Asbestos Surveys...
'Legislative Duties'
Asbestos-containing materials (ACM's) have been widely used in buildings as construction materials, fireproofing, thermal insulation, electrical insulation, sound insulation, decorative plasters, roofing products, flooring products, heat-resistant materials, gaskets, friction products etc. This means that in Britain there are many thousands of tonnes of asbestos still in buildings, where, so long as it is in good condition and remains undisturbed, presents very little risk. However, when asbestos is disturbed or damaged, the fibres are released into the air and people breathe them in, which creates risk to human health.
Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that “owners and occupiers of non-domestic premises, who have maintenance and repair responsibilities for those premises, have a duty to assess them for the presence of asbestos and the condition of that asbestos. Where asbestos is present the duty holder must ensure that the risk from the asbestos is assessed, that a written plan identifying where that asbestos is located is prepared and that measures to manage the risk from the asbestos are set out in that plan and implemented.”
Rilmac's Role
In order to establish an effective asbestos management plan it may be a requirement to undertake a survey of the premises to identify and record the location, extent and condition of any ACM's that may be present in a building. The expertise within Rilmac Insulation Ltd can be of service to the duty holder of a building. Rilmac have over 40 years of experience in dealing with asbestos related issues, ranging from the installation of asbestos materials in our early history, to the subsequent removal of such materials once the health risks associated with them had been fully recognised.
Rilmac's long history of dealing with asbestos problems has enabled the company to develop expertise in surveying premises. Rilmac surveyors carry out Types 1, 2 & 3 asbestos surveys in accordance with the requirements of Health & Safety Executive (HSE) document MDHS 100, which sets the current benchmark for survey work.
The surveys are conducted by means of visual inspection and the subsequent sampling of materials suspected of containing asbestos. The surveys are carried out by trained surveyors with knowledge of building construction/design and experienced in techniques of recognising and sampling asbestos materials.
Analysis of samples collected is always performed by a UKAS accredited laboratory in accordance with procedures detailed by the HSE in their Guidance Note HSG248.
Upon completion of the site work and receipt of analysis results a detailed survey report is produced. The report includes survey data sheets detailing identified ACM's, together with a risk assessment of the potential fibre release of each ACM found. The report also includes recommendations for the safe management of identified ACM's for compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations. Site layout plans are usually used to orientate a report and to highlight the extent of any ACM's found. Digital photographs are also taken to amplify the report's findings.
Rilmac's Clients
Rilmac has carried out asbestos surveys for many different types of client across a wide range of work environments, in both the public and private sector. These include:
- County & City Councils
- Construction Companies
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Manufacturing Companies
- Food & Drinks Companies
- Office Based Service Companies
- MOD Sites
- Facilities Management Companies
Rilmac's Survey Team
All Rilmac Asbestos Surveyors hold a BIOH P405, Proficiency Certificate in Management of Asbestos in Buildings.
