Asbestos - Are You Aware?

Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibres that may become airborne when distributed. These fibres get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems. Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos-related diseases, mainly cancers of the lungs and chest lining. Asbestos is a major risk to health if fibres are released into the air and inhaled. Past exposure to asbestos currently kills 6000 people a year in Great Britain and this number is expected to go on rising for the next ten years. There is no cure for asbestos related diseases.

Asbestos containing materials can probably be found in any building constructed before the year 2000, such as schools, shops, factories, offices, farms, hospitals, and domestic premises. If you own, manage, occupy or have responsibility for a premises, you have a legal obligation to have your premises asbestos surveyed in compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. The regulations came into force in November 2006; it is your duty to manage asbestos within your premises.

The Purpose Of An Asbestos Survey

  • To help manage asbestos in your premises.
  • To provide accurate information on the location, amount and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACM's).
  • To assess the level of damage or deterioration in the ACMs and whether remedial action is required.
  • To use the survey information to prepare a record of the location of any asbestos, commonly called an asbestos register,* and an asbestos plan of the building(s).
  • To help identify all the ACMs to be removed before refurbishment work or demolition.

*Note: the information in the register should be used to inform the risk assessment
(eg consider who could disturb asbestos on your premises), and to establish the management plan to prevent such a disturbance.

What Are The Different Types Of Survey?

The type of survey will vary during the lifespan of the premises and several may be needed over time. A management survey will be required during the normal occupation and use of the building to ensure continued management of the ACMs.
A refurbishment or demolition survey will be necessary when the building (or part of it) is to be upgraded, refurbished or demolished.
It is probable that at larger premises a mixture of survey types will be appropriate, eg a boiler house due for demolition will require a refurbishment or demolition survey, while offices at the same site would have a management survey. In later years refurbishment surveys may be required in rooms or floors which are being upgraded. In sectors where there are large numbers of properties (eg domestic houses) or internal units (eg hotels), only particular rooms may be specified for upgrading, eg kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Refurbishment surveys would only be necessary in these locations.

How We Can Help

RFS Consultancy offer a full professional asbestos survey service.  We will survey your premises, take samples of suspect materials and have them analysed in a UKAS accredited laboratory.  A report will then be made of all the findings, allowing you to compile a plan for managing any asbestos that may be present within your building. This report will contain photos, a plan of your premises with details of where samples were taken from and where asbestos was found; making it easy for you to pass on the information to others (such as maintenance contractors).
Contact us for a quote or to discuss which survey you require