What Happens During an Asbestos Survey in the UK?
Asbestos was widely used as a manufacturing and building material before 1999 and many buildings still contain asbestos based materials. The definitive way to determine if asbestos is present in a building is to have an asbestos survey undertaken. The subsequent report can then be used as a basis for compiling a management plan for safely dealing with and managing the material.
What is an Asbestos Survey and How are they Carried Out?
Rightway Environmental are able to organise asbestos surveys to all building types including hospitals, offices, factories, MOD sites, schools and retails units. The type of asbestos survey may vary depending on site requirements as detailed below.
Management Survey
This is the standard survey for establishing if your building contains asbestos and provides the information necessary to compile a management plan if asbestos is present. It is a non-intrusive survey and does not require intrusive inspection of the building structure . Samples are taken and analysed of suspect materials during the course of the survey.
Pre-Refurbishment Survey
If you are planning refurbishment work on your building this survey will assess the risks involved in carrying out the proposed work. This survey is more intrusive than a management survey but it is localised around the area where the refurbishment is being carried out.
Pre-Demolition Survey
Much like the refurbishment survey, the pre-demolition survey is carried out when demolition of a building is planned. The major difference with this survey is that it is a full-scale intrusive survey designed to detect any and all asbestos based materials in a building.
Re-Inspection Survey
Re-inspection or condition surveys are undertaken on a regular basis to known asbestos containing materials (ACMs) within a building to check and report upon their condition. This ensures that if the materials have deteriorated and become more hazardous remedial action can be taken to mitigate the change in circumstances.
What Happens During an Asbestos Survey?
An experienced surveyor with a minimum of BOHS P402 qualification will be appointed to undertake the survey. The first part of the inspection will involve a walkthrough of the premises to enable the surveyor to compile an on site risk assessment.
Once this assessment has taken place the surveyor will start the survey looking for suspect asbestos containing materials. The survey will be undertaken methodically and meticulously in every accessible area of the building ensuring that no area is overlooked. During the inspection the Surveyor will detail any suspect asbestos materials on a plan and take photographs for inclusion in the report. Samples of materials are also taken for analysis and determination of content in an accredited laboratory.
Asbestos Surveying and Removal with Rightway Environmental
In addition to surveys Rightway Environmental offer a comprehensive asbestos removal service. Whether you require asbestos removal, encapsulation or decontamination, we can offer you the right solution at a competitive price.
All asbestos removal contracts are carried out in strict compliance with Health and Safety Executive Legislation and approved codes of practice.
To ensure ongoing compliance with relevant legislation Rightway regularly organise audits of its removal sites by internally trained auditors and external Consultants.
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Surveys are undertaken, in compliance with the Health and Safety Executive Guidance HSG264 the Surveying Guide, by fully trained and experienced surveyors holding British Occupational Hygiene Society qualifications BOHS P402 as a minimum.