Asbestos Consultancy Services
Asbestos is the biggest occupational health problem ever encountered in the UK
The fifteen year plus latency period of asbestos related diseases means that positive efforts made now to reduce the effect of these fatal conditions will not be realised for some time.
To do nothing is not an option.
It is estimated that over 1.5 million workplace properties currently have some form of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in them. Whilst the materials remain in good condition, and are left undisturbed, they pose no risk; however, they have the potential to cause death if they are not properly managed.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 place a legal duty on employers to protect their employees from asbestos.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 place a legal duty on employers to protect their employees from asbestos. These Regulations require the “duty holder" to:
- Find out whether asbestos is present in their buildings, where it is located and what condition it is in.
- Assume that materials contain asbestos unless they can be sure they do not.
- Record their findings.
- Assess the risks from these materials.
- Prepare and implement plans to manage the risks from such asbestos.
- Provide information to anyone liable to come into contact with asbestos.
Property Managers and owners alike will need to ensure the above practices are completed as part of their role as the ‘duty holder’
Asbestos Services
There are three types of asbestos survey, they are as follows:
Click on the type you wish to find more information about.
Type 1. Presumptive 'walk-through' Asbestos Surveys
Walk-through asbestos surveys are a rapid, visual assessment of the suspected asbestos installations present on a site. The survey technique relies on the ability of the surveyor to visually identify asbestos and does not include the taking of samples to confirm the presence of asbestos. Hence the surveyor has presumed the presence of asbestos using his / her experience and knowledge of asbestos in buildings. Moreover, all installations and all inaccessible areas shall be assumed to contain asbestos, until it can be proven otherwise by a Type 2 or Type 3 survey.
The benefits of this survey technique are that it is very quick and less expensive than other survey types.
The disadvantages are that the accuracy of the survey is heavily dependent on the experience and expertise of the surveyor and that the survey will only highlight areas of probable asbestos. The duty is on the surveyor to assume materials contain asbestos, unless he is categorically sure that they do not.
Type 2. Standard Sampling Asbestos Survey
Standard sampling asbestos surveys are the most common form of asbestos survey undertaken. This requires the surveyor, again, to identify any installations on a site that she/he suspects may contain asbestos. These installations are then sampled (may require several samples depending on size and complexity of the suspect installation) and analysis carried out at an UKAS-accredited laboratory.
The benefits of this survey technique are that a much more accurate result than the survey is achieved, by confirming where asbestos is present. It will also give additional information on asbestos types / concentrations on which to base an assessment of risk.
The disadvantages are that the survey technique requires more time and is therefore more expensive. The survey does not include for breaking into voids or inaccessible areas, and as such the surveyor may miss any asbestos present in such areas.
Type 3. Full access Intrusive Asbestos Survey
Full access intrusive asbestos surveys extend the Type 2 survey to include investigations into reasonably accessible sealed voids and the fabric of the building. This will include breaking through partition walls, ceilings etc. to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos and, normally, this is carried out prior to demolition or major refurbishment works where significant damage to the building will not be a problem.
Asbestos Remedial Works
SM&MS will manage and coordinate any asbestos abatement works, on behalf of our clients including where we have not carried out the survey ourselves. Where we have not done the survey we would ask that we be provided with a copy of the existing Survey Report.
Through understanding your specific requirements we will present you with an effective solution for your needs. This service offers a unique and hassle free approach to the removal and encapsulation of asbestos.
The scope of this co-ordination would include the following:
- Draft specification for asbestos works in accordance with the existing Type 2 survey report.
- Invite three licensed contractors to submit tenders including site visit as required (dependant on size and nature of works)
- Evaluate tenders and advise on appointment of contractor.
- Following completion and receipt of Certificate of Reoccupation (Clearance Certificate) check all work carried out in accordance with specification.
- Update and reissue Management Plan and Asbestos Register including revised plans and photos as required.
Asbestos Monitoring
It is recommended that where an asbestos survey has previously been carried out, and materials containing asbestos were identified within the management plan, a yearly monitoring regime be implemented.
This will involve inspection of all known asbestos containing materials within the building.
Both the location and the condition of the asbestos containing materials are inspected. Where changes have occurred SM&MS Ltd will update the Building Asbestos Register, Management Plan and Location Plans.
This service can be provided irrespective of whether or not the original asbestos survey was conducted by SM&MS Ltd.
This will give you peace of mind that asbestos containing materials within your building pose no immediate danger to you and your employees.
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