A SOUTH Lakeland man is using his expertise to help businesses avoid falling foul of tough new laws concerning the control of asbestos in buildings.

Virtually every owner and occupier of commercial property now has a duty to manage' the material under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations.

Asbestos management consultant Tony Gray of Kendal said firms were obliged to carry out a survey of their premises and keep an official record, known as a register, of locations where asbestos may be present.

If firms want to make structural changes to their buildings, they must supply tradesmen with copies of the register so that they can avoid affected areas.

Mr Gray told Business Gazette that utility companies such as BT now refused to carry out installation work in premises unless clients supplied a register. Increasing numbers of insurance companies were also demanding that firms kept a register.

The Health and Safety Executive has described asbestos as the biggest occupational health problem ever encountered in the UK. More than 3,000 people are believed to die from asbestos-related diseases every year.

The HSE is concerned that unless further action is taken to reduce current levels of exposure to asbestos, many more people will die unnecessarily.

Use of some types of asbestos in construction work was not banned until 1985, while white asbestos was still legally used until being outlawed in 1999. Asbestos is said to be most commonly found in premises built or refurbished between the 1950s and the 1980s.

Areas of greatest risk in buildings include pipe lagging and perforated ceiling tiles.

The HSE points out that firms have a duty to manage asbestos, but this does not extend to removing it. Officials say undisturbed asbestos in a good condition can be safely managed and contained, and need not be removed.

Mr Gray formed his business, AMG Specialist Services, last August, after gaining a qualification in this specialist field of surveying. He also has experience of building and technical work, having been a technical officer at Kendal Leisure Centre for 18 years.

Mr Gray previously served as a marine engineer, first class, in the Royal Navy for eight years.

He launched his business with the help of a £7,500 loan from the Royal British Legion's small business loan scheme, which provides finance to help unemployed ex-service people to become their own bosses.

Mr Gray used the cash to help buy the local franchise for The Asbestos Group and pay for business start-up costs.

He said his services were in growing demand from businesses across south Cumbria and north Lancashire that are getting to grips with the new regulations.

l The Royal British Legion scheme offers loans of up to £7,500 as well as business planning advice to would-be entrepreneurs. Loans are repaid in monthly instalments over a three-year period. The scheme is said to boast a higher than average success rate, with around nine out of ten borrowers' businesses succeeding in the first three years.

A Royal British Legion spokesman said thanks to public and corporate donations, the Legion was able to help many ex-servicemen and women to return to civvie street' through the loan scheme.

To apply for a small business loan, contact Dudley Rose or Donna Tyler, Legion Business Advice Office, The Cottage, Ordnance Road, Tidworth, Wiltshire SP9 7QD, tel 01980-847753 or email: business@britishlegion.

org.uk .