Finland's asbestos legislation is one of the strictest in Europe. It sets clear obligations for commissioning an asbestos survey, asbestos removal work and protecting workers. In this article, we go through the most important laws and regulations.
Key regulations
Government Decree on the Safety of Asbestos Work (798/2015)
This is the most important regulation regulating asbestos work in Finland. It entered into force on 1.1.2016 and replaced the previous regulation. The key requirements are:
- Survey obligation: The developer or the person ordering the work must carry out an asbestos survey before demolition or repair work in sites built or repaired before 1994
- Requirement for removal work permit: Asbestos removal work may only be carried out by a company authorized for asbestos removal work
- Demolition plan: Before asbestos removal work, a written demolition plan must be drawn up
- Notification obligation: Asbestos removal work must be notified in advance to the occupational health and safety authority
Occupational Safety Act (738/2002)
The General Occupational Safety Act obliges the employer to take care of the safety and health of employees. In asbestos work, this means e.g. appropriate protection and exposure prevention.
Land Use and Construction Act
Anyone undertaking a construction project must ensure that valid safety regulations, including asbestos regulations, are followed in planning and construction.
Who is responsible for the survey?
Commissioning an asbestos survey is the responsibility of the developer or the client ordering the work:
- In a detached house: The owner of the house
- In a housing association: Housing company (common facilities) or shareholder (apartment renovations)
- In companies: Property owner or tenant according to agreement
- In public places: The client of the project
Asbestos removal requirements
- The work must be carried out by a company registered in the asbestos removal company register
- Employees must have asbestos removal training
- The work has to be done with the compartmentalization method or by another approved method
- Demolition waste must be treated and disposed of as hazardous waste
Penalties for negligence
Violation of asbestos regulations can result in:
- Immediate suspension of the construction site
- Administrative fines
- Criminal liability (occupational safety crime)
- Liability for damages to those exposed
Compliance with the law is simple: order an asbestos survey before the renovation, use an authorized removal company and follow the report's recommendations.