Why do I need an Asbestos Survey?

First and foremost, you need an Asbestos Survey to protect any person, especially workmen from accidentally exposing themselves or others to asbestos fibres.

If your building was constructed or altered prior to 2000, then it may contain one or more of the many products manufactured that contain asbestos. You will therefore need a survey to locate them.

You have a ‘Duty to manage asbestos’ as set out within the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, so in order to manage the asbestos you need to know that you have got it. An asbestos survey identifies asbestos and assists the duty holder in the compilation of the management plan.

You also need to be aware that if you allow persons to disturb asbestos that is located within your property unknowingly, you are breaking the law as well as putting the health of those persons and other occupants at risk.

There are many documented instances of builders, plumbers and electricians drilling through innocuous panels, or cutting into pipe insulation, only to discover later that a potentially lethal mistake has been made.

The 'Duty to Manage' (Regulation 4) in the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, is specifically designed to tighten up the law to reduce the risk from asbestos materials present in buildings.

This is done is to help prevent the loss of lives through lack of knowledge on the whereabouts and condition of asbestos-containing materials.

What type of survey do I need?

There are two main types of Asbestos Survey, an asbestos management survey and an asbestos refurbishment / demolition survey.

The most common survey is the asbestos management survey, this is carried out to identify asbestos and carry out a material risk assessment for each item identified and a priority assessment if required. This will also produce an easy-to-read asbestos register, helping the duty holder to fulfil their obligations.

The refurbishment survey and demolition survey are carried out to identify any asbestos containing materials that they may be hidden within the fabric of the building, these areas need to be inspected prior to any intrusive building works being carried out or the building being demolished.