Asbestos surveys: what you need to know as a business owner
Asbestos surveys are an essential component in ensuring non-domestic premises are safe for contractors and building occupants.
Under HSE’s Construction Design and Management Regulations 2016 and Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, business owners and duty holders are required to have an asbestos survey of non-domestic premises.
Types of surveys
1. Management survey
The management survey’s purpose is to manage ACM during the normal occupation and use of premises. The duty-holder can complete a management survey where the premises are straightforward. Otherwise, a surveyor is needed.
A Management Survey aims to ensure that:
- Nobody is harmed by the continuing presence of ACM on the premises or equipment
- The ACM remain in good condition
- Nobody disturbs it accidentally
The 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. The survey also guides the client as to whether they would need to prioritise any remedial work.
2. Refurbishment/demolition survey
The refurbishment/demolition survey is required where the premises, or part of it, needs upgrading, refurbishment or demolition. The survey does not need a record of the ACM condition. Normally, a surveyor is needed for a refurbishment/demolition survey.
A refurbishment/demolition survey aims to ensure that:
- Nobody will be harmed by work on ACM on the premises or equipment
- Such work will be done by the right contractor in the right way
The 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.
What happens during the process?
At the beginning of the process, a survey team will be appointed to undertake a walk through the premises to collate an on-site risk assessment.
The survey team will then proceed carefully through the proposed work site in order to locate and identify any potential ACMs.
Once samples have been collected, the team will send them off to be examined in a lab so they can determine exactly how much asbestos is present on site.
After all samples have been tested, the duty holder will receive a report identifying the outcomes of the samples and assisting them in determining their next course of action.
What if a survey discovers the presence of asbestos on-site?
If asbestos is found on the premises, our team will be able to facilitate the safe encapsulation or removal of asbestos-containing materials.
Our team has worked in the asbestos removal industry for over 40 years, eliminating asbestos risks and keeping people and property safe.
Each of our team members is CHAS Accredited, ARCA-approval and fully licensed by HSE to remove asbestos, meaning that we can provide a service that ensures your construction site is fully compliant before you begin the refurbishment process.
Contact us today for more guidance on pre-refurbishment asbestos surveys or professional asbestos removal services.