Asbestos Survey & Management

Asbestos Survey

Health and safety issues surrounding asbestos have a high profile in occupational health and safety. Changes to legislation have once more turned the spotlight on the UK’s single biggest occupational killer. We offer full asbestos survey and management services to our clients.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 has been revised to cover all work which is likely to disturb asbestos containing materials. It has placed greater emphasis upon persons responsible for workplace buildings to manage any asbestos that may be present.

Our P402 and P405 qualified surveyors have a minimum of 8 years experience in the full range of services needed for asbestos surveying in accordance with HSG264 including the supervision of removal and management projects.

The duty to manage asbestos is directed at those who manage non-domestic premises: the people with responsibility for protecting others who work in such premises, or use them in other ways, from the risks to ill health that exposure to asbestos causes.

Current legislation which requires the duty holder to:

take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in
presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos- containing materials – or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos
assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified
prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed
take the necessary steps to put the plan into action
periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date
provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them

Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are either known to contain asbestos, or presumed to contain asbestos.

The purpose of and asbestos survey is to make a ‘materials assessment‘, ie:

To find ACM and record it, where it is and how much there is
Record how accessible it is, its condition, and any surface treatment
Record the asbestos type, by sampling or by presuming

Types of Asbestos Survey

Management survey

The purpose of the Management Survey is to manage ACMs during the normal occupation and use of premises. The duty-holder can undertake a Management Survey where the premises are simple and straightforward. Otherwise, a surveyor is needed:

A Management Survey aims to ensure that:

nobody is harmed by the continuing presence of ACM in the premises or equipment
that the ACM remain in good condition
that nobody disturbs it accidentally

The asbestos survey must locate ACM that could be damaged or disturbed by normal activities, by foreseeable maintenance, or by installing new equipment. It involves minor intrusion and minor asbestos disturbance to make a Materials Assessment. This shows the ability of ACM, if disturbed, to release fibres into the air. It guides the client, eg in prioritising any remedial work.

Refurbishment / demolition survey

The Refurbishment / demolition Survey is required where the premises, or part of it, need upgrading, refurbishment or demolition. The Survey does not need a record of the ACM condition. Normally, a surveyor is needed for Refurbishment / demolition Surveys.

A Refurbishment / demolition Survey aims to ensure that:

nobody will be harmed by work on ACM in the premises or equipment
such work will be done by the right contractor in the right way

The asbestos survey must locate and identify all ACM before any structural work begins at a stated location or on stated equipment at the premises. It involves destructive inspection and asbestos disturbance. The area surveyed must be vacated, and certified ‘fit for reoccupation’ after the survey.

Our surveyors have the experience to guide you in the most effective and economic manner.

If you need a suspected asbestos containing material testing, call or email, we will be happy to help.