Surveys

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (CAWR) introduce an explicit duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. The HSE clearly states that 'this duty to manage becomes law on May 21 2004 and requires those responsible for maintenance and repair of non-domestic premises to assess whether there is any asbestos in their buildings, and, depending on its condition, either remove it or manage it. Specifically, those in control of premises must:

• take reasonable steps to determine the location and condition of materials likely to contain asbestos; 
• presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not; 
• make and keep an up to date record of the location and condition of the Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) or presumed ACMs in the premises; 
• assess the risk of the likelihood of anyone being exposed to fibres from these materials; 
• prepare a plan setting out how the risks from the materials are to be managed; 
• take the necessary steps to put the plan into action; 
• review and monitor the plan periodically; and 
• provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.

Given that the deadline was May 21 2004, it is essential that you devise a compliance strategy at the earliest opportunity.

This should include:

• decision on the type of inspection/survey 
• identification of who should carry out the work 
• determine priorities in terms of which buildings first 
• details of how information is to be recorded/retrieved 
• consideration on how maintenance will be controlled.

Survey types

Asbestco Limited can conduct any of the three survey types as a pre-cursor to effective management. 

Our highly experienced surveyors ensure that any material is precisely located and identified, ensuring you are not exposed either physically or legally at some future date. We then develop a risk assessment with recommendations. Depending on the material's condition and site occupation factors, we will either advise that it is simply made safe and labelled, properly repaired or removed altogether.