Outlines what the new legislation demands are for those with a responsibility to manage the risk of asbestos related exposure. Highlights that a large proportion of asbestos related deaths occur in the building industry. Reports that the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 came into force on 21 November 2002 and, as well as imposing obligations on employers as to the management of asbestos risk in relation to their employees, the regulations impose a new 'duty to manage' asbestos risk in commercial premises on all those who have responsibility for the repair or maintenence of, or to any extent control, those premises or any means of access to them. The duty to manage comes into force on 21 May 2004, and this report adds to the campaign to create awareness of these coming regulations, by defining the new role and explaining its implications. Gives details of a new HSE approved code of practice to reinforce the regulations and provide guidance to designated duty holders. More information is available from www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos.