Irish asbestos law can look like an alphabet soup of regulations and statutory instruments, but the core duties behind it are clear and consistent. Cutting through the jargon, the rules exist to do one thing: stop workers being exposed to asbestos fibres.
This guide explains the asbestos regulations in Ireland in plain English - what they are, what they require, and how recent EU changes affect you. Understanding the rules is the first step to meeting them with confidence rather than worry.
Key takeaways
- CAR 2006 (SI 386/2006) is the core set of Irish asbestos regulations.
- The 2010 amendment (SI 589/2010) refined the requirements.
- EU Directive 2023/2668 is tightening the occupational exposure limit across the EU.
- The regulations require identifying ACMs, assessing and controlling exposure, and providing training.
- If your work could disturb asbestos, you must be trained and protected.
CAR 2006 - the core regulations
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (SI 386/2006), often shortened to CAR 2006, set out the main duties around asbestos in Ireland. They require employers and duty holders to identify ACMs, assess and control the risk of exposure, and provide adequate information, instruction and training to anyone who could be affected. They are the backbone of asbestos compliance here.
The 2010 amendment
SI 589/2010 amended the 2006 regulations, refining requirements around exposure, notification and certain procedures. Together, the 2006 regulations and the 2010 amendment form the working framework that employers and workers operate under day to day. When people refer to CAR 2006, they generally mean this combined, amended framework.
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EU Directive 2023/2668
Asbestos law does not stand still. The European Union has tightened the occupational asbestos exposure limit through Directive 2023/2668, which member states including Ireland are implementing. The direction of travel is clear: lower permitted exposure, stronger controls, and continued emphasis on training. This is exactly the kind of change that a regular awareness refresher is designed to keep workers current with.
What it means for you
If your work could disturb asbestos, the regulations mean you must be trained and protected, and your employer must assess and control the risk before you start. They are not abstract - they translate directly into the register you check, the assessment you work to, and the training you hold. The duties on each side are set out in employer responsibilities and employee responsibilities.
How the rules connect
These asbestos-specific regulations sit underneath the broader Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which sets the general duty of care. Seeing how the layers fit together makes individual obligations easier to understand - the wider picture is in asbestos legislation in Ireland.
What this course does and does not cover
This online course builds awareness and understanding. It helps you recognise asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), understand the health risks, and follow the correct STOP - CHECK - REPORT response if you suspect asbestos during your work.
It does not authorise you to remove, survey, test, sample or deliberately disturb asbestos. Licensed asbestos removal, asbestos surveying and air testing each require separate, specialist qualifications. Employers may still need to provide task-specific training, supervision and a written risk assessment before any work near ACMs begins.
Frequently asked questions
What is CAR 2006?
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (SI 386/2006), the core Irish asbestos regulations.
Is asbestos banned in Ireland?
Yes - all use was banned by 1999, but the regulations govern managing the asbestos still present in buildings.
What is EU Directive 2023/2668?
An EU directive lowering the occupational asbestos exposure limit, being implemented across member states including Ireland.
Do the regulations require training?
Yes - employers must provide adequate information, instruction and training to those who could be exposed.
Do the rules apply to small employers?
Yes - they apply to any employer whose workers could be exposed to asbestos, regardless of size.
Related Asbestos Awareness guides
- Asbestos Legislation in Ireland Explained
- HSA Asbestos Guidance Explained
- Asbestos Employer Responsibilities in Ireland
- Is Asbestos Awareness Training Required in Ireland?
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