Asbestos Survey

The most effective way to ascertain the location and type of asbestos is to have an Asbestos Survey undertaken. There are various types of surveys, all of which can be carried out by Trenton Consultants. The most useful surveys will involve the taking of samples. The presence of asbestos can only be determined by analysis under laboratory conditions.

In order to comply with the "Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (CAWR)" the Duty holder must have available an Asbestos Register and Management Plan, this register will identify the presence or not of asbestos or asbestos containing materials, its type, its location, condition, any action taken in relation to the asbestos and any action to be taken for future works.

The important point regarding these regulations is that Regulation 4 requires the Duty holder to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises (the Duty holder is defined as every person who, by virtue of a contract or tenancy, has an obligation for repair or maintenance of those premises, or, in the absence of such, the control of those premises or access thereto or egress there from Regulation 20 sets the Standards for analysis; this states that the analysis of samples of materials to determine whether they contain asbestos may only be undertaken by a person accredited as complying with ISO 17025 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Asbestos related diseases account for over 3,500 deaths each year creating what is the UK's biggest cause of work related deaths according to the Health and Safety Executive. It is anticipated that this high number of deaths will continue for a number of years.