Why Asbestos Remains an Active Risk in Automotive Workshops Today
Asbestos does not announce itself. It hides in ageing brake pads, worn clutch plates, and crumbling gaskets — and when disturbed, it releases microscopic fibres capable of causing fatal disease decades later.
Employee safety in the automotive industry addressing asbestos exposure is not a historical concern tidied away by legislation. It remains a daily, active risk for mechanics, technicians, and anyone working on older vehicles. If your workshop handles pre-2000 vehicles, imports, or salvage parts, what follows is essential reading.
The History of Asbestos in Automotive Components
From the early 1900s through to the 1980s, asbestos was the material of choice for high-friction, high-heat automotive applications. Its fire resistance, durability, and low cost made it appear ideal — and manufacturers used it extensively across a wide range of components.
The UK banned the import, supply, and use of all forms of asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, with the final ban on chrysotile (white asbestos) taking effect in 1999. However, vehicles manufactured before that date may still contain asbestos-based components.
Imported vehicles — particularly those sourced from countries with less stringent controls — can introduce asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) into UK workshops right now. Regulatory authorities in multiple countries have identified asbestos in imported vehicle components well into the 21st century, which is why vigilance in the automotive sector remains essential.
Which Automotive Components Historically Contained Asbestos?
The following components were commonly manufactured with asbestos — and may still be present in older vehicles on UK roads today:
- Brake pads and brake linings — asbestos content could reach 35–60%, providing heat resistance during heavy braking
- Clutch plates and facings — asbestos provided friction stability and durability under repeated stress
- Gaskets — used throughout engine and exhaust systems, asbestos gaskets could withstand extreme temperatures
- Transmission plates — asbestos helped prevent overheating in gearbox components
- Heat shields and insulation — fitted around exhaust systems and engine bays to manage heat
- Valve stem packing — used in older engine designs to create seals
Older vehicles rarely carry clear labelling identifying which components contain asbestos. Mechanics working on classic cars, fleet vehicles, or imports should treat any friction or heat-management component from a pre-2000 vehicle as potentially hazardous until confirmed otherwise.
How Asbestos Exposure Happens in Automotive Work
The danger does not come from asbestos sitting undisturbed inside a sealed component. The risk arises the moment those components are disturbed — drilled, cut, sanded, ground, or simply worn down through use.
When asbestos-containing brake pads wear, they generate dust. When a mechanic blows out a brake drum with compressed air, that dust becomes airborne. When a clutch plate is replaced without proper precautions, fibres are released into the workshop environment — invisible to the naked eye, capable of remaining suspended in the air for hours after disturbance.
The Highest-Risk Activities in Automotive Workshops
Certain tasks carry a significantly elevated risk of asbestos fibre release:
- Replacing or inspecting brake pads, shoes, and drums on older vehicles
- Removing clutch assemblies from pre-2000 vehicles
- Cutting, grinding, or drilling gaskets
- Using compressed air to clean brake assemblies
- Dry sweeping workshop floors where brake dust has settled
- Handling worn transmission components without respiratory protection
Secondary exposure is also a genuine concern. Contaminated overalls taken home, or fibres carried on hair and skin, can expose family members — particularly children — to asbestos without them ever setting foot in a workshop.
The Health Consequences of Asbestos Exposure for Automotive Workers
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Fibres lodge in lung tissue and the lining of the chest cavity, causing progressive, irreversible damage that may not become apparent for 20 to 50 years after initial exposure.
The diseases associated with asbestos exposure include:
- Mesothelioma — a cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, and typically carries a poor prognosis.
- Asbestosis — scarring of lung tissue that progressively reduces breathing capacity
- Lung cancer — asbestos exposure significantly increases lung cancer risk, particularly in those who also smoke
- Pleural disease — thickening or plaques on the lining of the lungs, which can restrict breathing
Auto mechanics who worked regularly on brakes and clutches in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s have faced elevated rates of mesothelioma diagnoses. The latency period of these diseases means that workers exposed decades ago are still receiving diagnoses today — and workers being exposed now may not develop symptoms until the 2040s or beyond.
Early symptoms — a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness — are easily attributed to other causes. By the time mesothelioma or asbestosis is diagnosed, the disease is typically advanced. Prevention is the only effective strategy.
Preventative Measures: What Automotive Workers Must Do
Protecting yourself from asbestos exposure in an automotive environment requires consistent habits, the right equipment, and a clear understanding of where the risks lie. Good intentions are not enough — the correct methods must be followed every single time.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is the last line of defence, not the first — but it is essential when working with potentially asbestos-containing components. The following should be worn before work begins, not once dust is already visible:
- Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) — at minimum, a half-face respirator with P3 filters. Disposable FFP3 masks are suitable for low-risk, short-duration tasks. Fit testing is required to ensure effectiveness.
- Disposable coveralls — Type 5/6 disposable suits prevent fibres from contaminating clothing. These must be removed carefully and disposed of as controlled waste — never taken home.
- Nitrile gloves — worn when handling components that may contain asbestos
- Safety goggles — protect eyes from dust and debris during repair work
Safe Working Methods
The way a task is carried out determines how much fibre is released into the air. These principles must be followed consistently:
- Never use compressed air to clean brake assemblies or clutch components — this disperses fibres throughout the workshop
- Use wet methods — dampen components before handling to suppress dust. Specialist brake cleaning equipment with enclosed vacuum systems is available for this purpose.
- Avoid dry sweeping — use damp mopping or a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter to clean workshop floors
- Isolate the work area — where possible, screen off the area where asbestos-containing components are being worked on
- Assume risk until confirmed otherwise — if you cannot confirm a component is asbestos-free, treat it as if it contains asbestos
Handling and Disposing of Asbestos-Containing Materials
Removed components that may contain asbestos must be handled and disposed of correctly. Incorrect disposal is both a health risk and a legal offence.
- Double-bag waste in clearly labelled, sealed polythene bags suitable for asbestos-containing waste
- Do not place ACM waste in general workshop bins
- Arrange disposal through a licensed waste carrier approved for asbestos waste
- Keep records of disposal — this may be required under environmental health regulations
Employer Responsibilities Under UK Law
The Control of Asbestos Regulations place clear legal duties on employers. For automotive businesses, this means actively managing the risk of asbestos exposure — not simply waiting for an incident to occur.
The Duty to Manage Asbestos
While the duty to manage asbestos is most commonly associated with buildings, automotive employers also have obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Control of Asbestos Regulations to protect workers from foreseeable asbestos risks.
This includes:
- Conducting and documenting risk assessments for tasks likely to disturb ACMs
- Providing appropriate training to all staff who may encounter asbestos-containing vehicle components
- Supplying suitable PPE and ensuring it is used correctly
- Monitoring air quality where there is a risk of fibre release
- Ensuring that any licensed asbestos removal work is carried out by a contractor holding the appropriate HSE licence
- Maintaining health surveillance records for workers who may have been exposed
The HSE takes asbestos compliance seriously. Failure to meet these obligations can result in enforcement notices, prosecution, and substantial fines — as well as civil liability if a worker develops an asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos Awareness Training
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations and HSE guidance set out in HSG264, workers who may encounter asbestos in the course of their work must receive asbestos awareness training. For automotive workers, this means understanding:
- Which vehicle components may contain asbestos
- How fibres are released and how exposure occurs
- The health risks associated with exposure
- How to use PPE correctly
- What to do if asbestos is suspected or identified
- Safe handling and disposal procedures
Training should be refreshed regularly and records kept. A one-off briefing is not sufficient to discharge this obligation.
What Workers Should Do If They Suspect Asbestos
If you encounter a component you suspect contains asbestos — or discover material in a workshop building that may be asbestos — stop work immediately. Do not disturb the material further.
Report your concern to your line manager or health and safety officer straight away. If you believe your employer is not taking appropriate action, you have the right to contact the HSE or your local authority environmental health team.
Asbestos-related diseases are irreversible. The precautionary approach protects everyone, and raising a concern that turns out to be unnecessary is always preferable to continuing work in a hazardous environment.
Getting a Professional Asbestos Survey for Your Automotive Premises
Beyond the risks posed by vehicle components, automotive workshops themselves — particularly older buildings — may contain asbestos in floor tiles, ceiling panels, insulation boards, and roof sheeting. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, non-domestic premises have a legal duty to manage any asbestos present in the building fabric.
If your workshop was built before 2000 and has not been surveyed, you may be operating in breach of your legal duty. A professional management survey will identify the location, condition, and risk level of any ACMs in the building, allowing you to put a proper asbestos management plan in place.
Where ACMs are identified and require removal, asbestos removal must be carried out by a licensed contractor in accordance with HSE requirements. Attempting to remove asbestos without the correct licence and controls is both dangerous and illegal.
Addressing Employee Safety in the Automotive Industry: Asbestos Exposure and Your Building
Employee safety in the automotive industry addressing asbestos exposure does not stop at the vehicle. The building your team works in every day may be harbouring its own hidden risks — particularly if the premises were constructed or refurbished before the turn of the millennium.
Common locations for ACMs in automotive workshop buildings include:
- Corrugated asbestos cement roofing and cladding
- Textured coatings on walls and ceilings
- Insulation boards around boilers and pipework
- Floor tiles and the adhesive beneath them
- Partition walls and ceiling tiles in office areas
Any of these materials, if disturbed during maintenance, renovation, or accidental damage, can release fibres into the air your team breathes every day. A professional survey removes the guesswork and gives you a clear, legally compliant management plan.
Supernova Asbestos Surveys: Protecting Automotive Businesses Nationwide
Supernova Asbestos Surveys operates nationwide, with specialist teams covering all regions of the UK. With over 50,000 surveys completed, we understand the specific risks facing automotive businesses — from the vehicles in your workshop bays to the building fabric above your team’s heads.
If your automotive business is based in the capital, our asbestos survey London service covers all London boroughs with rapid turnaround. For businesses in the North West, our asbestos survey Manchester team is ready to assist. And for workshops across the Midlands, our asbestos survey Birmingham service delivers the same professional standard of assessment.
All our surveys are conducted by qualified surveyors to UKAS-accredited standards. Our reports are clear, actionable, and fully compliant with HSE requirements — giving you everything you need to manage your legal duty with confidence.
To book a survey or discuss your requirements, call us on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do modern vehicles still contain asbestos?
Vehicles manufactured and sold in the UK after 1999 should not contain asbestos-based components, as the Control of Asbestos Regulations prohibited the use of chrysotile (white asbestos) from that point. However, imported vehicles — particularly those sourced from countries where asbestos use continued beyond that date — may still contain ACMs. Classic cars, older fleet vehicles, and salvage parts should always be treated with caution.
What PPE should mechanics wear when working on older brake systems?
At minimum, mechanics should wear a half-face respirator with P3 filters, or an FFP3 disposable mask for lower-risk tasks. Type 5/6 disposable coveralls, nitrile gloves, and safety goggles should also be worn. PPE must be put on before work begins — not once dust is already visible — and disposable items must be bagged and disposed of as controlled waste, never taken home.
Is my automotive workshop legally required to have an asbestos survey?
If your workshop premises were built or significantly refurbished before 2000, you are legally required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations to manage any asbestos present in the building fabric. This begins with a management survey to identify the location and condition of any ACMs. Operating without this survey — and without a management plan in place — puts you in breach of your legal duty and exposes your team to unnecessary risk.
What should I do if I find a component I think contains asbestos?
Stop work immediately and do not disturb the material further. Report your concern to your manager or health and safety officer. If the component needs to be identified, samples should only be taken by a trained professional — never attempt to test suspected ACMs yourself. If your employer fails to act on your concern, you have the right to contact the HSE directly.
Can I remove asbestos-containing materials from my workshop myself?
In most cases, no. The Control of Asbestos Regulations require that the majority of asbestos removal work is carried out by a contractor holding an HSE licence. Unlicensed removal is both a criminal offence and a serious health risk. Even where certain lower-risk work is technically exempt from the licensing requirement, it must still be notified to the relevant enforcing authority and carried out in accordance with strict controls. Always seek professional advice before proceeding.