Asbestos Alerts Across Europe: Why Irish Building Owners Should Take Notice

1 Dec 2025

The EU’s product-risk notifications included something unusual this year: several modern consumer products, including motorcycle accessories and bicycle brake components, were pulled from the market after asbestos was detected. 

The thing is, asbestos wasn’t found in old industrial leftovers or reclaimed materials here. They were current-day imports that slipped through supply chains and triggered immediate Safety Gate alerts. For businesses and property owners in Ireland, it’s a reminder that asbestos remains an active concern. 

When disturbed, asbestos can release fibres that cause long-term health problems, which is why Ireland’s asbestos regulations only allow licensed specialists to deal with this hazardous material. 

Keeping Control of Asbestos 

In most cases, the real risk the material presents still comes from older building materials. That’s why asbestos surveys need to be carried out before any work can take place on buildings put up prior to asbestos’s total construction ban in Ireland.

Where removal is required, only licensed asbestos companies are allowed to handle the job, as they’re typically the only people with the controls needed to protect staff and contractors. A typical removal project will include:

• Isolating the work area and preventing fibre spread

• Using approved asbestos abatement methods for safe handling

• Packaging and transporting waste for authorised asbestos disposal

• Completing air testing before the area reopens

These measures aren’t just best practice. They are essential for anyone responsible for workplace safety and for contractors' asbestos teams working on site.

Supporting Irish Businesses Since 2001

At OHSS, we’ve been helping organisations across Ireland manage asbestos safely for more than two decades. So, whether you’re planning refurbishment, dealing with legacy materials or simply unsure how to remove asbestos safely, our consultants can guide you through every stage of the process.

If you think asbestos may be present in your building or want specialist advice before work begins, call OHSS on 01 690 5907 and we’ll help you take the safest next step.

‹ BACK TO BLOG