Raeburn Group : Asbestos Division

Asbestos Surveys

Since May 21 2004, the Health & Safety Executive has required all non-domestic premises to hold an asbestos register on site as part of a Health and Safety Policy. The HSE can inspect company premises at any time and this register will need to be shown to be suitably managed, inspected and maintained. In order to produce asbestos registers it is usually necessary to carry out surveys to identify the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

The requirements as set out by the HSE refer to non-domestic properties. However, ACMs are present in domestic properties as well. Dwellers, builders, buyers/sellers, maintenance workers and the insurance industry are instructing surveys to be carried out on domestic properties. The presence of common ACMs such as a garage roof, an “Artex” textured coated ceiling or an asbestos cement water tank would all have an impact on works being carried out or the value of the property. Most buildings surveys will only list potential ACMs, sampling and identification of the materials will specifically address any issues arising.

Asbestos Contaminated Sites

With the development of brownfield sites, previous structures can often be a source of asbestos contamination within soils and underlying materials. Dealing with the contamination using sampling, testing and localized removal of asbestos within the soil minimises the environmental impact that the removal of the materials as contaminated waste would cause, significantly reducing costs.

Raeburn Group: Asbestos Division Products

Raeburn Group : Asbestos Division can offer a wide range of asbestos surveying, sampling and management products all carried out with experienced qualified staff to P402 certification including:-

Asbestos Surveys: These fall into three categories as specified in MDHS 100.

·                     Type 1: Location and assessment survey (presumptive survey)

           “…to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in the building and assess their condition. The survey essentially defers the need to sample and analyse for asbestos (or absence thereof) until a later time (eg, prior to demolition or major refurbishment). … All areas should be accessed as far as reasonably practicable (eg, above false ceilings and inside risers, service ducts, lift shafts, etc) or must be presumed to contain asbestos. Any materials which can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos must be presumed to contain asbestos, and where it appears highly likely to contain asbestos, there should be a strong presumption that it does. All materials which are presumed to contain asbestos must be assessed.”

·                     Type 2: Standard Sampling, Identification and Assessment Survey

           “…to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in the building and assess their condition. … All areas should be accessed as far as reasonably practicable (eg, above false ceilings and inside risers, service ducts, lift shafts, etc) or must be presumed to contain asbestos… Representative samples are collected and analysed for the presence of asbestos. Samples of each type of suspected ACM found are collected and analysed to confirm or refute the surveyor’s judgement. If the material sampled is found to contain asbestos, other similar homogenous materials used in the same way in the building can be strongly presumed to contain asbestos. Less homogenous materials will require a greater number of samples. The number should be sufficient for the surveyor to make an assessment of whether asbestos is or is not present….”

·                   Type 3: Full Access Sampling and Identification Survey (Pre-demolition/major refurbishment survey) – to be carried out in unoccupied premises

           “…to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the building and may involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify possible ACMs and estimates of the volume and surface area of ACMs is made… The 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….”

Raeburn Group : Asbestos Division will produce a survey report that will form part of the client’s asbestos register, and will provide location, extent, product type, level of identification, asbestos type, accessibility, amount of damage or deterioration and surface treatment. Information as to how clients can compile the other elements of an asbestos register (eg, emergency procedures, responsible people) will also be included in the report.

Asbestos Contaminated Sites: Raeburn Group : Asbestos Division can

·         Sample and identify ACMs materials within soils/materials using ground level surveys and trial pits

·         Take samples to calculate the percentage of contamination across whole sites and produce certification as to its hazardous waste classification

·         Produce site specific recommendations and for removal/remediation with localized areas of action.

·         Assess and review method statements.

·         Supervise the removal process, take samples as areas are cleared and provide onsite recommendations as work progresses.

·         Produce final reports and certificates showing the hazardous waste classification.

Domestic Properties:

·         Carry out sampling and identification of potential ACMs (or lack of)

·         Provide a report and recommendations as to the management or removal of materials

Other Products:

·         Bulk sampling and identification

·         Review existing asbestos registers for compliance and advice on management

·         Carry out recommended inspections on the condition of identified ACMs and provide further reports/recommendations if necessary.