The Control of Asbestos at Work, Regulations 2002 (CAWR), defines an explicit duty with regard to the management of asbestos in non-domestic premises. The HSE clearly states that this duty to manage which became law in May 21 2004, requires those responsible for maintenance and repair of non-domestic premises to assess whether there is any asbestos in their buildings, and, depending on its condition, either remove it or manage it.

Specifically, those in responsible of premises must:

• Take reasonable steps to determine the location and condition of materials likely to contain asbestos
• Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
• Make and keep an up to date record of the location and condition of the Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) or presumed ACMs in the premises
• Assess the risk of the likelihood of anyone being exposed to fibres from these materials
• Prepare a plan setting out how the risks from the materials are to be managed; 
• Take the necessary steps to put the plan into action 
• Rview and monitor the plan periodically
• Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.

Any compliance strategy should include:

• Decision on the type of inspection/survey 
• Identify of who should carry out the work
• Determine priorities in terms of which buildings first 
• Details of how information is to be recorded/retrieved 
• Consideration on how maintenance will be controlled.

Survey types

Fleet Insulation can conduct any of the three survey types as a pre-cursor to effective management.

1 - Presumptive Survey

The location of asbestos materials within a building are registered and monitored within the survey. Because no sampling occurs there is a very real possibility that materials that do not contain asbestos are managed as if they do. Over time this would make management of materials very expensive, as prior to any work within the fabric of the building, the materials would need to be sampled by a UKAS Accredited Laboratory. This is seen as a less accurate form of surveying.

2 - Standard Sampling or Non Destructive Survey

This expands further from a type 1 survey by sampling and identifying materials through analysis. This is the most recognisable survey within the industry at present and can provide the corner stone for the asbestos management plan.

3 - Destructive Survey or Pre-Demolition / Major Refurbishment Survey

This requires a thorough survey of all materials within the building regardless of how accessible they are. This must be undertaken prior to any destructive work on a building to prevent the uncontrolled spread of asbestos materials.

Our experienced surveyors ensure that any asbestos material is precisely located and identified. Using this site audit, we then produce a risk assessment with recommendations based on safety and compliance. Depending on the material's condition and site occupation, we will either advise that it is simply made safe and labelled, properly repaired or removed altogether.