Two thirds of UK companies are unprepared for the incoming government regulations on asbestos in the workplace, according to a survey from Zurich Risk Services.

The deadline for compliance with the duty to investigate buildings for asbestos and manage any associated risk is 21 May 2004. The new rules are part of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.

Under the new regulations, companies must find out whether their building contains asbestos, and what condition the asbestos is in. They then have to assess the risk, the likelihood of asbestos fibres being released into the atmosphere, and make plans to manage that risk. The regulations do not concern the removal of asbestos.

The survey found that 54% of businesses were aware of the regulations, but only 27% of companies had plans in place to deal with asbestos.

This shows an increase in awareness of 14% from last year, but still leaves many firms unprepared for the regulations.

The survey found that larger companies tended to be more aware of the regulations, and were more likely to have plans in place.

Two thirds of the companies consulted said the threat to health from asbestos was a major concern.

The survey also said employee compensation related to asbestos and business interruption caused by asbestos were concerns for nearly half of the companies consulted.

Bill Macdonald from the Health and Safety Executive said: "Getting the asbestos message across to those responsible for the 500,000 commercial, industrial and public buildings thought to contain asbestos will be a considerable challenge for us all."