Asbestos Survey Requirements
The HSE publication 'Asbestos: the survey guide', published 2010, states that:
'Anyone undertaking surveys should:
- Have sufficient training, qualifications, knowledge and experience
- Be able to demonstrate independence, impartiality and integrity
All surveys carried out by Amber meet these requirements.
Aim and Purpose of Asbestos Surveys
The aim of the asbestos survey is to locate, as far as is reasonably practicable, and assess all the asbestos containing materials present in a particular building or site. The purpose is to present the employer with the information collected in a way that will allow them to manage the risk.
The type of survey will be determined at the planning stage and will depend upon the circumstances i.e. pre-demolition or major refurbishment, repair or normal occupation.
Type of Survey
There are two types of asbestos survey described in the HSE book 'Asbestos: The survey guide', reference HSG264 published 2010. This replaces and expands on MDHS 100, Surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos containing materials.
Management Surveys
The purpose of a Management Survey (previously Types 1 and 2 of MDHS 100) is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable the presence and extent of any suspected asbestos containing materials in the premises 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.
Management surveys can involve a combination of sampling to confirm asbestos is present or presuming asbestos to be present. An assessment of the condition of the asbestos containing materials and their ability to release fibres if disturbed will be included with this survey.
Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys
This type of survey (previously Type 3 of MDHS 100) is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all asbestos containing materials in the area/s where refurbishment or demolition is due to take place.
This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all asbestos containing materials in the building or site and may involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those which may be difficult to reach. A full sampling programme is undertaken. This type of survey does not assess the condition of the asbestos, other than to note areas of damage or where additional asbestos debris may be expected to be present.
It is possible that a mixture of survey types may be used, particularly in larger buildings or where certain areas may be subject to refurbishment.