Regulations
ASBESTOS DO YOU KNOW THE RULES?
DUTY TO MANAGE
The duty to manage asbestos in buildings is contained in Regulation 4 of The Control of Asbestos
Regulations 2012, requires the person who has the duty (i.e. the "dutyholder") to:
- take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in;
- presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not;
- make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos
- containing materials - or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos;
- assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified;
- prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed;
- take the necessary steps to put the plan into action;
- Periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date; and provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.
ARE YOU A DUTY HOLDER?
Do you have clear responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises through an explicit agreement such as a tenancy agreement or contract?
It may not specify who has responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises. In these cases, or where the premises are unoccupied, the duty is placed on whoever has control of the premises, or part of the premises. Often this will be the owner.
The main purpose of an Asbestos survey is to make the duty holder and others aware of the locations of asbestos within a building to ensure the safety of employees, contractors and the general public.
There are two types of survey for asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) and the Duty-Holder, building owner, employer and surveyor need to be clear on the type of survey needed, where the survey is needed, and what records should result.
Management Survey - required to assess the types and condition of any ACM during the normal occupation and use of premises.
Refurbishment / Demolition Survey - required where the premises, or part of it, need upgrading, refurbishment or demolition.
ARG’s surveyors are experienced in surveying all types of premises, When a material is suspected of containing asbestos, a bulk sample is taken and a risk assessment is recorded at the time, thus determining (via a pre-determined points scoring system) whether (if asbestos) the material requires removal, repair or managing. All bulk samples are deposited with an independent UKAS accredited laboratory for analysis and certified with a written report.
The findings of Asbestos Surveys are incorporated into a document known as an Asbestos Register. The register documents the location of known asbestos within a building and should always be available on site for inspection and made available to contractors before the start of any works.
Following the completion of the survey our team are able to offer advice and recommendations in conjunction with the risk assessment. Our expertise in working with asbestos will save you time, provide peace of mind, and ensure the most cost effective solutions are found to meet the current regulations.