This timeline highlights how asbestos has been used over the last century in the UK. The construction industry widely used asbestos containing materials (ACMs) for many decades until its overall ban in 1999. Buildings constructed from the year 2000 should not contain asbestos.

1. To talk about anything to do with asbestos
removal or surveying, visit our website:
www.merryhillenvirotec.com
RELATIVEDANGEROFBUILDINGSCONTAININGASBESTOSMATERIALS>1999ASBESTOSBANNED
1906
First documented Asbestos death
1924
The death of Nellie Kershaw,
English textile worker, the first
published case of Asbestosis
1930
1931
British Occupational Hygiene
Society proposed safety limits
on exposure to asbestos dust
1969
Asbestos Regulations in the UK
passed
1970
Voluntary ban on UK imports of
raw Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
Asbestos workers morbidity
and mortality survey established
1972
First successful personal injury
claim
1983
Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations
introduced
1988
Asbestos (Prohibitions)
Amendment Regulations
1992
1985Asbestos (Prohibitions)
Regulations introduced
Control of Asbestos at Work
(Amendment) Regulations
Asbestos (Prohibitions)
Regulations replaced the
1985 Regulations
1998
Asbestos (Licensing)
Amendment regulations
Control of Asbestos at Work
(Amendment) Regulations
Dangerous Substance Directive
(EC) Amended
Asbestos (Licensing)
amendment regulations
Final Comprehensive ban on
asbestos (Chrysotile
‘white’ asbestos)
2002
1965
Newhouse & Thompson Publish
‘Mesothelioma of Pleura and
Peritoneum following the
exposure to Asbestos in the
London Area’ establishing the
links between cancers and
asbestos deaths away from
the manufacturing process
1994
1996Robin Howie et al. Releases a
report showing RPE supplied
for protection against
asbestos was vastly inferior to
manufacturers claims when
used in the ‘real world’
1980
Voluntary ban on UK imports
of raw Amosite (brown asbestos)
Merryhill Incorporated
1987
Control of Asbestos at Work
Regulations introduced
The Merewether & Price Report
is published highlighting the
first realisation of the burden
of ill health associated with
occupational exposure to
asbestos dust, and the need
for environmental control
1968
1967UK imports of asbestos peaked
Mesothelioma Register and
Asbestos Registers established
2010
Merchant Shipping & Fishing
Vessels - Health and Safety
at Work Asbestos Regulations
2006
Baker v Corus case
Control of Asbestos Regulations
2006
Introduction of the
Compensation Act
2011Supreme Court – Diane Willmore
and Enid Costello
The Asbestos Industry
Regulations are launched
Fairchild v Glenhaven Funeral
Services Case
Control of Asbestos at Work
Regulations introduces
Duty to Manage in recognition
of the failure of employers to
safely manage asbestos
(subsequently became
regulation 4 of the 2006
Control of Asbestos Regulations
2012
Control of Asbestos Reulations
2012
2013
RR988 - Report from the HSE on
The Ventilation of enclosures
for removal of asbestos
containing materials
Statistical Supplement to the
Annual Report of the HSC
1999