The HSE provides this helpful info:
Workers involved in refurbishment, maintenance and other similar trades, could be at risk of exposure to asbestos during their work. This includes:

• Heating and ventilation engineers
• Demolition workers
• Carpenters and joiners
• Plumbers
• Roofing contractors
• Painters and decorators
• Plasterers
• Construction workers
• Fire and burglar alarm installers
• Shop fitters
• Gas fitters
• Computer and data installers
• General maintenance staff eg caretakers
• Telecommunications engineers
• Architects, building surveyors, and other such professionals
• Cable layers
• Electricians

This list does not include all occupations at risk from potential exposure to asbestos.

Don’t assume there will always be warning signs. Asbestos isn’t always obvious.
There could be undiscovered asbestos in buildings you work on.

​Would you spot an asbestos gasket on an old engine, asbestos cement pipes or an asbestos­ containing fuse­-board? If you’re not sure, the premises owner needs to get it checked out!
 
Only carry out work if you are properly trained and have the right equipment.
Remember, Asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer and lung diseases. Check it out before you start work!

Two companies have been fined after asbestos was disturbed during refurbishment work.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how two employees of 24-Hour Maintenance Services Limited disturbed asbestos insulating board (AIB) whilst they were doing refurbishment work at a former commercial premises undergoing conversion into flats, in Romford, London.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred between mid-July 2014 and 11 August 2014 found that the client had not passed on the details of the presence of asbestos to the contractor, despite prior knowledge.
No refurbishment and demolition survey was conducted to determine the presence of asbestos on the site. The two workers stripped out the AIB without any effective precautions and therefore received significant exposure to asbestos fibres.
Asbestos can be found in any building built before the year 2000. A refurbishment / demolition asbestos survey is required where the premises, or part of it, need upgrading, refurbishment or demolition. 
Firestone Estates Limited, of Tolpits Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 10(1)(b) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and were fined £10,000 and were ordered to pay £1020.64 in costs with a £1,000 victim surcharge.
24-Hour Maintenance Services Limited, of Linton Avenue, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and were fined £5,000 with £974.44 in costs and a victim surcharge of £500.
For further information on http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/
 Notes to Editors:

1.  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at:www.legislation.gov.uk/   
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk