Why are surveys and management of asbestos considered crucial activities?

The UK laws require an asbestos survey of properties as asbestos possesses high risk. There are two types of surveys, and a building may require one or both depending on how it was planned and used.

Asbestos is the primary cause of death in the UK and which are work-related. The construction industries account for the majority of these deaths. Nearly 5000 people die from asbestos exposure every year in the UK. Asbestos is known as the hidden killer. Apart from the casualties, thousands suffer from asbestos-related diseases, which are ultimately fatal.

The two types of asbestos survey are

• Asbestos Management survey
• Demolition and refurbishment asbestos survey

Why is an asbestos survey required?

Asbestos was prevalent in the 20th century in the UK, with extensive use in buildings from the 1950s till the 1990s. Any building built or refurbished during that period had asbestos used in it. It means a large number of buildings had it until it got banned in 1999.

Today, surveys are conducted to remove them to safeguard people and the environment from the health hazards of asbestos. With so many buildings having asbestos in them, it is difficult to tell just by looking at it. Most of the time, asbestos is bonded with other materials and hence hidden. As such, an asbestos survey is the only way to find out its presence.

Asbestos Survey in Gloucestershire is executed by surveyors licensed and experts in handling this hazardous material. Standard concrete products or plasterboards and insulations contain deadly asbestos fibres. Independent surveyors mustn't conduct such surveys, but those who are HSE licensed.

Attributes of the surveyor

Whenever an asbestos survey is required, the surveyor ship appointed should be licensed, experienced, and have training and qualifications to carry out the job. Knowledge of asbestos products, asbestos survey work, and quality management is a prerequisite.

Asbestos Management survey

The Asbestos Management Survey is simple and the first of its type of asbestos survey. The management survey, as the title suggests, is all about managing asbestos. The management survey is a visual inspection. It notes down the conditions of the materials containing the asbestos and the risk involved for people during occupancy. The people who reside in such buildings are also aware of the asbestos condition and can help tell the conditions for their experiences.

The management survey usually takes minor samples and does minor intrusive work. Some presumption also happens regarding the presence of asbestos without actually taking the sample. So, a management survey of asbestos is a combination of taking samples to confirm the presence of asbestos and presuming its presence.

Demolition and refurbishment asbestos survey

Asbestos gets disturbed during any construction work. The fibres get released and impact people close by. These fibres can be breathed and can cause severe lung disease, if not immediately, then a few years down the line.

One may not be aware of having breathed in the asbestos fibre as there are usually no immediate effects. In this scenario, a Demolition and refurbishment asbestos survey are essential before construction work starts.

It will help in identifying the materials having an asbestos presence. The construction work of either demolition or refurbishment can take necessary precautions when asbestos material is disturbed.

Ledbury Surveys offers accurate and highly reliable asbestos services with experience of diligently undertaking works on a wide scope of projects.