Asbestos – get an overview of the new rules

What do the new rules mean for your company?

If your employees may come into contact with asbestos during their work, it is essential that you are familiar with the legislation. Having a clear overview enables you to provide the right instruction and protection for employees working on tasks involving asbestos.

The legislation is divided into two main areas:

Asbestos work
Work where employees are in direct contact with asbestos, for example demolition of asbestos-containing materials, clean-up following fires, storm damage or collapse. This also includes activities at recycling stations where asbestos-containing material is handled, even if demolition is not necessarily involved.

Other work where there is a risk of exposure to asbestos dust
Work where there is a risk of exposure to asbestos dust, for example in buildings containing asbestos materials.

New clarifications and requirements

At Human House, we consider the following new points to be particularly relevant for workplaces and organisations that either work with or handle asbestos:

Clarifications

• Asbestos-containing materials are materials that contain asbestos fibres, or where asbestos fibres have been deliberately added.
• Demolition work includes cleaning of the work area, proper handling of asbestos waste and preparation for removal.
• Personal protective equipment (including respiratory protective equipment) must be used both in enclosed and open areas if there is a risk of asbestos dust.
• Asbestos notifications must be submitted electronically to Arbejdstilsynet – the Danish Working Environment Authority via virk.dk.

Requirements

• Everyone performing asbestos work must have completed asbestos training and possess certification.
• Employees must undergo decontamination before breaks and before leaving the work site.
• A decontamination unit is only required for demolition work that requires authorisation and extensive clean-up following fires or storm damage.
• Changing rooms for personal protective equipment and work clothing are only for those performing the asbestos work.
• The term ‘asbestos work with low dust generation’ is no longer used.
• Employers must share information about the presence of asbestos with others who request it.
• The notification to Arbejdstilsynet (the Danish Working Environment Authority) must include details of employees’ asbestos training and the date of the latest health examination. Copies of training certificates must be included in the company’s quality management system.
• Airborne asbestos dust must be continually wetted to prevent dispersal.
• Dust-proof enclosures with negative pressure must be established for all asbestos work where significant asbestos dust is generated.
• If necessary following final cleaning, dust samples must be collected. As a new initiative, these may also be air samples.
• Employees at risk of asbestos exposure must receive thorough instruction.
• From 21 December 2029, asbestos analyses of air samples must be carried out using the EM method (electron microscopy) rather than the PCM method (phase contrast microscopy).
• Exposed employees must be registered in the asbestos protocol.
• Arbejdstilsynet (the Danish Working Environment Authority) will no longer grant exemptions for high-pressure washing of asbestos roofs with special roof cleaning boxes.

From 1 June 2026, changes to the occupational safety and health legislation are expected so that analysis results of asbestos samples taken by third parties must be sent directly to employees or the safety and health organisation.

The new rules are included in Human House’s Asbesthåndbogen (asbestos management handbook), where you will find a comprehensive overview of the requirements. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to receive the handbook (currently available in Danish only).