Do Contractors Need To See Asbestos Survey Report in Sussex?

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we are often asked by contractors whether they need to see the asbestos survey report for the building they are working on. The answer is yes, and in this article, we will explore why.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials until the 1980s. It was valued for its strength, heat resistance, and insulating properties. However, it was later discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious and often fatal lung diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

As a result, the use of asbestos in building materials was banned in the UK in 1999. However, many buildings still contain asbestos, especially those built before the 1980s. This means that asbestos management is an important issue for building owners and contractors who work on these buildings.

Asbestos Survey and Asbestos Management

The UK law requires building owners to identify the presence of asbestos in their buildings and manage it appropriately to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers. This means that if you own or manage a building that was built before 2000, you must have an asbestos survey carried out by a competent surveyor.

An asbestos survey is a comprehensive inspection of a building to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and assess their condition. The survey report provides information on the location, type, and condition of asbestos-containing materials in the building.

The survey report also includes recommendations on how to manage the asbestos, which can vary depending on the type and condition of the ACMs. The management plan should prevent exposure to asbestos fibers, and it should be reviewed regularly to ensure its effectiveness.

Asbestos Survey Types

There are two types of asbestos surveys: management survey and refurbishment/demolition survey.

Management Survey

A management survey is the standard survey required for all non-domestic buildings built before 2000. It is a non-intrusive survey that aims to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any asbestos-containing materials in the building.

The purpose of the management survey is to enable the building owner to assess the risk of exposure to asbestos fibers, prepare an asbestos management plan, and ensure that asbestos-containing materials are managed appropriately.

Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

A refurbishment/demolition survey is required when a building is due to be refurbished or demolished. It is a more intrusive survey that involves destructive inspection of the building fabric to identify any ACMs that may be disturbed during the work.

The purpose of the survey is to ensure that any ACMs that may be disturbed during the work are identified and removed before the work begins to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Survey Report

The asbestos survey report is a written document that provides detailed information on the asbestos-containing materials identified in the survey. It includes photographs, locations, and condition of the ACMs, as well as recommendations on how to manage or remove them.

The asbestos survey report is a crucial document that must be kept on file and provided to anyone who may work on the building, including contractors, maintenance staff, and others. This is because the report provides important information for anyone who needs to work near or handle the ACMs.

Duty to Manage Asbestos

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, building owners and managers have a duty to manage asbestos in their buildings. This means that they must identify any ACMs, assess the risk of exposure to asbestos fibers, and prepare a written asbestos management plan.

The asbestos management plan should include details of the location, type, and condition of the ACMs, as well as procedures for managing the ACMs and monitoring their condition. The plan should be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to ensure that it remains effective.

Contractors who work on buildings that may contain asbestos have a duty to cooperate with the building owner or manager in managing the ACMs. This includes following the procedures set out in the asbestos management plan and reporting any damage or disturbance of ACMs during the work.

The Law and Asbestos

The law requires that anyone who owns, manages, or works on a building that may contain asbestos takes appropriate measures to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers. This includes complying with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which sets out the legal requirements for asbestos management in the UK.

The law applies equally to domestic and non-domestic buildings, and failure to comply can result in fines or imprisonment. Therefore, it is essential that building owners, managers, and contractors are aware of their legal obligations and take appropriate measures to manage asbestos in their buildings.

Why Contractors Need to See Asbestos Survey Report

Asbestos survey reports provide critical information for contractors who work on buildings that may contain asbestos. This includes identifying the location, type, and condition of the ACMs, as well as recommendations on how to manage or remove them.

By seeing the survey report, contractors can ensure that they are aware of any ACMs that may be disturbed during the work and take appropriate measures to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers. This includes using suitable protective equipment, following the procedures set out in the asbestos management plan, and reporting any damage or disturbance of ACMs during the work.

Failure to comply with the procedures set out in the asbestos management plan can result in exposure to asbestos fibers and potentially fatal lung diseases. Therefore, it is essential that contractors have access to the asbestos survey report and follow the procedures set out in it.

Conclusion

Asbestos management is an essential issue for building owners, managers, and contractors who work on buildings that may contain asbestos. The law requires building owners to identify the presence of asbestos in their buildings and manage it appropriately to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos survey reports provide critical information for contractors who work on buildings that may contain asbestos. By seeing the survey report, contractors can ensure that they are aware of any ACMs that may be disturbed during the work and take appropriate measures to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers.

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we provide asbestos survey services for all types of buildings in Sussex and the South East England. If you need an asbestos survey or have any questions about asbestos management, please contact us on 01273 978238 or email us at [email protected].