Asbestos management plans in the North West

Managing asbestos within a property involves much more than simply identifying where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are located. Under UK regulations, dutyholders must have suitable arrangements in place to record critical asbestos information, assess ongoing risks, and communicate findings clearly to occupants, contractors, and maintenance teams.

MARS Consultants provides practical, compliant asbestos management plans tailored for businesses, landlords, and property managers across the North West. We help you systematically organise your asbestos records, maintain statutory compliance, and ensure identified materials are managed safely over time.

What is an asbestos management plan?

An asbestos management plan sets out how asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) identified within a property will be managed. It brings together information from asbestos surveys, registers, risk assessments, and other building records to establish clear, robust procedures.

An effective management plan helps establish:

  • Where asbestos-containing materials have been identified
  • The current condition of identified ACMs
  • Who is responsible for managing asbestos on-site
  • How asbestos information is accurately recorded and maintained
  • How the condition of ACMs will be monitored over time
  • How key information is communicated to relevant occupants and contractors
  • What safety procedures must be followed before any work takes place
  • When asbestos information should be reviewed and updated

The exact content of your management plan will reflect your specific property, its day-to-day use, the identified materials, and the arrangements already in place.

Who needs an asbestos management plan?

Asbestos management arrangements are particularly relevant to organisations and individuals responsible for maintaining and managing non-domestic premises.

MARS Consultants can assist:

  • Commercial property owners
  • Landlords
  • Property managers
  • Facilities managers
  • Building managers
  • Employers
  • Property developers
  • Schools and other organisations
  • Industrial premises
  • Offices and commercial buildings
  • Retail premises
  • Contractors responsible for building maintenance

If you are responsible for a property containing asbestos, we can help you understand what information and management arrangements may be required.

What does an asbestos management plan include?

The exact contents of an asbestos management plan depend on your premises and the available survey data. Below are the key components typically incorporated to ensure safety and statutory compliance.

Asbestos register

A comprehensive record of all known or presumed asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within the premises. This details their specific location, material type, current condition, extent, and any critical findings identified during asbestos surveys.

Defined roles and responsibilities

Clear identification of the nominated dutyholders and individuals responsible for managing asbestos across the site. This establishes accountability for maintaining records, overseeing safety protocols, and ensuring statutory duties are upheld.

Asbestos risk management strategy

Practical guidance on how identified materials will be safely managed. Protocols are determined by material condition, accessibility, vulnerability to damage, and everyday operational activity within the building.

Monitoring and re-inspection arrangements

Structured schedules and inspection procedures to regularly assess the physical condition of ACMs over time and promptly record any deterioration or environmental changes.

Communication procedures

Established processes for sharing up-to-date asbestos data with building occupants, facilities personnel, and visiting maintenance contractors before any on-site activities begin.

Work control and permit systems

Arrangements to check and verify asbestos registers prior to starting maintenance, refurbishment, or installation works that could potentially disturb structural materials.

Review and update procedures

Defined review timelines ensuring your asbestos management plan remains live, compliant, and updated whenever premises change, new survey findings emerge, or remedial work occurs.

Our asbestos management plan process

At MARS Consultants, we take a structured and practical approach to developing your asbestos management plan, ensuring full statutory compliance and safe property operations across the North West.

1. Review existing information

We begin by reviewing available asbestos surveys, asbestos registers, and other relevant property documentation. If there is no suitable survey available, we can discuss whether an asbestos management survey is appropriate.

2. Understand the property

We evaluate the specific type of property, its day-to-day use, levels of occupancy, ongoing maintenance arrangements, and how the overall building is managed to ensure the plan fits your operational needs.

3. Review identified ACMs

Our specialists thoroughly assess all information regarding known or presumed asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), detailing their precise locations, condition, accessibility, and potential risk of disturbance.

4. Develop management arrangements and plan

We establish practical arrangements to control risks, deliver a comprehensive reference document for the dutyholder, and set clear procedures to review and update asbestos information following any works or changes.

Asbestos management plan vs asbestos management survey

Asbestos management survey: A survey designed to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building and assess their condition so they can be safely managed during normal occupation and maintenance.

In simple terms: the survey identifies and records the asbestos information.

Asbestos management plan: A documented plan that sets out how the asbestos identified within the property will be managed, monitored, and communicated to staff and contractors.

In simple terms: the management plan sets out how that information will be managed. Both work hand-in-hand as part of a compliant asbestos management system.

Asbestos management plans across the North West

MARS Consultants provides professional asbestos management support across the North West, including:

Leigh | Wigan | Warrington | Manchester | Bolton | Preston | Liverpool | St Helens | Salford | Stockport | Chorley | Lancashire | Greater Manchester | Merseyside | Cheshire

We work closely with landlords, property managers, commercial businesses, developers, and dutyholders who require practical, compliant asbestos management support.

If your property is located outside these primary areas, please contact our team to discuss your specific requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about asbestos management plans, legal compliance, registers, and survey requirements for commercial and non-domestic properties.

What is an asbestos management plan?

An asbestos management plan sets out how asbestos-containing materials within a property will be managed. It can include responsibilities, asbestos records, monitoring arrangements, communication procedures and controls for work that could disturb ACMs.

Is an asbestos management plan a legal requirement?

The legal requirement is to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises where the relevant duty applies. An asbestos management plan can form part of the arrangements used to manage asbestos effectively.

Is an asbestos management plan the same as an asbestos register?

No. An asbestos register records information about identified or presumed ACMs, while a management plan sets out how asbestos will be managed. The asbestos register can form an important part of the overall management arrangements.

Do I need an asbestos survey before creating a management plan?

You need sufficient information about asbestos within the property to manage it effectively. Where appropriate asbestos survey information is not available, an asbestos management survey may be required.

How often should an asbestos management plan be reviewed?

There is no single review period that is appropriate for every property. Management arrangements should be reviewed when circumstances change, new asbestos information becomes available, work is carried out or other factors affect the way asbestos is managed.

Can MARS Consultants create an asbestos register?

Yes. MARS Consultants can assist with asbestos registers and the organisation of asbestos information as part of wider asbestos management arrangements.

Do I need a new asbestos survey if I am planning refurbishment?

Possibly. The appropriate survey depends on the scope and extent of the proposed work. A management survey may not provide sufficient information for intrusive refurbishment work, in which case a refurbishment survey may be appropriate.

Can you help manage asbestos in commercial properties?

Yes. MARS Consultants provides asbestos surveying and management services for commercial, industrial and other non-domestic properties across the North West.

Need help managing asbestos?

If you are responsible for a property and need help creating or reviewing your asbestos management arrangements, contact MARS Consultants. Based in Leigh, we deliver practical asbestos management support across the North West to ensure your building remains safe, compliant, and fully aligned with statutory regulations.