eoin From what sort of person or other source did the suggestion about asbestos cement roofs come? Someone who removes such roofs and is trying to drum up new business perhaps?!! If a requirement to remove such roofs by (say end of) 2018 does exist, it gives just over 2 years for the removal of what are probably hundreds of acres of asbestos cement roofs on warehouses, agricultural buildings and other commercial buildings plus countless domestic garages and sheds, etc. throughout the UK. Also, I guess that such work, including the installation of replacement roofs, would be very expensive and also demanding as regards necessary precautions including considerations about work at height and exposure to asbestos fibres which could be released by such work. Furthermore, does the UK have sufficient numbers of companies which are capable of carrying out such work safely and effectively within such a finite period of time? For all these reasons I am highly sceptical that such a requirement exists. Graham B

Thank you both for your replies.....it was indeed mentioned during discussions for replacement workshop roofs....I had heard nothing of such a plan and thought the 2 year window to remove all asbestos cement roof sheets was far too small . Panic over....thank you.

quote=A Kurdziel]Next time someone (trying to drum up business usually) says something is going to be banned, outlawed or otherwise criminalised usually within the next 6 months, why don’t people challenge them and ask exactly which piece of legislation the person is on about. I am talking legislation, not guidance; suggestion from the guild of dodgy suppliers or letters column of the Beano (read Daily mail). Actual legislation published by the government. That will probably shut them up and save you time and worry

Descarte8 - Having briefly read it I think that is the very piece that was being referred too during the conversation, just a few years out - I will read this in full this evening. Thank you I did ask where this reference was coming from but the reply was a bit vague and I wasn't aware of it. Anyway thanks again

Stern - In response to your recollection at #9 have a look at http://www.safesurveys.i...Asbestos_bill_paper.docx which summarises why the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health at Westminster seeks legislation to require the removal of all asbestos which remains in place across Britain, i.e. in all buildings not just public buildings. The above link was included in an e-mail to all IOSH members in August 2015 from Richard Jones, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH HQ along with a short questionnaire asking whether or not IOSH should support the Parliamentary Group's aim regarding asbestos. Feedback about the survey results does not appear to be readily available on the IOSH website. Therefore, I hope that this will prompt a response with such information or at least a link to where it can be read. For what it was worth, my own response to the survey was that the Parliament Group's aim was highly commendable but far from reasonably practicable. The reasons for this view include the following: i) it would involve a vast number of buildings of many different types and in almost countless ownerships. ii) the sheer scale and complexity of work required by many organisations, companies and individuals to a) effectively identify asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and b) remove them would be astronomically expensive and also technically difficult, and iii) such work could result in greater exposure to asbestos than that which occurs under the current approach of managing ACMs. In summary this approach consists of ensuring that ACMs (including suspected ACMs) in buildings are in good condition, suitably sealed where necessary and are not disturbed unless there is good reason to remove them and only with appropriate stringent precautions. Graham B

Thanks for more information.