How we can help
Should you require an asbestos survey (management survey or refurbishment and demolition survey) here is what we can do for you:
· Provide an experienced asbestos survey team to site to carry out a survey, as outlined in HSG 264 Asbestos: the Survey Guide.
· Take representative samples of any materials suspected of containing asbestos and to analyse these in accordance with HSE document HSG 248 – ‘Asbestos: The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures’.
· Prepare a detailed written report showing the location, extent and condition of all identified asbestos installations along with any remedial recommendations necessary. All recommendations shall be made considering the building is to be safely managed.
· The data from the reports will also be used to assist in the customer’s duty to manage asbestos and to provide suitable & sufficient risk assessments for staff & contractors.
If you would like to book a survey or would like more information regarding asbestos you can call Neal on 083-1066404 or click the button below:
Management Surveys
A management survey is the standard survey. Its purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance and installation, and to assess their condition.
Management surveys will often involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance. The extent of intrusion will vary between premises and depend on what is reasonably practicable for individual properties, ie it will depend on factors such as the type of building, the nature of construction, accessibility etc. A management survey should include an assessment of the condition of the various ACMs and their ability to release fibres into the air if they are disturbed in some way. This ‘material assessment’ will give a good initial guide to the priority for managing ACMs as it will identify the materials which will most readily release airborne fibres if they are disturbed.
The survey will usually involve sampling and analysis to confirm the presence or absence of ACMs. However, a management survey can also involve presuming the presence or absence of asbestos. A management survey can be completed using a combination of sampling ACMs and presuming ACMs or, indeed, just presuming. Any materials presumed to contain asbestos must also have their condition assessed (ie a material assessment).
Management surveys will often involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance. The extent of intrusion will vary between premises and depend on what is reasonably practicable for individual properties, ie it will depend on factors such as the type of building, the nature of construction, accessibility etc. A management survey should include an assessment of the condition of the various ACMs and their ability to release fibres into the air if they are disturbed in some way. This ‘material assessment’ will give a good initial guide to the priority for managing ACMs as it will identify the materials which will most readily release airborne fibres if they are disturbed.
The survey will usually involve sampling and analysis to confirm the presence or absence of ACMs. However, a management survey can also involve presuming the presence or absence of asbestos. A management survey can be completed using a combination of sampling ACMs and presuming ACMs or, indeed, just presuming. Any materials presumed to contain asbestos must also have their condition assessed (ie a material assessment).
Refurbishment and Demolition Survey
A refurbishment and demolition survey is needed before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place or in the whole building if demolition is planned. The survey will be fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. A refurbishment and demolition survey may also be required in other circumstances, eg when more intrusive maintenance and repair work will be carried out or for plant removal or dismantling.
In this type of survey, the asbestos is identified so it can be removed (rather than managed). This survey does not normally assess the condition of the asbestos, other than to indicate areas of damage or where additional asbestos debris may be present. Where the materials sampled are found to contain asbestos, other similar materials or components have been presumed to contain asbestos. As part of the Refurbishment & Demolition Survey the current condition of any proven or presumed ACMs will be recorded. Any urgent remedial works required to reduce the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres will be highlighted. Any areas which need further investigation will also be highlighted.
In this type of survey, the asbestos is identified so it can be removed (rather than managed). This survey does not normally assess the condition of the asbestos, other than to indicate areas of damage or where additional asbestos debris may be present. Where the materials sampled are found to contain asbestos, other similar materials or components have been presumed to contain asbestos. As part of the Refurbishment & Demolition Survey the current condition of any proven or presumed ACMs will be recorded. Any urgent remedial works required to reduce the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres will be highlighted. Any areas which need further investigation will also be highlighted.
Relevant Legislation
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (No. 10 of 2005)
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007)
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 1994, as amended in 1998 (S.I. No. 146 of 1994 and S.I. 248 of 1998)
- Chemicals (Asbestos Articles) Regulations, 2011 (S.I. No. 248 of 2011)
- The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 & 2010
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013)
- Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 619 of 2001)
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens) Regulations,2001 (S.I. No. 078 of 2001)
- European Communities (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment) Regulations,2011 (S.I. No. 349 of 2011)
- Air Pollution Act, 1987
- Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) in Workplaces Guidance (Published by HSA 2013)