Should Asbestos Be Tested Yearly in Sussex?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in construction due to its thermal and fire-resistant properties. However, it was later discovered that asbestos fibers can cause severe health problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. As a result, the use of asbestos has been banned in many countries. However, there are still many buildings that contain asbestos, especially in the UK, where it was widely used until the 1990s.

Asbestos poses a significant health risk if it is damaged, disturbed, or deteriorated, causing the release of small asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers are invisible to the naked eye, and if inhaled, they can cause serious lung diseases that may take years to develop. In the UK, asbestos is considered to be the single greatest cause of work-related deaths, with around 5,000 people dying each year due to asbestos-related diseases.

As a result, it is essential to manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings to prevent exposure to airborne fibers. One part of this management process is to conduct regular asbestos surveys to identify the presence of asbestos and its condition. The question is, should asbestos be tested yearly in Sussex?

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex A Trusted Asbestos Testing Company in Sussex

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex is a trusted asbestos testing company in Sussex that provides professional asbestos surveys and testing services for residential and commercial properties. With years of experience in the industry, our team of experts is highly trained and qualified to conduct asbestos surveys in compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Our asbestos testing services are affordable, and we provide fast and efficient results. We offer two types of asbestos surveys:

Management Asbestos Survey

A management asbestos survey aims to identify the presence, location, and extent of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a building. It is a non-intrusive survey that involves a visual inspection of the building's structure and sample collection of suspected ACMs.

The survey will provide an asbestos register, which is a record of the location, type, and condition of any ACMs on the premises. It also includes an asbestos management plan, which identifies the risks associated with the ACMs and specifies the measures needed to control or remove them.

Refurbishment and Demolition Asbestos Survey

A refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey is required before any renovations or works that may disturb the building's structure. It aims to identify all ACMs in the areas where the refurbishment or demolition work will take place. This survey is intrusive and involves taking samples of suspected ACMs, which may require access to the structure's cavities and voids.

The survey will provide an asbestos report that identifies all ACMs that will be affected during the refurbishment, demolition, or removal works. This report will also include a plan for managing the ACMs during the works and any necessary removal procedures.

Asbestos The Problematic Material

Asbestos was widely used in construction until it was banned in the UK in 1999. However, many buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), especially those built before the 1990s. The most common ACMs include:

• Asbestos cement products (roofing and cladding sheets)
• Asbestos insulation board (AIB)
• Sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls, and columns
• Textured coatings such as Artex
• Lagging insulation

Managing asbestos is essential to prevent exposure to airborne fibers, which can cause significant health problems. Exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, which are serious lung diseases that can take years to develop.

Asbestos becomes hazardous when it is damaged, disturbed, or deteriorated. The fibers are then released into the air, and if inhaled, they can cause serious lung diseases that may take years to develop. Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye, and people may not know they have been exposed until many years later.

Asbestos Survey and Management

Asbestos survey and management are crucial to managing ACMs in buildings. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires anyone responsible for the maintenance or repair of a building to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on the premises.

Asbestos surveys involve the identification of ACMs, their condition, and location in a building or structure. A management survey is recommended for all non-domestic buildings, while a refurbishment and demolition survey is required for any building works that may disturb the building structure.

The surveys provide an asbestos register, which is a record of the location, type, and condition of any ACMs on the premises. It also includes an asbestos management plan, which identifies the risks associated with the ACMs and specifies the measures needed to control or remove them.

The Risk in Sussex and South East England

Sussex and South East England are areas where many buildings still contain ACMs. Asbestos was widely used in construction until the 1990s, and many buildings may still contain ACMs. The risk of exposure to asbestos fibers is high when the ACMs are disturbed due to renovation or building works, demolition, or maintenance.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that asbestos surveys and management are carried out on a regular basis to prevent exposure to airborne fibers. The frequency of the surveys depends on the type of building and the presence of ACMs. If there are no ACMs in a building, then a survey is not required.

However, if asbestos is present, the building owner or manager must ensure that the ACMs are identified, maintained, and ideally removed. If the ACMs are in good condition and are not likely to be damaged, they may be left in place and managed according to the asbestos management plan.

Conclusion

Asbestos is a problematic material that can cause significant health problems if it is not managed correctly. Managing asbestos in buildings is crucial to prevent exposure to airborne fibers that can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Asbestos surveys are an essential part of managing ACMs in buildings, and they should be carried out periodically to ensure that the asbestos register and management plan are up-to-date. Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex is a trusted asbestos testing company in Sussex that provides professional asbestos surveys and testing services for residential and commercial properties. Contact us today at 01273 978238 to schedule an asbestos survey or to discuss your asbestos management needs.