NEW guidance for asbestos surveys
NEW guidance for asbestos surveys
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 10:26
NEW guidance for asbestos surveys place strict obligations on you the Client and your Team.
Over the last twenty years individuals and businesses have become aware that asbestos causes numerous fatalities, but few realise that the greatest number of work-related deaths in the UK are asbestos related, with client organisations still mismanaging the asbestos management process.
With the new guidance on asbestos surveys due to be issued the time has now arrived to make the most significant change in the way we manage asbestos, from this autumn those responsible for property management will need to comply with the new guidance, named company individuals and asbestos surveyors, the duty holders acting on behalf of the client – these named individuals will be responsible for protecting residents, employees and visitors from the dangers of asbestos.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are to finally issue new guidance for asbestos surveys which will be introduced this autumn. At Logic SHE Solutions we are already discussing the new guidance and possible impact with our clients, and they all need understand that those requesting the asbestos surveys and the surveying companies that carry out the requested surveys must meet their obligations under the new guidance, the new guidance will cover all aspects of surveying, sampling, and assessment of asbestos containing materials (ACMs).
The new guidance will make a significant improvement to the way asbestos surveys are procured and clients will be required to meet their obligations and manage the process with their duty holders being held responsible and therefore the company being held to account, no longer will asbestos management be put to ‘one side as a matter to be dealt with at a later date’
Duty holders will also be responsible for making sure surveyors are competent by obtaining details from surveyors of their competency, including insurance, references, and plans showing where asbestos sampling and disturbance will take place, for the buildings under their control, also information on building usage along with known hazards and access details to the building.
Brian Parish, Logic SHE Solutions Managing Director commented:-
"The new guidelines are a significant improvement and represent a significant step forward for the asbestos management process, for too long asbestos management has been put to one side, or left to the asbestos company to manage the asbestos issue on behalf of the client, the industry and the duty holders need to understand their responsibilities and legal obligations within the new guidance and take advice from companies with a proven track record, at Logic SHE Solutions we have been resolving asbestos issues for government departments, blue chip companies and SME’s for the last six years and introduced ‘Best Practice’ management systems to achieve the requirements that should be expected in a modern working environment’
Under the new guidance, there will now be just two types of survey:
• Management survey - A “management” survey is undertaken to address the risks from asbestos associated with the continued use of the building (i.e. normal occupancy and activities, and associated maintenance and development). This type of survey is performed to ensure that no one is harmed by the continued presence of asbestos in premises designed to locate the presence and extent of ACMs, so that the duty holder can prepare a plan for the management of asbestos
• Refurbishment/demolition survey - There are also circumstances where a far more intrusive survey is necessary to establish the full extent and complete presence of asbestos. This type of survey is necessary prior to any refurbishment (including “minor”) or demolition work being carried out. These “refurbishment/ demolition” surveys will be much more intrusive and destructive compared with management surveys as their intention is to locate all the ACMs so that they can be removed before the refurbishment or demolition takes place. Refurbishment/demolition surveys are required as necessary when the needs or use of the building changes and the fabric of the building will be disturbed or complex fixed plant (e.g. large ovens) are to be dismantled.
Once the survey has been completed, the duty holder has a further obligation to check the accuracy of the survey report, which include the type of survey requested and delivered, that all the rooms and areas have been accessed with sufficient samples taken to produce a worthwhile document.
