HUNDREDS of manufacturing firms across the Yorkshire and Humber area are being urged to carry out an independent asbestos survey before new legislation comes into force in May this year.

The call for action comes from Yorkshire law firm Pinsents, which points out that regulations which become law on May 21, will impose new stricter duties on businesses to monitor and control the presence of asbestos on their premises.

The legislation will require every employers to carry out a thorough assessment of their workplace. If they discover asbestos, they must keep detailed records of its location, assess the risk it poses to employees, monitor its condition and implement a plan of action on controlling or removing the material. Failure to comply with the regulations is a criminal offence and employers risk a maximum £5,000 fine in the Magistrates Court or an unlimited fine in the Crown Court.

The Health and Safety Executive estimate that at least 3,500 people in Great Britain die each year from mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer as a result of past exposure to asbestos.

Carl Garvie, head of manufacturing at Pinsents, said:

"Businesses have had 18 months to prepare for the new laws, but we believe there are still a worrying number who have failed to carry out the necessary checks."

Updated: 09:45 Monday, March 22, 2004