What is Asbestos Surveying in Sussex?

Asbestos surveying is an essential part of building safety in Sussex, South East England, and beyond. If your building was built before 2000, it could contain asbestos, a hazardous material that can cause severe health problems if disturbed. Asbestos surveying involves identifying and assessing any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present in a building and providing advice on how to manage or remove them safely.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex: Your Asbestos Survey Company in Sussex

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we are a trusted and experienced asbestos survey company in Sussex. Our team of qualified and certified asbestos surveyors has over ten years of experience in the industry, providing accurate and reliable asbestos surveys to clients across Sussex and South East England.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were extensively used in building materials prior to the 1980s. Its widespread use was due to its resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals, as well as its excellent insulating properties. However, this material was later found to cause severe health problems, including cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, when its fibers are inhaled or ingested.

Due to the severity of asbestos-related illnesses, the use of this material has been banned in many countries, including the UK.

What is an Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos survey is an inspection of a building to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present in its structure. The surveyor will take samples of any suspected ACMs, which are then analyzed in a lab to determine the presence and quantity of asbestos fibers present.

The survey report typically includes a detailed plan of the building, an assessment of the condition of any ACMs, and recommendations on how to manage or remove them safely to avoid any health risks.

In the UK, there are two types of asbestos surveys: the management asbestos survey and the refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey.

Management Asbestos Survey

A management asbestos survey is carried out to identify the presence and condition of any ACMs that could be disturbed during normal use or maintenance of a building. This survey is non-intrusive and involves only minor disturbance to surfaces where asbestos-containing materials are suspected.

The aim of this survey is to provide sufficient information for building owners or managers to put together an asbestos management plan and ensure that any ACMs are managed or removed safely to prevent any health risks to employees or occupants.

Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Survey

A refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey is carried out before any major refurbishment, demolition, or similar work to a building where there is a high likelihood of disturbance to ACMs. This survey is intrusive and involves significant damage to surfaces, so it should only be carried out by qualified and experienced asbestos surveyors.

The aim of this survey is to identify all ACMs present in the building and provide advice on how to manage or remove them safely before the work is carried out.

Why do You Need an Asbestos Surveyor?

Asbestos surveying is a complex and specialist area of work that requires experience, training, and qualifications. A qualified asbestos surveyor has the expertise and knowledge needed to identify and assess any potentially harmful ACMs in your building and provide recommendations on how to manage or remove them safely.

Employing the services of a qualified asbestos surveyor helps to protect the health and safety of anyone who could be affected by the presence of ACMs, including building occupants, employees, and contractors.

What do Asbestos Surveyors Do?

Asbestos surveyors are responsible for carrying out asbestos surveys, analyzing samples of suspected ACMs, and producing detailed reports on their findings. They also provide advice on how to manage or remove any ACMs present in a building safely.

An asbestos surveyor has the following responsibilities:

• Identifying any ACMs present in a building
• Sampling suspected ACMs and analyzing them in a lab
• Providing recommendations on how to manage or remove ACMs safely
• Providing a detailed report on their findings and recommendations

Asbestos Surveyor Training and Health & Safety

Asbestos surveyors require specific training and qualifications to carry out their work safely and effectively. Asbestos surveyors need to be British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) qualified and trained to carry out asbestos surveys to the correct standards.

Health and safety are a top priority for asbestos surveyors, and they will take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of anyone else present during the survey. This includes wearing protective clothing and using appropriate equipment to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos surveyors are familiar with legal regulations related to the management and removal of ACMs and provide advice on how to comply with these regulations to avoid any legal implications.

The Importance of Asbestos Surveying in Construction

If you are planning any building work, it is essential to carry out an asbestos survey to identify if any ACMs are present. This is particularly true if the building was built before the 2000s.

An asbestos survey can help to protect the health and safety of anyone carrying out construction work on your building, as well as building occupants, by identifying any hazardous materials that could be disturbed during the work.

Including asbestos surveying in your construction plan can help to avoid any delays or legal implications that may occur if ACMs are identified during construction.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex: Your Trusted Asbestos Surveyors in Sussex

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Sussex, we have over ten years of experience providing reliable asbestos surveys to clients across Sussex and South East England. We understand the importance of protecting the health and safety of building occupants, employees, and contractors, and we take pride in providing accurate and reliable asbestos surveying services.

Our team of qualified asbestos surveyors is trained to the appropriate standards and knows how to manage any ACMs safely to avoid health risks. We provide detailed reports on our findings and recommendations, keeping you fully informed every step of the way.

Contact us today to schedule your asbestos survey in Sussex. You can reach us by phone at 01273 978238 or by email at [email protected]. Visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-sussex.co.uk to learn more about our services and how we can help you protect the health and safety of your building.