UKAS-ACCREDITED ASBESTOS SURVEYORS

Asbestos Surveys: What you need to know

What is the current law on asbestos surveys?

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012), it’s the responsibility of the ‘duty holder’ of any given commercial premises or multi-occupancy domestic premises to inspect and manage any possible Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). If you don’t know whether any materials are ACMs, you are legally required to assume that they are until proven otherwise or unless there is substantial evidence that they aren’t.

In order to identify and manage ACMs, it is necessary to have an asbestos survey conducted and to maintain a record of the findings. To carry out the survey, you should contact a professional, competent asbestos surveying company.

What does HSG264 mean?

Published by HSE, HSG264 is an extensive document outlining the responsibilities of both duty holders and asbestos surveyors. It advises on how duty holders can plan for asbestos surveys as well as how surveys should be conducted.

The document also contains valuable information on the different kinds of asbestos surveying and how to ensure you identify the right one for your needs.

What are the types of asbestos surveys?

As noted in HSG264, there are three main types of asbestos surveys: asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys. Asbestos Management surveys are the most common, often undertaken for compliance purposes, and are used to identify ACMs and devise next steps in terms of monitoring & management, maintenance or removal. Asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys are designed to identify and remove ACMs prior to any demolition or refurbishment work.