Asbestos Surveys

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 enforce the legal duty of care onto the person or organisation responsible for the maintenance of the property to ensure that anyone using or working in the premises remains protected from the risk to health. This should be particularly considered if the building is about to undergo any intrusive works which could disturb potential asbestos. The best way to prevent these works exposing people to risk to health is to commission an asbestos risk assessment.

An asbestos survey is important to ensure that:

• No one is harmed by the presence of asbestos containing materials in the property, and;

• The asbestos containing material is easily identified, and;

• No one disturbs it accidentally

Firstly, this will involve logging the location of all likely asbestos containing material and taking samples that will be sent away to an independent UKAS accredited laboratory for testing. This is done to determine the potential of the material to release asbestos fibres into the air. The findings will then be compiled into a detailed report which will include:

• The asbestos type, location, extent and condition

• Details on how to prepare an asbestos management plan for your property/building

• The asbestos report will also include notes on priorities for any remedial work

The survey will also identify any areas where a sample was not able to be taken for analysis. In this case, these areas should be considered to harbour asbestos containing material.

Upon receipt of the asbestos survey report, the person or organisation responsible for the maintenance of the property must produce an asbestos risk register. The asbestos risk register is a key component of the required plan on how you will manage any asbestos found, or presumed to be, in your buildings. This management plan must contain current information about the presence and condition of any asbestos in the building. The asbestos risk register will therefore need to be updated on a regular basis (at least once a year). To do this you should make:

▪ regular inspections to check the current condition of asbestos materials;

▪ deletions to the register when any asbestos is removed;

▪ additions to the register when new areas are surveyed and asbestos is located, and;

▪ changes to the register (at any time asbestos-containing materials are found to have deteriorated)

The risk register can be kept as a paper or electronic record and it is very important that this is kept up to date and easily accessible. Paper copies may be easier to pass on to visiting maintenance workers, who will need them to know the location and condition of any asbestos before they start work. Electronic copies are easier to update and are probably better suited for people responsible for large numbers of properties or bigger premises.

Asbestos regulations are enforced by HSE, Local Authorities (LAs) and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). LAs are the principle enforcing authority in retailing, wholesale distribution, warehousing, hotel and catering premises, offices, and the consumer/leisure industries). ORR is responsible for railway stations and depots and other rail premises.

If there is extensive building or construction activity in premises normally enforced by LAs or ORR, HSE may become the enforcing authority for the duration of the construction work.

There are typically four types of asbestos surveys that can be carried out in the UK, all with different purposes and aims.

Asbestos Management Survey - an asbestos management survey is conducted to identify the presence and quantity of any materials that contain asbestos in a property. This survey serves as the groundwork for creating the Asbestos Register and is essential for ongoing management of any identified asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). The survey will identify areas needing immediate action and contribute to the development of an asbestos management plan.

Refurbishment & Demolition Survey - When a building or a portion of it is scheduled for refurbishment or demolition, a refurbishment and demolition survey becomes a mandatory obligation within the UK. The objective of this asbestos survey for demolition is to identify and describe all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within the designated area intended for refurbishment or demolition. This process facilitates the creation of a thorough report that certifies the site as "safe for reoccupation," ensuring the protection of workers.

Pre-purchase Asbestos Survey - Before buying a property, it is advisable to conduct pre-purchase surveys to obtain a comprehensive understanding of your prospective new home. In recent times, numerous "homebuyer's surveys" have started incorporating assessments of potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in their reports. A regular domestic asbestos survey does not involve sampling of potential asbestos materials. Therefore, a pre-purchase asbestos survey becomes a crucial safety measure to be taken prior to purchasing any residential property.

Re-inspection Survey - In the event that asbestos is discovered, conducting an annual re-inspection of identified asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) is crucial to maintain compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations. Our team will thoroughly inspect all known ACMs, documenting their current condition and monitoring any signs of deterioration or alterations. Subsequently, a detailed report will be provided to the client, highlighting any changes in condition or associated risks, along with recommended actions to be taken in the future. This process ensures ongoing adherence to regulations and effective management of asbestos.