Asbestos Related Legislation

The Asbestos Regulations

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2006-2025 and 2025 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulation 2006-2025  apply to all work activities which expose persons to risks arising from the inhalation of dust from asbestos or asbestos containing materials. The regulations and Code of Practice apply to all workplaces (including domestic construction work) where there is a risk of asbestos exposure during the course of work activities.

• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006)
• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) (Amendment) Regulation 2010 (S.I. No. 589/2010)
• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 S.I. No. 632/2025
• 2025 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006-2025 - Health and Safety Authority

The regulations and Code of Practice apply to all workplaces.

Administrative Consolidation of the Regulations

An administrative consolidation of the regulations from 2006 to 2025 has been drawn up to consolidate the principal regulations of 2006 with the 2 amendments. This consolidated version of the regulations has been prepared by the Health and Safety Authority for ease of reference and is not a legal document.

• Consolidated version of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 to 2025

The legislation must be read in conjunction with the associated Code of Practice.

The Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Regulations

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens) Regulations 2024, apply to asbestos where such application is more favourable to health and safety at work.

The Construction Regulations

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013), are also of relevance with respect to the renovation, repair and demolition of older buildings where asbestos or ACM's may have been used. Asbestos is a “particular risk” so Project Supervisors must be appointed.

Other Legislation

Note the above is not an exhaustive list of legislation that is applicable to work with asbestos and other relevant legislation, may also be applicable to your work activities, for example, Confined Space, Work at Heights etc..