might be present but unidentified
• The duty to protect workers is abandoned because the landlord won't cooperate
• Risk is accepted because forcing the issue seems difficult
• No alternative action is taken

How to avoid it:

If a landlord refuses to conduct a survey, don't accept the situation. The duty to protect your workforce remains regardless of landlord cooperation. Take the decision to complete the survey if necessary and liaise with the landlord to address any action plan. Never leave workers unprotected because a landlord is unhelpful.

Mistake 5: Not Informing the Workforce

Signs this is happening:

• Staff don't know whether asbestos is present in the building
• Asbestos locations aren't communicated to workers
• Training doesn't cover asbestos awareness
• Employees might disturb asbestos because they don't know it's there
• Information exists but isn't shared with those who need it

How to avoid it:

Make sure your workforce is fully aware when asbestos containing materials are present. Tell them what asbestos is, why it's dangerous, where it's located in your building, and what they must do to avoid disturbing it. Awareness is the foundation of protection.

Mistake 6: Allowing Work That Disturbs Asbestos

Signs this is happening:

• Drilling, cutting, or other work is done without checking for asbestos
• Maintenance tasks disturb asbestos materials
• Contractors aren't informed about asbestos locations
• Work activity isn't planned around asbestos presence
• The urgency of work is used to justify skipping asbestos checks

How to avoid it:

Arrange work activity to avoid disturbance of asbestos materials. Before any work that might affect building fabric, check asbestos records. Ensure contractors know where asbestos is located. Never let urgency override safety. If work might disturb asbestos, use licensed contractors with proper procedures.

Mistake 7: Not Monitoring Asbestos Locations

Signs this is happening:

• Known asbestos locations aren't regularly checked
• Deterioration goes unnoticed until serious
• No one has responsibility for monitoring asbestos condition
• Changes in condition aren't detected or addressed
• The action plan doesn't include ongoing monitoring

How to avoid it:

Monitor and review areas where asbestos containing materials are present. Establish regular checks to ensure materials remain in good condition. Assign responsibility for monitoring. Train those who monitor to recognise deterioration. Update the action plan if conditions change.

Mistake 8: Failing to Label Asbestos Locations

Signs this is happening:

• Asbestos is present but locations aren't marked
• Staff and contractors can't tell where asbestos is
• Labels were applied but have fallen off or faded
• New staff don't know which materials contain asbestos
• Reliance is placed on memory rather than clear marking

How to avoid it:

Where the action plan recommends labelling, ensure locations are clearly marked. Check that labels remain in place and visible. Replace labels that are damaged or missing. Ensure new staff are shown label locations. Don't rely on institutional memory—make asbestos visible.

Mistake 9: Attempting DIY Asbestos Work

Signs this is happening:

• Staff try to remove or repair asbestos materials themselves
• Damaged asbestos is cleaned up without proper procedures
• Minor asbestos work is seen as acceptable without specialists
• Cost savings are sought by avoiding licensed contractors
• The seriousness of asbestos work is underestimated

How to avoid it:

Never attempt to remove, repair, or clean up asbestos without proper licensing and procedures. Any work on asbestos materials must be done by licensed asbestos contractors with appropriate equipment and training. This is not an area for cost-cutting or DIY approaches. Lives are at stake.

Mistake 10: Complacency Because Materials Are in Good Condition

Signs this is happening:

• Asbestos in good condition is treated as if it's not a risk
• Vigilance decreases because nothing has gone wrong
• Monitoring becomes less frequent over time
• The possibility of accidental disturbance is forgotten
• Awareness training is seen as unnecessary because materials are stable

How to avoid it:

Remember that asbestos in good condition is only safe while it remains undisturbed. Conditions can change—accidental damage, deterioration, or unplanned work can create exposure risk. Maintain awareness, continue monitoring, and never become complacent. The fibres are just as deadly regardless of how long the material has been stable.

Step 6: Summarise the Key Takeaways

Closing Your Video

End with a clear summary that reinforces the critical messages about asbestos awareness.

Sample closing script:

"Let's summarise the key points from this training.

Asbestos is a serious health hazard found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 place duties on us to protect people from exposure.

We must ensure that people working for us are not exposed to asbestos containing materials in the course of their work. We must not expose other people to asbestos as a result of our work activity.

For buildings we own, Responsible Persons arrange asbestos surveys and address the recommendations in line with recommended timescales. For leased buildings, we obtain survey information from landlords and comply with action plans.

If a landlord refuses to arrange a survey where one is needed, we will complete it ourselves and address any action plan.

When we know asbestos containing materials are present, we make sure our workforce is fully aware. Work activity is arranged to avoid disturbing these materials. We monitor and review areas where asbestos is present.

Your responsibilities are clear: know where asbestos is located in our building, never drill, cut, sand, or disturb asbestos materials, report any damage or deterioration you notice, refuse any work that would disturb asbestos, and never try to handle asbestos yourself.

Asbestos kills. The fibres are invisible. The diseases are incurable. The only protection is never being exposed. Take this seriously.

Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions about asbestos in our building, please ask."

Final Checklist

Before finalising your video, confirm you have covered:

• The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
• Asbestos found in buildings built or refurbished before 2000
• The duty to prevent exposure during work and from work activities
• Asbestos surveys for owned buildings
• Addressing survey recommendations in recommended timescales
• Obtaining survey information from landlords for leased buildings
• Taking action if landlords refuse to arrange surveys
• Making workforce fully aware when asbestos is present
• Arranging work activity to avoid disturbance
• Monitoring and reviewing areas where asbestos is present
• When duty is fulfilled (survey confirms no asbestos)
• Specific locations in your building where asbestos is present
• The critical rule: never disturb asbestos materials

Additional Recording Tips

Setting the Right Tone

Asbestos is a topic where seriousness is appropriate. Don't be alarmist, but don't downplay the risk either. People die from asbestos exposure. Your tone should reflect that this is genuinely important.

Showing Specific Locations

If asbestos is present in your building, consider filming the actual locations with their labels. Seeing where asbestos actually is makes the training concrete rather than theoretical.

Addressing Uncertainty

Staff may be anxious about asbestos. Reassure them that asbestos in good condition, left undisturbed, poses no risk during normal activities. The danger comes from disturbance, which is preventable through awareness and proper procedures.

Contractor Awareness

Consider whether contractors need specific asbestos information before working in your building. Ensuring they know about asbestos locations prevents them from accidentally disturbing materials.

Conclusion

A well-produced asbestos awareness video helps communicate the serious nature of asbestos risks and ensures everyone understands their role in preventing exposure. By covering the regulatory requirements, survey processes, action plans, workforce awareness, and monitoring arrangements, you create a comprehensive training resource that protects lives.

Remember that the video is part of a broader asbestos management approach. It should be supported by proper surveys, implemented action plans, clear labelling, workforce awareness, careful work planning, and ongoing monitoring. Asbestos management is an ongoing duty, not a one-time exercise.

Your asbestos awareness video demonstrates your commitment to protecting everyone from this deadly hazard. When your workforce understands where asbestos is and why it must never be disturbed, you create the conditions for safe occupation of buildings that contain this legacy material.