HAMPSHIRE companies are being warned they have just a matter of days to ensure their employees are safe from any asbestos in their premises.

New regulations come into force on Friday, May 21, which demand that bosses take all reasonable steps to check on the condition of asbestos in their building.

The laws are an attempt to stem the rising tide of deaths from asbestos-related disease.

About 3,500 people die each year because of the fire retardant and the government predicts the numbers will increase, with some experts forecasting the total will hit 10,000 by 2020.

In Southampton - one of the top ten blackspots in the country because of the docks - asbestos claims more lives than road accidents.

Earlier this year Hampshire shipbuilder VT set aside £15m to cover asbestosis and other work-related claims following the collapse of its insurer. Since the loss of cover for the period to 1990, VT has settled about 120 mainly asbestos-related claims for an average cost of £17,000.

Fareham College was fined £23,000 with £18,000 costs in 2002 under present legislation, which is less stringent, after admitting exposing staff to potentially dangerous levels of asbestos.

Under the new laws the "duty to manage" asbestos in a building falls on the "duty holder", defined as either the occupier of the building, the landlord, the sublessor, the managing agent or the tenant.

If in good condition asbestos is perfectly safe but in certain conditions types of asbestos can cause any one of three lethal conditions: asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Martin Pettingell, a partner with solicitors Clarke Willmott, which have a Southampton office, said: "The original regulations came into force in 2002 except for this clause. The reason for that was to give companies a chance to put their house in order.

"If the Health and Safety Executive come on the premises now and nothing has been done they risk prosecution and a fine."

Opus has produced a free booklet titled The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations, which is available from mike.ryan@opuscompany.co.uk.