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Before 1999, in the UK asbestos was reputedly used in around 3,500 very common building materials such as plasterboard, concrete products, roof tiles, gutters, friction products such as gaskets and brake linings and thermal insulation. Each one can be potentially very harmful, even fatal, if it has not been properly maintained or has been disturbed. If you are the duty holder of a building or structure built before1999, and require refurbishment or demolition, it is very likely that it will contain asbestos -containing materials (ACM). Any construction works would disturb the ACMs and potentially release harmful asbestos fibres into the air therefore, you will need an asbestos survey before works begin.
With our comprehensive asbestos surveys, we identify whether or not asbestos is present in your building or structure, where it is located, the type of asbestos and its condition. If it is present, we can provide consultancy and advice on how to manage the asbestos containing material safely or project manage its removal from site ensuring compliance to all regulatory requirements. We also review the ACMs and conduct asbestos re-inspections.
Over two decades, we have built a wealth of asbestos expertise and experience, so we can offer duty holders an end-to end asbestos management solution for all requirements.
Asbestos Surveys
There are two types of asbestos survey. Depending on the use of building and the works planned, the appropriate survey will be conducted. An asbestos survey is the only way to know for certain if you have asbestos containing materials in your building.
1. Asbestos refurbishment and demolition surveys
The refurbishment or demolition survey is required where the building, or part of it, needs upgrading, refurbishment or demolition. This must happen before any structural work begins. The building, or the area being refurbished, must be unoccupied.
Key details
- Provides the location, presence and extent of all ACMs (as far as reasonably practical)
- Involves destructive inspections, which may disturb ACMs
- Only conducted in unoccupied areas with all furnishings removed
- For minor refurbishments, the survey area should be strictly isolated
- This report does not assess the asbestos condition, but any ACMs in a dangerous state will be highlighted
- Visual inspections and, where required, air sampling is undertaken before the area can be occupied again
- Surveys can be conducted during ‘holiday periods’ such as in schools to ensure the rooms are not occupied at the time the survey is conducted
2. Asbestos management survey
The survey will locate the presence and extent of any ACMs during normal use of the building, to produce an asbestos register. It ensures any ACMs identified are managed to make sure nobody is harmed, they remain in good condition, and not disturbed. It also identified where there might be asbestos.
Key details
- The report will include the asbestos type, location, extent, condition and detail any surface treatment in a ‘materials assessment’.
- Can be conducted on small or large buildings
- Involves minor disturbance depending on the practicality of the building
- Will assess the condition of ACMs and ascertains if it will release asbestos fibres if disturbed
- May involve a combination of sampling to confirm asbestos is present or ‘presuming’ asbestos to be present
- Our surveyors will always try to confirm ACMs through sampling and analysis. Default presumptions are sometimes appropriate for small projects, however it can also cause issues further in the process and make managing asbestos more difficult for the duty holder
- Any areas that cannot be accessed will be presumed to contain asbestos and detailed in the report to ensure no maintenance work is carried out until it is checked
Asbestos re-inspections
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires that the condition of asbestos containing materials must be inspected regularly and records updated accordingly. Damage and deterioration can happen over time, so any ACM must be checked. The risk is assessed by the type of asbestos, extent, condition and location.
- We inspect all previously identified ACM areas
- Reassess the risks associated with the ACM
- Review your asbestos register and update it
- Provide advice for either the ongoing management or removal of the ACM if required
- Update all the required reports
- Re-inspections should not exceed 12 months
If you fail to meet your asbestos management responsibilities, including regular re-inspections, you could put anyone who uses the building at risk of severe health complications. This can result in prosecution.
Asbestos abatement works
All asbestos removal projects are managed in compliance to the approved codes of conduct, HSE, and Control of Asbestos legislation. Our trained asbestos consultants will oversee the works, carry out checks and site audits through to completion. Abatement works implemented by us will also ensure best value is sought by the provision of specifications and tender documents.
Our processes and procedures are of the highest international standard in accordance with ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management Services. Is this sentence in the right place?
Abatement works are required to ensure that higher risk asbestos products are removed and disposed safely and make sure other ACMs are monitored and managed in situ to minimise the risk of damage and/or fibre release.
Asbestos removal project management and consultancy
We provide the full project management of removal works, which is carried out by a third-party licenced removal contractor, including air monitoring and clearance certificate. We are independent of any licensed asbestos removal contractors (LARC) and non-licensed asbestos removal contractors (non-licensed asbestos is the lowest risk category). We ensure that any asbestos removal work is correctly specified, priced accordingly, planned, completed, reported and delivered on time.
Key actions
- Check the licenced asbestos removal contractor’s compliance to regulations, check and monitor processes, risk assessments and training records (on-site audit)
- Make sure the client brief is met.
- Support removal specification services with advice
- Check equipment, monitor site environment and decontamination units
- Record all activity on site
- Check compliance of waste routes to be used for removing asbestos waste from the asbestos removal area.
- Air monitoring and clearance
- Inspect the works on completion
Are you planning a refurbishment or demolition project on an old building?
The dangers that lie beneath the surface
Anthrax
If you are the duty holder of an old building it would be sensible to check for Anthrax especially if you suspect horsehair plaster is present. Horsehair and other animal hairs such as cows and goats, were commonly used in lime plaster as a binding agent. The Anthrax Prevention Act was brought into effect in 1919; if you have a property built around or before this date, the hairs within the plaster could be contaminated with Anthrax. The Anthrax spores are persistent which means, while many years have passed, if the plaster is disturbed it could still be a public health concern. As the duty holder you have a legal duty to introduce control measures to minimise any health risks to anyone who uses the building including staff or contractors working on the refurbishment. You are most likely to find it in lath and plaster in historic residential and commercial buildings on walls and ceilings.
- Remove samples for Anthrax testing
Lead paint and dust
The use of lead-based paint was commonly used in all buildings before 1970. Over time, the lead from the paint can leach into dust so it becomes contaminated. The paint can also become flaky and peel. It is a hazardous substance, which the body absorbs gradually building up in the blood, bones and soft tissue causing serious health problems. Any refurbishment works such as sanding is likely to disturb the lead containing paint and dust particles.
- Remove samples for ‘lead in paint’ testing
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