Surveys
What Is The Purpose Of The Survey?
- To assist in the preparation of an asbestos register.
- To assist in determining which asbestos containing materials require action to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
- To identify asbestos containing materials that need to be removed prior to refurbishment works or demolition.
Duty To Identify
All health & safety regulations require an employer to identify if asbestos poses a risk to any employees – either within your premises or whilst undertaking any work e.g. construction contractors.
You must not undertake any work in demolition, maintenance, or any other work which exposes or is liable to expose employees to asbestos in respect of any premises unless either:
- An assessment is carried out.
- If doubt assumes asbestos is present and observes the provisions of the regulations.
All asbestos should be located as far as reasonably practicable within the survey type.
Survey Types
There are two types of asbestos survey:
Management Survey
A management survey is the standard survey. It’s purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy. This includes foreseeable maintenance, installation and to assess their condition.
Management surveys will often involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance. The extent of intrusion will vary between premises and depend on what is reasonably practicable for individual properties, i.e. it will depend on factors such as the type of building, the nature of construction, accessibility etc.
A management survey should include an assessment of the condition of the various ACMs and their ability to release fibres into the air if they are disturbed. This ‘material assessment’ will give a good initial guide to the priority for managing ACMs as it will identify the materials which will most readily release airborne fibres if they are disturbed.
Areas not accessed and presumed to contain asbestos must be clearly stated in the survey report.
Pre-refurbishment / Demolition
A management survey is the standard survey. It’s purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy. This includes foreseeable maintenance, installation and to assess their condition.
Management surveys will often involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance. The extent of intrusion will vary between premises and depend on what is reasonably practicable for individual properties, i.e. it will depend on factors such as the type of building, the nature of construction, accessibility etc.
A management survey should include an assessment of the condition of the various ACMs and their ability to release fibres into the air if they are disturbed. This ‘material assessment’ will give a good initial guide to the priority for managing ACMs as it will identify the materials which will most readily release airborne fibres if they are disturbed.
Areas not accessed and presumed to contain asbestos must be clearly stated in the survey report.
Survey Report
Upon the completion of the survey, the surveyor will prepare a report that should contain:
- Executive summary.
- Introduction, including scope of survey.
- General site and survey information.
- Survey results (including material assessment results).
- Site plan and photos.
- Conclusions and actions.
- Bulk analysis results.
This is an example certificate confirming the results of any samples taken and their location within a premises.