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Asbestos Air Monitoring is a method of detecting the level of airborne asbestos fibres within a specific area or as a background for reassurance. Asbestos Air Monitoring can also be commonly known as Asbestos Air Fibre Monitoring or Asbestos Air Testing, but the procedure remains the same.
Asbestos background testing is used to monitor the levels of asbestos fibres in air during a task/action that may have the capacity to disturb asbestos which is in situ.
This type of air test is generally used during asbestos removal or remediation projects and is carried out in the background when the project is taking place.
Background asbestos air testing is useful for a number of reasons. The background asbestos air testing and monitoring test provided details on the asbestos fibre concentrations in the air during a project or removal works.
These results provide a live snapshot of the project and from these results it can quickly be determined if the works are being caried out safely, or if any changes need to be made to working conditions on site. It allows for control measures employed on the project to be consistently monitored to ensure they are adequate to keep airborne asbestos fibre concentrations below the required levels.
CONTACT USAsbestos Air Monitoring is required for a number of reasons, some of the most common of these are:
After demolition work or surveys
Monitoring air after or during an asbestos removal project prior to re-occupation
Assessing the air in an area where asbestos materials are present and may be very poor condition
Assessment of air in areas where asbestos has been severely damaged, ie. a fire, flood or building collapse
Background Asbestos Air Monitoring allows for a detailed insight into the air in an affected area or surrounding areas. It allows for correct PPE or RPE to be used in specific circumstances such as asbestos removal works. It also allows for accurate data to be collected to assess if dust suppression methods commonly used as part of asbestos removal works are working satisfactorily and ensure that air fibre count remains at an acceptable level. Asbestos Air Monitoring also provides data which is required for asbestos removal operatives and other employees to be stored for employee exposure records which are required to be kept by law.
Asbestos reassurance air testing is used to confirm that an asbestos related project such as removal, refurbishment or building project has not resulted in airborne asbestos fibres to be raised above the respirable asbestos fibre control limit.
These reassurance asbestos air tests tend to be used strategically to represent a worst case scenario and therefore reflect the potential exposure to anyone using that premises.
Asbestos reassurance air testing is needed for a variety of reasons but the most common reason a reassurance air test is undertaken is to evidence that areas are safe to reoccupy after planned works, such as asbestos removal. The test is designed to provide a reassurance of the safety of the area to reoccupy.
Works which most commonly require an asbestos reassurance air test include:
Following planned non-licensed asbestos removal works or non-notifiable asbestos removal works. The test will provide evidence to demonstrate any residual fibres are below clearance indicator levels
Following the fourth stage of a four stage clearance (4SC). This will be undertaken once the asbestos removal enclosure has been removed following completion of the works.
The asbestos reassurance air test is undertaken to monitor airborne fibres during works such as asbestos remediation or removal works. The air test reveals details of the asbestos fibres in the air in concentrations to allow works to be evaluated for safety and all control measures are working appropriately to ensure airborne asbestos fibres are kept below a concentration deemed to cause asbestos related health consequences.
CONTACT USAll Asbestos Analysts must be fully qualified and hold P404 & P405 qualifications. All EMS analysts also have a minimum of 6 months practical experience, with most having over 5 years of experience. It is a legal requirement to be UKAS IS07025 accredited for air testing.
Air Monitoring works must be undertaken in line with ISO17025 and are carried out in accordance with HSE guidance ‘Asbestos: The analysts guide for sampling analysis and clearance procedures (HSG248) and UKAS Lab 30.
