The Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 come into force today.

Ministers said the regulations, laid in Parliament on 31 October, could save up 5,000 lives.

Minister with responsibility for health and safety Nick Brown said: "If current levels of exposure to asbestos are allowed to continue over the next 50 years, nearly 5,000 people will die from asbestos related diseases.

"These regulations should go a long way towards preventing human suffering and misery."

However, two of the regulations will not become effective until 2004.

Regulation 4 cover the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises, while Regulation 20 lists "standards for analysis" relating to the use of accredited laboratories for the analysis of bulk samples.

The HSE will publish an Approved Code of Practice and guidance on the new duty to manage asbestos later this month.

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