Asbestos Surveys
Our comprehensive surveys can assist you with your duty to comply with the asbestos management laws. There are three main types of survey that we offer at Safeline. If you would like to see an example of our Type 3 Survey, please click here
Type 1: Location and assessment survey (presumptive survey)
The purpose of this survey is to locate, as far as is reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) in the building and to assess their condition. This survey essentially defers the need to sample and analyse for asbestos (or the absence thereof) until a later time (eg prior to demolition or major refurbishment). The duty holder bear potential additional costs of management for some non-asbestos containing materials.
Any materials which can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos, and where it appears highly likely to contain asbestos, there should be a strong presumption that it does.
All areas should be accessed and inspected as far as reasonably practicable (eg above false ceilings and inside risers, service ducts, lift shafts etc) or must be presumed to contain asbestos.
Type 2: Standard sampling, identification and assessment survey (sampling survey)
The purpose and procedures used in this survey are the same as for Type 1, except that representative samples are collected and analysed for the presence of asbestos. Samples from each type of suspect ACM found are collected and analysed to confirm or refute the surveyors judgement. If the material sampled is found to contain asbestos, other similar homogeneous materials used in the same way in the building can be strongly presumed to contain asbestos. Less homogeneous materials will require greater numbers of samples. The number should be sufficient for the surveyor to make an assessment of whether asbestos is or is not present.
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Type 3: Full access sampling and identification survey (pre-demolition/major refurbishment surveys)
This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACM’s in the building and may involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify possible ACM’s and estimates of the volume and surface area of ACM’s made. The survey is designed to be used as a basis for tendering the removal of ACM’s from the building prior to demolition or major refurbishment.
In certain instances it may be necessary to conduct ad-hoc sampling activities for suspected ACM’s e.g. confirmation that a corrugated cement roof contains asbestos. Safeline Environmental conduct all sampling activities in accordance with HSE guidance document MDHS 100, Surveying, Sampling and assessment of asbestos containing materials.
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Re-inspections of known asbestos containing materials
Regulation 4 The Duty to Manage Asbestos in Non Domestic Premises, of CAR 2006 requires the duty holder to ensure that asbestos containing materials are maintained in a good condition, so as to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres. Therefore it is essential that known asbestos containing materials are inspected on a regular basis.
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Asbestos Management Policy
Regulation 4 The Duty to Manage Asbestos in Non Domestic Premises, of CAR 2006 requires the duty holder to put into place an asbestos management policy. This document should outline the following:
- Details of how the location and condition of known or presumed asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) is recorded
- Priority assessments including priority assessment scores if algorithms have been used
- A table of priority for action
- Decisions about management options including the rationale
- A timetable for action
- Monitoring arrangements
- Employees and their responsibilities
- Training arrangements for employees and contractors
- A plan of implementation of new procedures, including those for external contractors
- The mechanism for passing information about the location and condition of ACM’s to those who need it
- Who will oversee the quality of the entries made on the management plan
- A procedure for review of the plan, including a timetable
Safeline Environmental assists its clients with the formulation of asbestos management policy and procedural documentation to ensure compliance.
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Formulation of Asbestos Removal Technical Specifications
In situations were asbestos removal works are put out to tender. Many of our clients have found it beneficial for a asbestos removal technical specification to be draw up. This documentation is to ensure that all aspects of the removal project are considered, so that the client receives like for like tender returns and avoids additional expenditure later in the project.
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Asbestos Removal Tender Escorts and Evaluations
Safeline Environmental routinely undertakes tender escorts and evaluations for its clients. This ensures that the removal contractors fully appreciate the complexity of the works and prevents unforeseen additional costs.
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Asbestos Removal Project Management (Due Diligence)
Increasingly, during undertaking of our survey projects. Safeline Environmental find time and time again asbestos residues and debris left over from previous asbestos removal projects.
Safeline Environmental can assist its clients in ensuring that this situation does not occur by managing asbestos removal works directly for our clients. During asbestos removal works we recommend having one of our experienced project managers on site to ensure that works are carried out in accordance with the contractor’s method statement and risk assessment.
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Asbestos Awareness Training
Regulation 10 Information, instruction and training of CAR 2006 requires the duty holder to ensure that the hazards relating to asbestos are effectively communicated to persons likely to come into contact with asbestos. This includes:
General Maintenance Staff
Electricians
Plumbers
Gas Fitters
Painters and Decorators
Joiners
Plasters
Demolition Workers
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Construction Workers
Roofers
Heating and Ventilation Engineers Telecommunications Engineers
Fire and Burglar Alarm Installers
Computer Installers
Architects, Building Surveyors
Shop Fitters
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Safeline Environmental can undertake asbestos awareness training consisting of a half day course covering the following aspects:
- The properties of asbestos and its effects on health
- The types, uses and likely occurrences of asbestos and ACM’s in buildings and plant
- General procedures to be followed to deal with an emergency, for example an uncontrolled release of asbestos into the workplace.
- How to avoid the risks from asbestos.
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