Asbestos: The survey guide - Redhills
Transcript of Asbestos: The survey guide - Redhills
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Health and Safety Executive
Asbestos: The survey guide
This is a free-to-download, web-friendly version of HSG264 (First edition, published 2010). This version has been adapted for online use from HSE’s current printed version.
Youcanbuythebookatwww.hsebooks.co.ukandmostgoodbookshops.
ISBN 978 0 7176 6385 9 Price £10.95
ThisheavilyillustratedpublicationreplacesandexpandsonMDHS100,Surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos-containing materials.Itisaimedatpeoplecarryingoutasbestossurveysandpeoplewithspecificresponsibilitiesformanagingasbestosinnon-domesticpremisesundertheControlofAsbestosRegulations2006.Thebookcoverscompetenceandqualityassuranceandsurveys,including:surveyplanning,carryingoutsurveys,thesurveyreportandthedutyholder’suseofthesurveyinformation.Itincludesextensiveappendicesandreferences.
HSE Books
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Health and Safety Executive
© Crown copyright 2010
Firstpublished2010
ISBN9780717663859
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise)withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightowner.
Applicationsforreproductionshouldbemadeinwritingto:TheOfficeofPublicSectorInformation,InformationPolicyTeam,Kew,Richmond,SurreyTW94DUore-mail:[email protected]
ThisguidanceisissuedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutive.Followingtheguidanceisnotcompulsoryandyouarefreetotakeotheraction.Butifyoudofollowtheguidanceyouwillnormallybedoingenoughtocomplywiththelaw.Healthandsafetyinspectorsseektosecurecompliancewiththelawandmayrefertothisguidanceasillustratinggoodpractice.
HSEwouldliketoacknowledgethecontributionsfromthefollowingindividualsandorganisationsinpreparingthisguidance:
ALcontrolOn-SiteServicesAsbestosControlandAbatementDivision(ACAD)AsbestosRemovalContractorsAssociation(ARCA)BillSanderson(BureauVeritasUKLtd)BritishInstituteofFacilityManagementBritishOccupationalHygieneSocietyJeanPrentice(McCroneConsultancyLLP)NottinghamshireCountyCouncilPeterIrvine(TetraConsulting)RoyalInstituteofCharteredSurveyorsUnitedKingdomAccreditationServiceWorkplaceEnvironmentSolutionsLtd
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ContentsHow to use this guidance 4
1 Introduction 6Legalrequirements 7Appointedperson 10Healthandsafetyissues 10
2 Competence and quality assurance procedures 11
3 Asbestos surveys 16Purpose 16PresumptionoridentificationofACMs 17Typesofsurvey 18Surveyrestrictionsandcaveats 21Surveystrategy 22
4 Survey planning 26Dutyholder’splanning 26Surveyor’splanningprocedure 27Step1:Collectalltherelevantinformationtoplanthesurvey 27Step2:Considertheinformation(desk-topstudy) 29Step3:Establishingandagreeingthesurveyplanandreporting 30Step4:Healthandsafetyplanandsurveyriskassessment 31
5 Carrying out the survey (surveying) 33Introduction 33Bulksamplingstrategy 35Bulksamplingprocedures 37Bulksampling 38Materialassessment 40
6 Survey report 42Executivesummary 42Introduction 42Generalsiteinformation 42Surveyresults 43Conclusionsandactions 45Bulkanalysisresults 45
7 Dutyholder’s use of survey information 47
Appendix 1: Refurbishment and demolition surveys 49
Appendix 2: ACMs in buildings listed in order of ease of fibre release 53
Appendix 3: What ACMs look like and where to find them 58
Appendix 4: Material assessment algorithm 68
Appendix 5: Example of a survey and sampling equipment checklist 69
Appendix 6: Quality assurance and quality control 70
References 72
Further Information 74
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How to use this guidanceGreensummaryboxes:Thispublicationhasspecificguidanceforclients/dutyholdersingreenboxes:
Box 1: Thepurposeofanasbestossurvey.
Box 3: Whattheclient/dutyholdershoulddotocheckthecompetencyofthesurveyor.
Box 4: Areastobeinspectedaspartofamanagementsurvey.
Box 6: Informationtheclient/dutyholdershouldexpectfromthesurveyor.
Box 9: Informationrequiredforamanagementsurvey.
Box 10:Informationrequiredforarefurbishmentordemolitionsurvey.
Box 11:Whattheclient/dutyholdershoulddotochecktheaccuracyofthesurveyreport.
Bluesummaryboxes:Thispublicationhasspecificguidanceforsurveyorsinblueboxes
Box 2:Surveykeypoints.
Box 5:Informationthesurveyorneedsfromtheclient.
Box 7:Informationtobecollectedbythesurveyor.
Box 8:Exampleofasystematicsurveyinspection.
Box 1: The purpose of an asbestos survey
■■ Tohelpmanageasbestosinyourpremises.■■ Toprovideaccurateinformationonthelocation,amountandconditionofasbestos-containingmaterials(ACMs).
■■ ToassessthelevelofdamageordeteriorationintheACMsandwhetherremedialactionisrequired.
■■ Tousethesurveyinformationtopreparearecordofthelocationofanyasbestos,commonlycalledanasbestosregister,*andanasbestosplanofthebuilding(s).
■■ TohelpidentifyalltheACMstoberemovedbeforerefurbishmentworkordemolition.
*Note:theinformationintheregistershouldbeusedtoinformtheriskassessment(egconsiderwhocoulddisturbasbestosonyourpremises),andtoestablishthemanagementplantopreventsuchadisturbance.
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Box 2: Survey key points
■■ Beawarethatthesurveyisessentialfortheclient/dutyholdertosuccessfullymanageasbestos.
■■ Allasbestosshouldbelocatedasfarasreasonablypracticablewithinthesurveytype.
■■ Ensurethattheappropriatesurveyisundertakenfortheclient’sneeds.■■ Avoidcaveats.■■ Ensurethesurveyisreportedinaformatthatcanbeusedtoprepareanasbestosregisterandbuildingplan.
■■ Informtheclientthatthesurveyisnottheendpointinmanagingasbestos.
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1 Introduction1 ThisguidancehasbeenpreparedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutive(withthehelpofothers,seeAcknowledgements)tohelppeoplecarryingoutasbestossurveysandthosewithspecificresponsibilitiesformanagingtherisksfromasbestosinnon-domesticpremisesunderregulation4oftheControlofAsbestosRegulations2006(CAR2006).1Itisalsodesignedtoprovideguidanceinsituationswheresurveysmaybecarriedoutforotherpurposes,egfor‘managing’asbestosindomesticpremisesunderwiderhealthandsafetylegislationandformeetingtherequirementsoftheConstruction(DesignandManagement)Regulations2007(CDM).2Itcomplementsandsupportsotherguidanceonmanagingasbestos.3-6
2 Largeamountsofasbestos-containingmaterials(ACMs)wereusedforawiderangeofconstructionpurposesinnewandrefurbishedbuildingsuntil1999whenalluseofasbestoswasbanned.ThisextensiveusemeansthattherearestillmanybuildingsinGreatBritainwhichcontainasbestos.Whereasbestosmaterialsareingoodconditionandunlikelytobedisturbedtheydonotpresentarisk.However,wherethematerialsareinpoorconditionoraredisturbedordamaged,asbestosfibresarereleasedintotheair,which,ifbreathedin,cancauseseriouslungdiseases,includingcancers.
3 Workerswhodisturbthefabricofbuildingsduringmaintenance,refurbishment,repair,installationandrelatedactivitiesmaybeexposedtoasbestoseverytimetheyunknowinglyworkonACMsorcarryoutworkwithouttakingthecorrectprecautions.Thepurposeofmanagingasbestosinbuildingsistopreventor,wherethisisnotreasonablypracticable,minimiseexposureforthesegroupsofworkersandotherpeopleinthepremises.Topreventthisexposure,informationisneededonwhetherasbestosis,orislikelytobe,presentinthebuildings,sothatanassessmentcanbemadeabouttheriskitpresentsandappropriatemeasuresputinplacetomanagethoserisks.
4 Thisguidanceisaimedat:
■■ Surveyors whocarryoutasbestossurveys.ItsetsouthowtosurveypremisesforACMs.Inparticular,itspecifiesthemethodologytouseincarryingoutsurveysandhowtoreportandpresenttheresults.ItalsogivesadviceonhowtorecogniseandsamplesuspectedACMs.Indoingso,theguidancebuildsonandupdatesMDHS100Surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos-containing materials,whichitreplaces.Italsocontainsaspecificsectionwhichoutlinesthesurveystrategytousewhensurveyinglargenumbersofsimilarproperties(egdomestichousing).
■■ Those who commission surveys (eg clients/dutyholders).Itsetsouthowtodecidewhattypeofsurveyisappropriate,howtoselectacompetentsurveyor,whattheclientshouldexpectfromasurveyorandwhattheclientshouldprovidetothesurveyor.Italsohighlightsissues(egrestrictedaccess,excludedareasandothercaveats)whichnotonlyreducetheeffectivenessofthesurvey,butalsohaveseriousimplicationsformanagingasbestos.Italsoexplainswhatchecksshouldbemadeonthesurveyreporttoensureitsvalidityandaccuracy(ie‘contractmanagement’).
5 Theguidancewillalsobeusefultobuildingprofessionals,suchasarchitects,designers,buildingsurveyorsandparticularlydemolitionandasbestosremovalcontractors.Forexample,architectsandbuildingsurveyorsneedtobeawareoftherequirementtocarryoutasbestosbuildingssurveys(andindeedcanadviseontheneedforanasbestossurveybeforerefurbishmentanddemolitionprojects).Theyshouldalsobeawareofthevarioustypesofsurveysandbeabletoreview
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completedsurveys.Contractorsneedtobeabletointerpretasbestossurveyssothatrefurbishmentordemolitioncanbeplannedandcarriedoutsafely.
6 Theguidancedoesnotcoverairbornesamplingorsurveyingcontaminatedland.Thesearespecialisedsubjectsoutsidethescopeofthisdocument.
Legal requirements The duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises* 7 Asbestos,acategory1humancarcinogen,issubjecttoaspecificsetofregulations,CAR2006.Theseregulationscoverworkwithasbestos,prohibitionsontheimportation,supplyanduseofasbestos,andlicensingofasbestos-removalactivities.Regulation4ofCAR2006containsanexplicitdutyontheownersandoccupiersofnon-domesticpremises,whohavemaintenanceandrepairresponsibilities,toassessandmanagetherisksfromthepresenceofasbestos(thedutyissummarisedinFigure1).Theriskswillvarywithcircumstancesandcanarisefromnormaloccupationofabuildingorfrominadvertentdisturbanceduringtherepair,refurbishmentanddemolitionofpremises.Theriskassessmentwillbeusedtoproduceamanagementplanwhichdetailsandrecordswhatactionstotaketomanageandreducetherisksfromasbestos.
8 Therequirementsareplacedon‘dutyholders’,whoshould:
■■ takereasonablestepstodeterminethelocationofmaterialslikelytocontainasbestos;
■■ presumematerialstocontainasbestos,unlesstherearegoodreasonsnottodoso;
■■ makeandmaintainawrittenrecordofthelocationoftheACMsandandpresumedACMs;
■■ assessandmonitortheconditionofACMsandpresumedACMs;■■ assesstheriskofexposurefromACMsandpresumedACMsandpreparea
writtenplanoftheactionsandmeasuresnecessarytomanagetherisk(iethe‘managementplan’);and
■■ takestepstoseethattheseactionsarecarriedout.
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RECORD:Prepare asbestos
register
Yes
Appoint personto ‘manage’ asbestos
Find out if ACMs present:Check plans/drawings
Carry out survey
Carry outrisk assessment
Prepare management plan
ManageRepair/remove
Monitor
Maintenance workDamaged ACMs
ACMs in good
condition
No
RecordRecord: Asbestos
register plan/drawing
No further action
Are ACMs liable to be disturbed?Who can be exposed?Prioritise
- Train staff- Manage contractors- Checked all work against plan/register- Control of work itself: - Asbestos essentials - Compliance with CAR
*Theterm‘premises’hasaspecificdefinitionunderhealthandsafetylegislationandincludesvehicles,vessels,aircraft,installationsonlandandoffshore,tentsandmoveablestructures.Whileinmostcasesthesurveywillonlybeneededonexistingbuildings(includingbasements,cellars,tunnels,undercroftsetc)andthesurroundingsite,theremaybesomesituationswheretherearehiddenundergroundstructuresorpipeswhichmayonlycometolightwhenrefurbishmentordemolitionworkistotakeplace.Theseshouldbeincludedinthesurveyasappropriate.
Figure 1Summaryofthemainstepsinmanagingasbestos
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9 TomanagetheriskfromACMs,thedutyholderwillneedto:
■■ keepandmaintainanup-to-daterecordofthelocation,condition,maintenanceandremovalofallACMsonthepremises;
■■ repair,sealorremoveACMsifthereisariskofexposureduetotheirconditionorlocation;
■■ maintainACMsinagoodstateofrepairandregularlymonitortheircondition;■■ informanyonewhoisliabletodisturbtheACMsabouttheirlocationand
condition;■■ havearrangementsandproceduresinplacesothatworkwhichmaydisturb
theACMscomplieswithCAR2006;and■■ reviewtheplanatregularintervalsandmakechangesifcircumstanceschange.
Management of asbestos in domestic premises10The‘dutytomanageasbestos’requirementsofregulation4ofCAR2006donotnormallyapplytodomesticpremises.However,therequirementsdoapplytocommonpartsofpremises,includinghousingdevelopmentsandblocksofflats,butdonotplaceanydirectdutiesonlandlordsforindividualhousesorflats.Examplesofcommonpartswouldincludefoyers,corridors,liftsandliftshafts,staircases,boilerhouses,verticalrisers,gardens,yardsandouthouses.Therequirementsdonotapplytoroomswithinaprivateresidencewhicharesharedbymorethanonehousehold,suchasbathrooms,kitchensetcinsharedhousesandcommunaldiningroomsandloungesinshelteredaccommodation.
11TheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974,7section2,requiresallemployerstoconducttheirworksotheiremployeeswillnotbeexposedtohealthandsafetyrisks,andtoprovideinformationtootherpeopleabouttheirworkplacewhichmightaffecttheirhealthandsafety.Section3placesdutiesonemployersandtheself-employedtowardspeoplenotintheiremploymentandsection4containsgeneraldutiesforanyonewhohascontrol,toanyextent,overaworkplace.Inaddition,theManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations19998requireemployerstoassessthehealthandsafetyriskstothirdparties,suchastenantswhomaybeaffectedbytheiractivities,andtomakeappropriatearrangementstoprotectthem.
12Theserequirementsmeanthatorganisationssuchaslocalauthorities,housingassociations,socialhousingmanagementcompaniesandotherswhoown,orareresponsiblefor,domesticproperties,havelegaldutiestoensurethehealthandsafetyoftheirstaff(andothers)indomesticpremisesusedasaplaceofwork.Asemployers,theorganisationsalsohavedutiesunderthegeneralrequirementsofCAR2006toidentifyasbestos,carryoutariskassessmentofworkliabletoexposeemployeestoasbestosandprepareasuitablewrittenplanofwork.
Construction work13CDMrequiresarrangementstobeinplacetodealwithasbestosduringconstructionwork,includingrefurbishmentanddemolition.Whereconstructionorbuildingworkistobecarriedout,theCDMclientmustprovidedesignersandcontractorswhoarebiddingforthework(orwhotheyintendtoengage)withproject-specificinformationaboutthepresenceofasbestos,sothattherisksassociatedwithdesignandconstructionwork,includingdemolition,canbeaddressed.Itisnotacceptabletomakegeneralreferencetohazardsthatmayexist.Thereforesite-specificasbestossurveysshouldbecarriedoutinadvanceofconstructionworktomakesurethattheinformationisavailabletothosewhoneedit.
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Appointed person
14TohelpcomplywiththelegalrequirementsandtoensurethatACMsinpremisesareproperlymanaged,dutyholdersshouldidentifyaperson(andinsomecasesadeputy)withintheirorganisationwhowillberesponsibleforthatmanagement.Anappointedpersonwillbeessentialwherethedutyholderhasalargeorcomplexbuildingportfolio.Theappointedpersonwillneedtheresources,skills,trainingandauthoritytoensurethattheACMsaremanagedeffectively.Partoftheirresponsibilitieswillincludemanagingthesurvey,includingcontractualandreportingarrangements,qualityandsubsequentuseofthedata.
15Thesurveydataandinformationwillbeusedtocompleteanasbestosregisterandbuildingdiagram(s)showingtheACMlocations.Itwillalsofeedintotheriskassessment,whichwillbeusedtodevelopthemanagementplan.Thedutyholderneedstoestablishclearlinesofresponsibilityforasbestosmanagementandimplementationoftheplan.
Health and safety issues
16SurveyingandsamplingACMscangiverisetoexposuretoasbestos.TheseworkactivitiesarecoveredbythemoregeneralrequirementsofCAR2006.Theregulationsrequireemployerstocarryoutariskassessment(regulation6)andprepareaplanofwork(regulation7),settingoutthecontrolmeasuresandpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)tobeused.Theregulationsalsorequirethatadequateinformation,instructionandtraining(includingrefreshertraining)(regulation10)aregiventothesamplingpersonnel.Trainingshouldmeettherequirementsfornon-licensableasbestosworkassetoutintheApprovedCodeofPractice,Work with materials containing asbestos.SamplingACMsis,however,exemptfromtheregulationscoveringlicensing(regulation8),notificationofworkwithasbestos(regulation9)andhealthsurveillance(regulation22)byvirtueofregulation3(2),astheexposureissporadicandlowintensityandisunlikelytoexceedthecontrollimit.Otherhazardsmayalsobepresent,suchasworkingatheightsandelectricalcables.Ariskassessmentwillneedtobecarriedoutbeforestartingworkonsite(seeparagraphs83-87).Itshouldincludeanysafetyaspectsandrecordanysafetyprotocoltobeobservedonsiteaswellasfirealarmandevacuationprocedures.
Asbestos surveying and sampling is likely to be ‘work’ with asbestos and therefore will require a risk assessment and a plan of work (method statement) under CAR 2006. Some activities may also involve physical work with asbestos (eg moving asbestos insulating board (AIB) ceiling tiles) and will require similar consideration.
Some direct work on asbestos to support the survey may have to be carried out by a licensed asbestos contractor (see Appendix 1, paragraphs 6 and 7).
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2 Competence and quality assurance procedures17Surveyscanbecarriedoutbyin-housepersonnelorathirdparty.Ineachcasethesurveyormustbecompetenttocarryouttheworkrequired.Tobecompetent,the‘surveyor’must:
■■ havesufficienttraining,qualifications,knowledge,experienceandabilitytocarryouttheirdutiesinrelationtothesurveyandtorecognisetheirlimitations;
■■ havesufficientknowledgeofthespecifictaskstobeundertakenandtheriskswhichtheworkwillentail;
■■ beabletodemonstrateindependence,impartialityandintegrity;■■ haveanadequatequalitymanagementsystem;and■■ carryoutthesurveyinaccordancewithrecommendedguidance(iethis
publication).
HSE strongly recommends the use of accredited or certificated surveyors for asbestos surveys.
The dutyholder should not appoint or instruct an independent surveyor to carry out a survey unless the surveyor is competent.
18Surveyorsshouldhavetrainingandexperienceinallaspectsofsurveyworkincludingsurveyplanning,resources,technicalspecification,qualitycontrolandACMassessmentcriteria.
19Theasbestossurveyorneedsknowledgeofasbestosproducts(egtheirnature,uses,hazards,samplingtechniquesetc)andalsoknowledgeofbuildingconstruction,constructionmethods,fireprotectionandthevarioususesofbuildings.Surveyorsshouldbeawareofthedifferentformsofbuildingconstruction(egsystembuild,traditional,industrialetc)andhowconstructiontechniquesaffectasbestosuse.SurveyorsshouldalsohaveknowledgeoftheuseofACMsinfireprotectionsystemsandtheeffectofbuildingservicesonthedistributionandlocationofACMs.Forexample:
■■ fireprotectioninsteel-framedbuildingsaroundcolumnsandbeams;■■ fireprotectionaroundelectricalandheatingsystems;■■ fireprotectionseparatingmulti-occupancybuildings;■■ fireprotectioninliftshaftsandrisers;■■ buildingservicesinvoids,plenums,ducts,cavities,undercroftsandrisers.
20Surveyorsshouldbeawareoftherangeofbuildingcomponentsandstructureswhichcontainasbestos(egbargeboards,chimneycowls,ducts,eaves,fascias,firedampers,flueterminalsandrisers,gables,plenums,soffits,studpartitions,sandwichpartitionsetc).
21Knowledgeofbuildingconstructiontechniquesanddesignisparticularlyrelevantforrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveys,tounderstandwhere(andwhy)ACMsmayhavebeenusedinastructure.SurveyorsshouldalsobeawarethattherearemanyunrecordedadhocusesofACMsinbuildings.SomeusesarosesimplyfromtheconvenientpresenceofACMsasbuildingandengineeringmaterials.AIBpanelsandoffcuts,forexample,wereusedextensively,randomlyandimaginativelyasshutteringforconcrete,packersaroundcolumns,spacers
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aroundwindowanddoorframes,andcavityclosers.OtherACMsmayhavecausedcontaminationinbuildingsfromthewaytheywereapplied,poorworkpracticesorlaterdisturbance,producingforexample:
■■ oversprayandspreadofdustfromsprayedcoatings;■■ residuesfromthermalinsulationonbrickworkandinducts;■■ debrisfromAIBfirebreaksinceilingvoidsandalsoincavitywalls.
TheseACMsareoftenhiddenandunrecordedinbuildingplans.
22Surveythoroughnessisimportant.SimpleandobviousACMsaresometimesmissed,aswellasthosewhicharehiddenorobscured.Thesurveyshouldbeperformedinastructured,methodicalandsystematicmanner.TheuseofchecklistsandastructuredapproachtothesurveyprocesswillminimisetheriskofACMsbeingmissed(seeBox8).Adequatetimemustbeallowedforthesurveyinspectiontobedoneeffectively.
The dutyholder must ensure that adequate time and resources are made available to the surveyor(s) to allow a thorough survey to be carried out.
23OrganisationscandemonstratethattheyaretechnicallycompetenttoundertakesurveysforACMsthroughaccreditationtoISO/IEC17020.9TheUnitedKingdomAccreditationService(UKAS)isthesolenationalaccreditationbodyintheUnitedKingdom(UKAS,21–47HighStreet,Feltham,MiddlesexTW134UNTel:02089178400www.ukas.com).Accreditationgivesanassurancethatanindependentandauthoritativebodyhasassessedthetechnicalcompetenceofanorganisation,includingitsunderpinningmanagementsystem.Theschemeshouldensurethattheorganisationcanprovideavalidservicefortheservicesspecifiedonitsscheduleofaccreditation.
24Individualsurveyorscanalsodemonstratethattheyaretechnicallycompetenttoundertakespecifiedsurveysthroughholding‘personnel’certificationfromaCertificationBodyaccreditedbyUKASforthisactivityunderISO/IEC17024.10Personnelcertificationprovidesassurancethatanindividualhasachievedadefinedlevelofcompetencetocarryoutspecificactivities.Currentlythereisoneaccreditedscheme:‘ABICS’(AsbestosBuildingInspectorsCertificationScheme)whichisoperatedbytheFacultyofOccupationalHygiene,partoftheBritishOccupationalHygieneSociety(BOHS)(seewww.abics.org)(BOHS,5/6MelbourneBusinessCourt,MillenniumWay,PridePark,DerbyDE248LZ,Tel:01332298101www.bohs.org).Anumberofpeoplehavealsobeencertificatedunderapreviousscheme‘NIACS’(NationalIndividualAsbestosCertificationScheme).CertificatedsurveyorsshouldalsoworkwithinageneralQualityAssuranceframeworkprovidedbyISO/IEC17020(orISO900111asaminimum).
Accreditation and personnel certification are both valid schemes for demonstrating competence in performing asbestos surveys. The schemes are designed for different market segments and have different emphasis. Both will ensure that surveys are carried out by competent people. Accreditation is suitable for organisations of all sizes where the scale and volume of surveying work dictates not only individual competence but also the need for more formal and well-defined quality management systems.
Personnel certification is designed for individuals who may operate as sole traders or in organisations with only a few surveyors. The scheme focuses on individual competence.
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25Individualswithoutpersonnelcertificationmaybeabletodemonstratethattheyhavesufficientcompetencytoundertakespecifiedsurveysthroughacombinationofqualificationsandexperience.Inthissituation,experience(ieextentandrange)isparticularlyimportant.ThemostwidelyheldtrainingqualificationintheUKistheBOHSProficiencyModuleP402:‘Buildingssurveysandbulksamplingforasbestos’(otherproficiencycoursesmaybeavailablefromothertrainingorganisations).TheP402isabasicminimumqualificationforindividualscarryingoutasbestossurveysandonitsownitdoesnotdemonstratecompetency.Therefore,inaddition,individualsmustalsohaveatleastsixmonths’full-time,relevant,practicalfieldexperienceonasbestossurveysunderthesupervisionofexperiencedandsuitablyqualifiedpersonnel.Theexperienceshouldcoverthepropertysectorsincludingindustrial,commercialanddomestic,andshouldcovermanagementsurveysandrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveys,asappropriate.Traineeswillbeabletodemonstrateacertainlevelofcompetencethroughauditorassessmentonanappropriatenumberofsurveys(egatleastfive)beforetheycanbeallowedtooperateastheleadsurveyor.26Furthertrainingandexperiencewillbenecessarytoensurecompetenceinrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysparticularlyforlargepremises.Trainingshouldcover,forexample,thepotentialadditionallocationstobeinspected,accesstechniquesintocavities,wallsandpartitions,sandwichpartitionsetc.TheProficiencyModuleP402canbesupplementedwithtworefreshermodules,P402R,relatingtomanagementsurveys,andrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysrespectively.Thesemodulescanbeausefulwayofprovidingongoingannualrefreshertraining,aswellastheopportunitytoexchangeinformationandexperiencewithothers(asrequiredinISO/IEC17020).
The P402 qualification on its own does not demonstrate competency. Individuals must have at least six months’ full-time, relevant, practical field experience on asbestos surveys under the supervision of experienced and suitably qualified personnel.
27TheBOHSS301course(‘Asbestosandotherfibres’)isalsoarelevantstartingqualification,butagainonitsowndoesnotdemonstrateanindividual’scompetence.However,individualscanthenobtainaCertificateofCompetenceinAsbestos(CoCA)fromBOHSafterobtainingtheS301,bycompletingsixmonths’practicalexperienceinasbestos,successfullysubmittingawrittenreport(egonasbestossurveys)andpassinganoralexam.Thequalificationmuststillbesupplementedbyadequatesupervisedfieldexperience.
28Personnelmayalsoholdanotherqualificationinsurveying:theRoyalSocietyforPublicHealth(RSPH)Level3Certificateinasbestosinspectionprocedures.ThisqualificationwasdevelopedaspartofapersonnelcertificationschemeandisstillavailableontheRSPHwebsite(www.rsph.org.uk).Thequalificationalonedoesnotdemonstratecompetency.Candidateswillalsoneedatleastsixmonths’supervisedandauditedpracticalexperience,asoutlinedfortheP402qualification(seeparagraph25).
29Allsurveyingorganisationsshouldhaveaqualitymanagementsystem(iequalityassuranceandqualitycontrolschemes)inplacetoensurethehigheststandards.Theseschemesshouldbewrittenandshouldincludeaminimumofthesethreecomponentparts:
■■ Aproportionofsurveysbeingre-inspectedbyanothercompetentsurveyor/auditor,usuallywhilethesurveyisinprogress.Allaspectsofthesitework(safetyassessments,inspectionprocedures,sampling,documentation,materialriskassessmentsetc)shouldbechecked.Itisrecommendedthatabout5%of
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surveysarereinspected(BS6002:2006).12■■ Allthemanagementproceduresandsystemsofasurveyingorganisation
shouldbequalityassuredbycarryingoutauditsofcompletedsurveys.Thiswouldnormallybeadesk-topaudit.
■■ Thereshouldalsobeaqualitycontrolschemeforsurveyreports.Allreportsshouldbecheckedbeforebeingissuedtoclients.Simplebutthoroughchecksshouldbemadethattheclient’srequirementshavebeenmet,aswellaschecksontheconsistency,technicalaccuracyandcompletenessofthereport.
30MoredetailsofaqualitymanagementsystemaregiveninAppendix6.
31LaboratorieswhocarryoutbulkanalysisforasbestosmustdemonstratethattheyconformtotherequirementsofISO/IEC1702513and,iftheyprovidethisserviceforathirdparty,mustbeaccreditedbyarecognisedaccreditationbody,ieUKAS.Thelaboratoryshouldbeabletodemonstrateitscompetencetocarryoutbulkasbestosanalysisthrough:
■■ stafftrainingrecords;■■ certificatesfromexternaltrainingproviders;■■ participationinqualityassuranceschemes;■■ internalproficiencytestingprogrammes;■■ satisfactoryperformanceinnationalproficiencytestingprogrammes;■■ replicateanalysischecksofaproportionoftheroutinesamples.32TheAsbestosinMaterialsScheme(AIMS)istheUKnationalproficiencytestingprogrammeforbulkasbestosanalysis.Individualanalystsshouldalsodemonstratecompetencythroughtrainingrecordsandsatisfactoryperformanceinaninternalqualityassurancescheme.
33Itistheresponsibilityofanyoneusingalaboratoryfortheanalysisofsamplesforasbestostomakesurethelabholdsthenecessaryaccreditation(detailscanbeobtainedfromtheUKASwebsite:www.ukas.com).
34Samplesorrepresentativesub-samplesshouldbekeptforatleastsixmonthsafteranalysistoallowcheckstobemade.Samplesassociatedwithalegaldisputeorclaimmayneedtobekeptforlonger.
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Box 3: What the client/dutyholder should do to check the competency of the surveyor
Thedutyholdershouldbesatisfiedthatthesurveyoriscompetenttocarryouttheworkrequired.
Thismeansthatthedutyholdershouldmakereasonableenquiriesastowhethertheorganisationorindividualistechnicallycompetenttocarryoutthesurveyadequatelyandsafely,andcanallocateadequateresourcestoit.Thecompetencyenquiryshouldbecarriedoutasatwo-stageprocess:
■■ Stage 1:Anassessmentoftheindividual’sorcompany’ssurveyexpertiseandalso,theirknowledgeofhealthandsafety,todeterminewhetherthesearesufficienttoenablethemtocarryoutthesurveycompetently,safelyandwithoutrisktohealth.
■■ Stage 2:Anassessmentoftheindividual’sorcompany’sexperienceandtrackrecordtoestablishifitiscapableofdoingtheworkandthatitrecognisesitslimitations.
Stage 1: Establishtheaccreditationorcertificationstatusofthesurveyorandanyrelevantasbestossurveyqualifications(seeparagraphs23–28).Obtainawrittendeclarationwhichstatesthatthesurveyorcanoperatewithindependence,impartialityandintegrityandthatpersonnelcarryingouttheworkareadequatelytrainedforallaspectsoftheworktakingplace.Inaddition,obtaincopiesofthecurrentinsurancecertificatesforemployer’sliability,publicliabilityandprofessionalindemnitycoverandcheckthemtoseethattheycovertheproposedwork.
Stage 2:Obtaininformationonthesurveyors’pastexperienceonthetypeofsurveyplannedandtheircapabilitytodothework.Referencesorevidenceofrecentsimilarworkshouldberequested.
Ifacompanyorsurveyorcannotdemonstratecompetencethroughcurrentaccreditationorpersonnelcertification,thedutyholderwillneedtoconductamoredetailedassessmentoftheircompetencetodothework.Thiswillincluderequesting:detailsoftheirqualifications,copiesoftheirwrittenprocedures(includingqualitycontrolpolicies)andreferencestootherevidenceofrecentsimilarwork.
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3 Asbestos surveysPurpose
35Thepurposeofthesurveyistohelpmanageasbestosinthedutyholder’spremises.Thesurveyhastoprovidesufficientinformationfor:anasbestosregisterandplantobeprepared,asuitableriskassessmenttobecarriedoutandawrittenplantomanagetheriskstobeproduced.TheprocessisshownschematicallyinFigure2.
SURVEY
Asbestos registerplan/drawing
Refurbishment ordemolition survey
Management survey
Management plan
Risk assessment
Figure 2Schematicdiagramshowingthelinkbetweentheasbestossurveyandthemanagementplan
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36Inmostcasesthesurveywillhavethreemainaims:
■■ itmustasfarasreasonablypracticablelocateandrecordthelocation,extentandproducttypeofanypresumedorknownACMs;
■■ itmustinspectandrecordinformationontheaccessibility,condition*andsurfacetreatmentofanypresumedorknownACMs;
■■ itshoulddetermineandrecordtheasbestostype,eitherbycollectingrepresentativesamplesofsuspectmaterialsforlaboratoryidentification,orbymakingapresumptionbasedontheproducttypeanditsappearanceetc.
Presumption or identification of ACMs
37 ThedutytomanagerequirementinCAR2006regulation4allowsmaterialstobe‘presumed’tocontainasbestos.Thereforeintheasbestossurvey,materialscanbepresumedtocontainasbestos.Therearetwolevelsof‘presumption’:
1 Strong presumption:inthiscasethemateriallooksasifitisanACM,orthatitmightcontainasbestos.Thisconclusioncanbereachedthroughvisualinspectionalonebyanexperienced,well-trainedsurveyor,familiarwiththerangeofasbestosproducts.Examplesof‘strongpresumption’wouldbe:■■ wherelaboratoryanalysishasconfirmedthepresenceofasbestosinasimilar
constructionmaterial;■■ materialsinwhichasbestosisknowntohavebeencommonlyusedinthe
manufacturedproductatthetimeofinstallation(egcorrugatedcementroofandwallsheeting,cementguttersanddrainpipes,cementwatertanks,ceilingtiles,insulatingboards);
■■ materialswhichhavetheappearanceofasbestosbutnosamplehasbeentaken,egthermalinsulationonapipewherefibresareclearlyvisible.
2 A ‘default’ situationwhereamaterialispresumedtocontainasbestosbecausethereisinsufficientevidence(egnoanalysis)toconfirmthatitisasbestosfree,orwhereadutyholder/surveyordecidesthatitiseasierundertheplannedmanagementarrangementstopresumecertainmaterialscontainasbestos.Manynon-asbestosmaterialswillalsobepresumedtocontainasbestosusingthissystem.Thereisafurtherdefaultsituationwherematerialsmustbepresumedtocontainasbestos.Thedefaultappliestoareaswhichcannotbeaccessedorinspected.Inthissituationany area not accessed or inspected must be presumed to contain asbestos, unless there is strong evidence that it does not.
*Theexceptionisrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveyswhereinformationontheconditionoftheasbestosisusuallynotrequired(seeparagraph52),astheACMwillberemovedsoonafterthesurvey.However,incircumstanceswheretheremovalwillnottakeplaceforsometimeafterthesurvey(egmorethanthreemonths),theACMswillhavetobemanagedduringthisperiod.Inthissituation,theconditionoftheACMsshouldalsobedeterminedandremedialactiontakenasappropriate(seeparagraphs124and130).
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38Materialscannotbepresumedtobeasbestosfree(iecontainnoasbestos)unlessthereisstrongevidencetoconcludethattheyarehighlyunlikelytocontainasbestos.Thereareobviousmaterialswhicharenotasbestos,egwood,glass,metal,stoneetc.Therearealsomanyexamplesofasbestosbeingpresentinsidematerials,egasandwichlayerinsidedoors,insidecolumnsorundercolumncasings,onthe‘hidden’sideofitems,egwoodpanelling,ceilingtiles,underveneers.Reasonstoconcludethatamaterialdoesnotcontainasbestoswouldbe:
■■ non-asbestossubstitutematerialswerespecifiedintheoriginalarchitect’s/quantitysurveyor’splansorinsubsequentrefurbishments;
■■ theproductwasveryunlikelytocontainasbestosorhaveasbestosadded(egwallpaper,plasterboardetc);
■■ post-1985construction(foramphiboleACMssuchasasbestosinsulatingboard,seeAppendix1);
■■ post-1990constructionfordecorativetexturedcoatings(formulationscontainingasbestoswereprohibitedin1988andsomesuppliersvoluntarilyceasedusingasbestosin1984);
■■ post-1999construction(somechrysotileproductswereprohibitedin1993andnearlyallwereprohibitedin1999).
39ItisnotalwaysstraightforwardtoconcludethatACMsareabsent.Theregulationsrequirethatreasonablestepsaretaken.WhileoriginalspecificationsmaynothaveincludedACMsincertainbuildinglocations,workersmayhaveusedthemfortheirconvenience.Forexample,workonbuildingsystems(egCLASPsystems14hasshownthatACMs,egasbestosinsulatingboard(AIB)off-cutswereusedasfiller/packingandsupportitemsinplaceswheretheirpresencewasnotrecorded.Therearealsomanyexamplesofpoorremovalpracticeleavingasbestos-containingdebrisandresidues.Thereforeareaswhereasbestoshasbeenremovedpreviouslywillneedtobereinspectedaspartofthesurvey.
Areas where asbestos has been removed previously will need to be reinspected.
Types of survey
40Thisdocumentdescribestwodifferenttypesofsurvey:management surveysandrefurbishmentanddemolition surveys.
41Thetypeofsurveywillvaryduringthelifespanofthepremisesandseveralmaybeneededovertime.AmanagementsurveywillberequiredduringthenormaloccupationanduseofthebuildingtoensurecontinuedmanagementoftheACMsinsitu.Arefurbishmentordemolitionsurveywillbenecessarywhenthebuilding(orpartofit)istobeupgraded,refurbishedordemolished.Itisprobablethatatlargerpremisesamixtureofsurveytypeswillbeappropriate,egaboilerhouseduefordemolitionwillrequirearefurbishment/demolitionsurvey,whileofficesatthesamesitewouldhaveamanagementsurvey.Inlateryearsrefurbishmentsurveysmayberequiredinroomsorfloorswhicharebeingupgraded.Insectorswheretherearelargenumbersofproperties(egdomestichouses)orinternalunits(eghotels),onlyparticularroomsmaybespecifiedforupgrading,egkitchens,bathroomsandbedrooms.Refurbishmentsurveyswouldonlybenecessaryintheselocations.
42Itisimportantthattheclientandthesurveyorknowexactlywhattypeofsurveyistobecarriedoutandwhere,andwhatthespecificationwillbe.Sothereshouldbeaclearstatementandrecordofthetypeofsurveythatistobecarriedout,includingthereasonsforselectingthattypeofsurvey,andwhereitistobecarriedout.
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Management survey43Amanagementsurveyisthestandardsurvey.Itspurposeistolocate,asfarasreasonablypracticable,thepresenceandextentofanysuspectACMsinthebuildingwhichcouldbedamagedordisturbedduringnormaloccupancy,includingforeseeablemaintenanceandinstallation,andtoassesstheircondition.
44Managementsurveyswillofteninvolveminorintrusiveworkandsomedisturbance.Theextentofintrusionwillvarybetweenpremisesanddependonwhatisreasonablypracticableforindividualproperties,ieitwilldependonfactorssuchasthetypeofbuilding,thenatureofconstruction,accessibilityetc.AmanagementsurveyshouldincludeanassessmentoftheconditionofthevariousACMsandtheirabilitytoreleasefibresintotheairiftheyaredisturbedinsomeway.This‘materialassessment’(seeparagraphs124–127)willgiveagoodinitialguidetothepriorityformanagingACMsasitwillidentifythematerialswhichwillmostreadilyreleaseairbornefibresiftheyaredisturbed.
45ThesurveywillusuallyinvolvesamplingandanalysistoconfirmthepresenceorabsenceofACMs.Howeveramanagementsurveycanalsoinvolvepresumingthepresenceorabsenceofasbestos.AmanagementsurveycanbecompletedusingacombinationofsamplingACMsandpresumingACMsor,indeed,justpresuming.Anymaterialspresumedtocontainasbestosmustalsohavetheirconditionassessed(ieamaterialassessment).
Management surveys can involve a combination of sampling to confirm asbestos is present or presuming asbestos to be present.
46Bypresumingthepresenceofasbestos,theneedforsamplingandanalysiscanbedeferreduntilalatertime(egbeforeanyworkiscarriedout).Howeverthisapproachhasimplicationsforthemanagementarrangements.Thedutyholderbearspotentialadditionalcostsofmanagementforsomenon-ACMs.Anyworkcarriedouton‘presumed’materialswouldneedtoinvolveappropriatecontractorsandworkmethodsincompliancewithCAR2006irrespectiveofwhetherthematerialwasactuallyanACMornot.Alternatively,beforeanyworkstarts,samplingandanalysiscanbeundertakentoconfirmorrefutethepresenceofasbestos.Theresultswilldeterminetheworkmethodsandcontractorstobeused.The‘presumption’approachhasseveraldisadvantages:itislessrigorous,itcanleadtoconstantobstructionsanddelaysbeforeworkcanstart,anditismoredifficulttocontrol,seeA comprehensive guide to managing asbestos in premises.‘Default’presumptionsmayalsoleadtounnecessaryremovalofnon-ACMsandtheirdisposalasasbestoswaste.Defaultpresumptionsmaybesuitableinsomeinstances,eg‘small’orsimplepremises,aspartofaclient’smanagementarrangements.
47SurveyorsshouldalwaysendeavourtopositivelyidentifyACMs.AsufficientnumberofsamplesshouldbetakentoconfirmthelocationandextentofACMs.ItislegitimatetoreducesamplenumberswherematerialscanbestronglypresumedtobeACMs.Howeverthedefaultpresumptionoptionshouldbeavoidedwherepossible,asitcanmakemanagingasbestosmoredifficultforthedutyholder.Defaultpresumptionshouldonlybeusedincircumstanceswhereitisrequestedbytheclientand/orwhereaccessgenuinelycannotbeobtained.
48Whensamplingiscarriedoutaspartofamanagementsurvey,samplesfromeachtypeofsuspectACMshouldbecollectedandanalysed.Ifthematerialsampledisfoundtocontainasbestos,othersimilarmaterialsusedinthesamewayinthebuildingcanbestronglypresumedtocontainasbestos.Lesshomogeneousmaterials(egdifferentsurfaces/coating,evidenceofrepairetc)willrequireagreaternumberofsamples.Thesamplenumbershouldbesufficienttoestablishwhether
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asbestosispresentornotintheparticularmaterial.Samplingmaytakeplacesimultaneouslywiththesurvey,orasinthecaseofsomelargersurveys,canbecarriedoutlaterasaseparateexercise.
49Allareasshouldbeaccessedandinspectedasfarasisreasonablypracticable.Areasshouldincludeunderfloorcoverings,abovefalseceilings,andinsiderisers,serviceducts,liftshaftsetc(seeBox4).Surveying may also involve some minor intrusive work,suchasaccessingbehindfasciaandpanelsandothersurfacesorsuperficialmaterials.Theextentofintrusionwilldependonthedegreeofdisturbancethatisorwillbenecessaryforforeseeablemaintenanceandrelatedactivities,includingtheinstallationofnewequipment/cabling.Surveyorsshouldcomepreparedtoaccesssuchareas(iewiththecorrectequipmentetc).Managementsurveysareonlylikelytoinvolvetheuseofsimpletoolssuchasscrewdriversandchisels.Anyareasnotaccessedmustbepresumedtocontainasbestos.Theareasnotaccessedandpresumedtocontainasbestosmustbeclearlystatedinthesurveyreportandwillhavetobemanagedonthisbasis(seeparagraph46),iemaintenanceorotherdisturbanceworkshouldnotbecarriedoutintheseareasuntilfurtherchecksaremade.
Box 4: Areas to be inspected as part of a management survey
AllACMsshouldbeidentifiedasfarasisreasonablypracticable.Theareasinspectedshouldinclude:underfloorcoverings,abovefalseceilings(ceilingvoids),lofts,insiderisers,serviceductsandliftshafts,basements,cellars,undergroundrooms,undercrofts(thislistisnotexhaustive).
50Managementsurveysshouldcoverroutineandsimplemaintenancework.Howeverithastoberecognisedthatwhere‘moreextensive’maintenanceorrepairworkisinvolved,theremaynotbesufficientinformationinthemanagementsurveyandalocalisedrefurbishmentsurveywillbeneeded.Arefurbishmentsurveywillberequiredforallworkwhichdisturbsthefabricofthebuildinginareaswherethemanagementsurveyhasnotbeenintrusive.Thedecisionontheneedforarefurbishmentsurveyshouldbemadebythedutyholder(probablywithhelpfromothers).
Refurbishment surveys will be required for all work which disturbs the fabric of the building in areas where the management survey has not been intrusive.
The dutyholder will need to make the decision but probably with help from others.
Refurbishment and demolition surveys51Arefurbishment and demolition surveyisneededbeforeanyrefurbishmentordemolitionworkiscarriedout.Thistypeofsurveyisusedtolocateanddescribe,asfarasreasonablypracticable,allACMsintheareawheretherefurbishmentworkwilltakeplaceorinthewholebuildingifdemolitionisplanned.Thesurveywillbefullyintrusiveandinvolvedestructiveinspection,asnecessary,togainaccesstoallareas,includingthosethatmaybedifficulttoreach.Arefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveymayalsoberequiredinothercircumstances,egwhenmoreintrusivemaintenanceandrepairworkwillbecarriedoutorforplantremovalordismantling.
52ThereisaspecificrequirementinCAR2006(regulation7)forallACMstoberemovedasfarasreasonablypracticablebeforemajorrefurbishmentorfinaldemolition.RemovingACMsisalsoappropriateinothersmallerrefurbishment
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situationswhichinvolvestructuralorlayoutchangestobuildings(egremovalofpartitions,walls,unitsetc).UnderCDM,thesurveyinformationshouldbeusedtohelpinthetenderingprocessforremovalofACMsfromthebuildingbeforeworkstarts.Thesurveyreportshouldbesuppliedbytheclienttodesignersandcontractorswhomaybebiddingforthework,sothattheasbestosriskscanbeaddressed.Inthistypeofsurvey,wheretheasbestosisidentifiedsothatitcanberemoved(ratherthanto‘manage’it),thesurveydoesnotnormallyassesstheconditionoftheasbestos,otherthantoindicateareasofdamageorwhereadditionalasbestosdebrismaybepresent.However,wheretheasbestosremovalmaynottakeplaceforsometime,theACMs’conditionwillneedtobeassessedandthematerialsmanaged(seeparagraph124).
53 Refurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysareintendedtolocatealltheasbestosinthebuilding(ortherelevantpart),asfarasreasonablypracticable.Itisadisruptiveandfullyintrusivesurveywhichmayneedtopenetrateallpartsofthebuildingstructure.Aggressiveinspectiontechniqueswillbeneededtoliftcarpetsandtiles,breakthroughwalls,ceilings,claddingandpartitions,andopenupfloors.Inthesesituations,controlsshouldbeputinplacetopreventthespreadofdebris,whichmayincludeasbestos.Refurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysshouldonlybeconductedinunoccupiedareastominimiseriskstothepublicoremployeesonthepremises.Ideally,thebuildingshouldnotbeinserviceandallfurnishingsremoved.Forminorrefurbishment,thiswouldonlyapplytotheroominvolvedorevenpartoftheroomwheretheworkissmallandtheroomlarge.Inthesesituations,thereshouldbeeffectiveisolationofthesurveyarea(egfullfloortoceilingpartition),andfurnishingsshouldberemovedasfaraspossibleorprotectedusingsheeting.The‘surveyed’areamustbeshowntobefitforreoccupationbeforepeoplemovebackin.Thiswillrequireathoroughvisualinspectionand,ifappropriate(egwheretherehasbeensignificantdestruction),reassuranceairsamplingwithdisturbance.Undernocircumstancesshouldstaffremaininroomsorareasofbuildingswhenintrusivesamplingisperformed.
54Theremaybesomecircumstanceswherethebuildingisstill‘occupied’(ieinuse)atthetimea‘demolition’surveyiscarriedout.Forexampleintheeducationalsector,refurbishment/demolitionsurveysmaybeconductedinschoolsorcollegesduringoneclosureperiod(egholidays)andtheworknotundertakenuntilthenextholidayperiod.Also,ademolitionsurveymaybeconductedtoestablishtheeconomicfutureorviabilityofabuilding(s).Thesurveyresultswoulddeterminetheoutcome.Insuchsituations,the‘survey’willneedextremelycarefulmanagingwithpersonnelandequipment/furnishingsbeingdecantedandprotected(asnecessary),whilethesurveyprogressesthroughthebuilding.Again,thereshouldbeeffectiveisolationofthesurveyareasandthe‘surveyed’areamustbeshowntobefitforreoccupationbeforepersonnelreoccupy(seeparagraph53).
Survey restrictions and caveats
55Thevalueandusefulnessofthesurveycanbeseriouslyunderminedwhereeithertheclientorthesurveyorimposesrestrictionsonthesurveyscopeoronthetechniques/methodusedbythesurveyor.InformationonthelocationofallACMs,asfarasreasonablypracticable,iscrucialtotheriskassessmentanddevelopmentofthemanagementplan.AnyrestrictionsplacedonthesurveyscopewillreducetheextenttowhichACMsarelocatedandidentified,incurdelaysandconsequentlymakemanagingasbestosmorecomplex,expensiveandpotentiallylesseffective.
56Inmanagementsurveys,surveyorsshouldbeproperlypreparedforaccessingallreasonablypracticableareasinallpartsofthebuilding(seeBox4).Potentiallydifficulttoenterareas(includinglockedroomsetc)shouldbeidentifiedintheplanningstagewiththedutyholderandarrangementsmadeforaccess(egMEWPs
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forworkatheight,roomsunlocked,doors/corridorsunblockedetc).Insituationswherethereisnoentryonthedayofthesurvey,arevisitshouldbemadewhenaccesswillbepossible.Wheretherearehealthandsafetyrisksassociatedwithsomeactivities(egheight,confinedspaces),theseshouldbeadequatelyassessedandarrangementsmadetocontrolthem(seeparagraphs83–91).Anyareanotaccessed(andwherenootherinformationexists)mustbepresumedtocontainasbestosandbemanagedonthatbasis.
57Inrefurbishmentsurveys,theareaandscopeoftheworkwillneedtobeagreedbetweenthedutyholderandthesurveyor.Inthesesurveysandindemolitionsurveysthereshouldbenorestrictionsonaccessunlessthesiteisunsafe(egfire-damagedpremises)oraccessisphysicallyimpractical.Thelevelofintrusionwillbesignificantlygreaterthanwithmanagementsurveys.Itwillincludeaccessingstructuralareas,betweenfloorsandwallsandundergroundservices.Someareasmaybedifficulttogainentrytoand/ormayneedspecialistassistanceorequipment.Accessarrangementsneedtobefullydiscussedintheplanningstageandformpartofthecontract,particularlywhereassistancehastobeengaged.Whereaccesshasnotbeenpossibleduringrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveys,theseareasmustbeclearlylocatedonplansandinthetextofthereporttoallowtherefurbishmentanddemolitionprocessestobeprogressiveinthoseareas.AnyACMsmustbeidentifiedandremovedatthistime.Itisnowrecognisedthatevenwith‘complete’accessdemolitionsurveys,allACMsmaynotbeidentifiedandthisonlybecomesapparentduringdemolitionitself.Surveyorsneedtobecompetenttodoalltherelevantworkandtasksinthisclassofsurveys(seeSection2:Competenceandqualityassuranceprocedures).Theywillneedsomeknowledgeofconstruction,beabletocarryouttheworksafelyandwithoutrisktohealth,havethecorrectequipmenttodotheworkandhavetheappropriateinsurance.
58Ifanyrestrictionshavetobeimposedonthescopeorextentofthesurvey,theseitemsmustbeagreedbybothpartiesandclearlydocumented.Theyshouldbeagreedbeforeworkstarts(egatthepreliminarysitemeetingandwalk-throughinspectionorduringdiscussion(seeparagraphs77–78))andarelikelytoformpartofthecontract.Ifduringthesurvey,thesurveyorisunabletoaccessanylocationorareaforanyreason,thedutyholdermustbeinformedassoonaspossibleandarrangementsmadeforlateraccess.Ifaccessisnotpossible,thenthesurveyreportshouldclearlyidentifytheseareasnotaccessed.Limitationsshouldbekepttoanabsoluteminimumbyensuringthatstaffareadequatelytrained,insuredandhavetheappropriateequipmentandtools.
Survey restrictions and caveats can seriously undermine the management of asbestos in buildings. They should be included only where absolutely necessary and should be fully justified. Most can be avoided by proper planning and discussion. They must be agreed between the dutyholder and the surveyor and documented in the survey report.
Survey strategy Non-domestic premises 59Inthenon-domesticsector,thereisanexpectationthateverybuildingwillbesurveyedonanindividualbasistoidentifythepresenceandconditionofasbestos.Inpremiseswheretherearelargenumbersofsimilarornear-identicalrooms(egofficesorhotels),asurveystrategycanbeadoptedwhichreflectsthescaleandnatureofthebuildings.Allroomsshouldbevisuallyinspected,asthereclearlycanbedifferencesinroomsduetolocation(egpresenceofrisers,services)orfunction/facilities.Subsequently,‘similar’roomscanbeplacedintogroups(ieroomswith
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similarlocationsorfacilities,suchasnexttolifts,containingrisers,gableendormiddlebuildingrooms,plantroomsetc).InthesegroupsthereislikelytobegreateruniformityinthepresenceofACMs,egfireprotectionnexttoliftshafts).Withinthesegroups,therewillbelessneedforsamplinginallrooms.Samplingcanbeconductedinarepresentativenumberofroomsand,whereACMsareidentified,thesameitemsinotherroomsinthisgroupcanbestronglypresumedtocontainasbestos.
Domestic premises60Inthedomesticsector,localauthoritiesandhousingassociationshaveresponsibilityforverylargenumbersofpropertieswhichneedarangeofmaintenanceandrepairworkaswellasgeneralimprovementandupgradingoroccasionallydemolition.Workscanincludeelectricalrewiring,structuralrepairsandalterations,replacementwindows,centralheating,insulation,renewalofbathroomandkitchenfittingsorcompleterenovations.Theworkmaybenecessaryonindividualorsmallnumbersofpremises(egemergencyworkduetofire/water/stormdamage)oronlargenumberswheretherearemajorimprovementorupgradingschemes(egthe‘DecentHomesImprovement’programme).
61Domesticpropertiespresentparticularchallengesforsurveyingasbestos.Themainissuesarethescale(ielargenumberofproperties(andconsequentlywhatisreasonableandpracticable)),therealextentofsimilarityinbuildingmaterialsandthepersonalnatureoftheproperty.Asbestoswasextensivelyusedindomesticpropertiesbetween1930and1980.HoweverthepresenceofACMscannowbequitevariableandunpredictableevenwithinthesamearchetypalgroup.Thecontentvariesforseveralreasonsincluding:
■■ inconsistent/variableinitialuse;■■ randomuseofwastepiecesandoffcutsbybuilders;■■ previousunrecordedremovalofasbestos;■■ modificationsofpropertiesbytenants(presentandpast)andhousing
associations(removingandaddingACMs).
62Domesticdwellingsoftenfallintoparticulararchetypalgroupsintermsofstyle,designandage,egflatswithinblockswouldgenerallybesimilaratconstruction.Thesefactorscanbeusedtodevelopthesurveystrategy.Thefollowingparagraphsoutlinethegeneralstrategytouseforsurveyingdomesticproperties.Therearethreecomponents:establishtheasbestosstatusofproperties,carryoutmanagementsurveysandcarryout,asnecessary,refurbishmentsurveys.
Establish asbestos status of properties 63Carryoutadesk-topstudytoestablishtheprobableasbestosstatusofgroupsofproperties.Inthisexercise,propertiescanbeplacedintoarchetypalgroupsbasedonvariousparametersincludingconstructiondate(egestatesphases),housedesignandlocation.Thesegroupsofpropertiescanbeseparatedintothefollowingcategories:asbestosfree,‘contain’ACMsand‘possiblycontain’ACMs.Themaincriteriainvolvedhereforconcludinggroupsareasbestosfreewouldbeanypropertyconstructedin2000orlater.Itmayalsobepossibletoconcludethatgroupsareasbestosfreebasedonotherinformation,suchasoriginalconstructioninformation,buildingmaterialspecification,previousasbestossurveysorremovalsorotherrecords.Theevidenceforthiswouldneedtobestrongandrecordscomplete.Thesesourcesofinformationwouldalsobeusedtoconcludethedefinitepresenceofasbestosinparticularpropertygroups.Otherpropertiesconstructedpre-2000shouldbeclassedaspossiblycontainingACMs(unlessthereisevidencetoshowotherwise(egprevioussurveysetc)).
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Management surveys64ManagementsurveysshouldbecarriedoutonpropertieswhichcontainorpossiblycontainACMs.‘Asbestos-free’dwellingsshouldberecordedassuchinthemanagementplananddonotneedsurveying.Howeverworkersinsuchpremises(particularlypre-2000)shouldalwaysbevigilant.Aproportionofpropertiesineachcategory(iecontainorpossiblycontainACMs)andeacharchetypalgroupshouldbesurveyed.Exactsamplingratioscannotbespecified,astheproportionwilldependonthevariabilityofhousingstock.AproportionshouldbesurveyeduntiltheresultsdemonstrateasfarasreasonablypracticablethatthereisconsistencyintherangeofACMsinthepropertytype.NoteverypropertywillcontainalltheACMitemsbuttherangeofACMsinthepropertytypeswillbeknown.Everynon-surveyedpropertyhasthepotentialtocontainalltheACMsintherangeandtheACMsshouldbemanagedonthatbasis.Wherethereisconsiderablevariability,theratiosurveyedwillbehigh.
65Informationfromthemanagementsurveyscanbeenhancedwithdatafrommoreintrusivesurveyswhenthecircumstancesallow,egwhenpropertiesarevacant.Informationfromrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysshouldbeusedtoupdatetheasbestosregisterforthatparticulartypeofproperty. 66Managementsurveys,supportedbyrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveys,shouldbeusedastheprimarymeansofmanagingroutinemaintenanceworkindomesticpremises.HoweverdutyholdersmustrecognisethatthesesurveysarelimitedintheirscopeandextentofintrusionandthereforedonotprovidesufficientinformationonthepresenceofACMsforlargerscalerefurbishmentandotherimprovementprojects.
Refurbishment surveys67Refurbishmentanddemolitionsurveyswillberequiredwhererefurbishmentworkorotherworkinvolvingdisturbingthefabricofthebuildingiscarriedout.Thesurveystrategyforrefurbishmentworksissimilartothatformanagementsurveys.Refurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysshouldalsobecarriedoutonaproportionofpropertiesintheworkprogramme.Theratioagainwilldependonasbestosvariabilitywithinthehousingstockandmaybehighwherethereissubstantialvariation.AproportionshouldbesurveyeduntiltheresultsdemonstrateasfarasreasonablypracticablethatthereisconsistencyintherangeofACMsinthepropertytypeandthereisanaccuratepictureofasbestospresence.Therefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveywillonlybenecessaryinthespecificarea/locationwheretheworkswilltakeplace,egcupboard,partofaroom,kitchen/bathroom.Howeverfurtherrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveyswillbenecessaryinotherlocationswhennewimprovementschemesareproposed.TheselocalisedrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysshouldhavethespecificpurposeofidentifyingACMsforremoval,controloravoidanceduringtherefurbishmentworks.
68Forhouseimprovementschemesandotherprojectwork,refurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysshouldbeincorporatedintotheplanningphaseofsuchworkasfaraspossible.Thiswillavoiddelaysanddisruptionetc.Wheretheworkisurgent(egessentialoremergencymaintenance,repairandinstallation),therefurbishmentsurveysmayhavetobecarriedoutjustbeforetheworkitself.Surveysshouldbeperformedwithduediligence.
69TheabovestrategyrequiresmanagementarrangementswhichreflectthecircumstancesanduncertaintyofACMsindomesticpremises.TherewillalwaysbethepotentialforACMsnottohavebeenidentifiedbeforemaintenanceandrefurbishmentworkiscarriedout.Inthesesituationsthemanagementarrangementsmustincludethefollowing:
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■■ adequateasbestostrainingoftradespeople(egtocoverawareness,includingidentification)andworkprocedures;
■■ arrangementsmustbeinplacetoensurethatasbestosregistersorrecordsarecheckedbeforeworkcommencingandthereareproceduresfordealingwithanysuspect/suspicious/unknownmaterial,iestopwork,checkmaterialetc;
■■ adequatesupervisiontoensureproceduresareimplementedandfollowed.
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4 Survey planning70Thekeytoaneffectivesurveyistheplanning.Thedegreeofplanningandpreparationwilldependontheextentandcomplexityofthebuildingportfolio.Single,simpleone-storeyfactorybuildingswillbedifferentfromaschooloralargehospitalcomplex.Surveysonsiteswithmanyandvariabletypesofbuildingswillneedconsiderableplanningandprioritising.Theprinciplestobeusedinplanning/structuringandconductingthesurveywillbesimilarinallcases.Thesurveyisnotaboutjustturningupandtakingsamples.Thereneedstobeasufficientinitialexchangeofinformationbetweenthedutyholderorclientandthesurveyorandaclearunderstandingbybothpartiesofwhatisrequired.Theinformationwillbeusedtoformthecontractbetweenthedutyholderandthesurveyorincludingwherethesurveyisperformedin-house.
Box 5: Information the surveyor needs from the client
■■ Detailsofbuildingsorpartsofbuildingstobesurveyedandsurveytype(s).■■ Detailsofbuilding(s)use,processes,hazards,priorityareas.■■ Plans,documents,reportsandsurveysondesign,structureandconstruction.■■ Safetyandsecurityinformation:firealarmtesting,specialclothingareas(eg
foodproduction).■■ Accessarrangementsandpermits.■■ Contactsforoperationalorhealthandsafetyissues.
Box 6: Information the client/dutyholder should expect from the surveyor
■■ Surveyor(s)identity,qualifications,accreditationorcertificationstatus,qualitycontrolprocedures.
■■ Referencesfrompreviouswork.■■ Insurance(professionalindemnitycover).■■ Costs.■■ Proposedscopeofwork.■■ Planofwork,includingplansforsamplingorasbestosdisturbance.■■ Timetable.■■ Detailsofcaveats.■■ Report,includingareasnotaccessed/notsurveyed).
71ThekeypointsaresummarisedinBoxes5and6.Thedutyholdershouldknowwhattoexpectfromthesurveyorandviceversa.
Dutyholder’s planning
72Thedutyholderneedstoconsiderthepurposeofthesurveyandwhatinformationitneedstoprovide.Thedutyholderwillbetheclientandshouldconsider:
■■ Whythesurveyisneeded?■■ Whattype(s)ofsurveyisneeded?■■ Whatinformationmustthesurveyprovide?■■ WhatformatdoIwantthereportin(asbestosregister,drawings,electronic,
printedetc)?■■ Whatinformationwillthesurveyorrequire?
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Surveyor’s planning procedure
73Thesurveyorshouldestablishthetypeofsurvey(s)required.Itmaybethatmorethanonesurveytypewillberequired,egamanagementsurveyformostofthepremises,butarefurbishmentsurveyinonebuildingorpartofabuilding.Establishingthesurveytypeshouldbedoneinconsultationwiththeclient.Thesurveyplanningshouldbestructuredandincludethevariousstepsoutlinedbelow.Thesestepsarelistedseparatelybutinpracticetherewillbeoverlaportheywillrunconcurrently/simultaneously.Theremaybesomesituationswhereallthestepsarenotnecessaryorpossible(egsmallorsimplepremises,fire-damagedpremisesandpre-purchasesurveysetc).Wherethesurveyinvolvessamplingorasbestosdisturbance,asite-specificassessmentandplanofworkisrequiredunderCAR2006.
Step 1: Collect all the relevant information to plan the survey.
Step 2: Consider the information (desk-top study).
Step 3: Prepare a survey plan (including how data will be recorded).
Step 4: Conduct a risk assessment for the survey.
Step 1: Collect all the relevant information to plan the survey
74Itisessentialthatthesurveyorcollectsallthenecessaryrelevantinformationtoensurethatthesurveyiscompletedefficiently,effectivelyandsafely,andthatitmeetstheclient’srequirements.Theinformationshouldbegatheredasearlyaspossibletoenablethoroughplanning.Theidealsituationwouldbetoarrangeapreliminarysitemeetingandhaveawalk-throughinspection.Thisisessentialforlargeandcomplexpremises.However,pre-surveysitevisitsmaynotalwaysbepossible(egsmallsurveyswherethecostofasecondvisitoutweighsadvantagesorwheretherearemultiplepremises(egchainstores)anditisnotpracticaltovisitthemall).Insuchsituationstheinformationwillneedtobegatheredthroughothermeans(egbycorrespondencesuchasphone/e-mail/post,orbyapreliminarymeetingandwalk-throughimmediatelybeforethesurvey).
75TheinformationrequiredislistedinBox7.Itisofteneasiertoobtainthisinformationthroughdirectdiscussionwiththeclient.Themeetingisalsoanopportunitytoexplainfurtherthenatureofthesurveyandmaterialassessmentsandagreethenatureandformatoftheresultsandreport.
76Accurateplansofthebuilding(s)andthefloorlayoutshouldbeobtainedatthisstagewherepossible.Buildingplansshouldbeusedforcomplexpremises.Theplansshouldcontainthemainfeaturesofeachroom,corridors,stairsetc.Theplansshouldbemarkedwithuniquefloorandroomnumberstohelpidentifyindividuallocations.Theplansshouldbecheckedforaccuracyandcompleteness.Ifplansarenotavailable,anaccuratedrawingofthepremiseswillneedtobemadebythesurveyorbeforethesurveystarts.Insomepremises(egsmall/uncomplicated),asimpledrawingshowingthesalientfeaturesmaybesufficient.Inothersituations,moredetaileddrawingswillhavetobemade.Theseplanswillbeusedtorefertoandrecordthepositionofanysuspectmaterialandthelocationofanysamplestakenforidentification.Theplansshouldalsobeusedtolocateandrecordanysensitiveorrestrictedareasandhazards.
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Box 7: Information to be collected by the surveyor
■■ Descriptionanduseofproperty(ieindustrial,office,retail,domestic,education,healthcareetc).
■■ Numberofbuildings:age,typeandconstructiondetails.■■ Numberofrooms.■■ Anyunusualfeatures,undergroundsections.■■ Detailsaboutwhetherthebuildingshavebeenextended,adaptedor
refurbished,andiftheyhave,whentheworkwasdone.■■ Anyplantorequipmentinstalled.■■ Whetheralistedbuilding,conservationareaetc.■■ Extentorscopeofsurveyrequired(possiblymarkdetailsonasiteplanor
architects’drawings).■■ Whetherthesurroundinggroundandassociatedbuildingsorstructuresare
tobeincludedinthescopeofthesurvey.■■ Currentplansordrawingsofthesite.■■ Previousplans,includingarchitects’originaldrawingsandspecificationsand
subsequentplansformajorchangesandrefurbishment.■■ Whetherthepremisesarevacantoroccupied.■■ Anyrestrictionsonaccess.■■ Specialrequirementsorinstructions.■■ Responsibilityandarrangementsforaccess.■■ Whethersurveydamageistobemadegood(refurbishment/demolition
surveys).■■ Site-specifichazards(mechanical,electrical,chemicaletc).■■ Responsibilityforisolationofservices,power,gas,chemicalsetc.■■ Workingmachineryorplant(includinglifts)tobemadesafe(theseare
coveredingreaterdetailinStep4).■■ Ifphotosaretobetaken.■■ Howmanybulksampleswillbenecessary.■■ Thelocationofallservices,heatingandventilationducts,plantrooms,riser
shaftsandliftshafts.■■ Detailsofanypreviousasbestossurveys(Type1/2/3Surveys),current
asbestosregistersandallrecordsofasbestosremovalorrepairs.■■ InformationonpossiblerepairstoACMs,egpipe/thermalinsulation.■■ Historyofthesite:anybuildingspreviouslydemolished;presenceof
undergroundductsorshaftsetc.
Preliminary site meeting and walk-through inspection77Awalk-throughinspectionwillbeextremelyvaluableforplanningthesurveyandidentifyingpotentialissuesandproblems.Theinspectionwillenablethesurveyortobecomefamiliarwiththelayoutofthepremises,includingthelocationofequipmentandfurnitureetc,whichmayimpedeaccessorsampling.Inaddition,itwillallowthesurveyortogainanappreciationofthesizeoftheprojectandtoestimatetheextentofsamplingrequired.Theinspectionalsoallowsanyspecifichazardstoberecognisedanddiscussedtominimisetherisks.Itwillalsoenableotherpotentialissuestobeidentifiedorraised(andresolved).Possibleissuesincludeentryoraccessrestrictions(egtoceilingvoids,highareasandcrawlspaces),samplingmatters(egsamplingonlywhentheareaisunoccupied,materialsordecorationswhichcannotbedisturbed,labellingofsamplelocations,futureplacementofasbestoswarninglabels(seeFigure3),measuresusedtoreducedustreleaseandclean-upetc)andthepotentialneedforalicensedasbestoscontractor(egtogainaccessthroughAIBceilingtiles).Whereaccessisrequiredtohighareas,arrangementsshouldbemadefortheuseofscaffolding,atowercraneorMEWP.Thewalk-throughinspectionshouldalsobeusedtochecktheaccuracyofthebuildingplans.
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Figure 3Asbestoslabel
78Ifapre-surveysitemeetingandwalk-througharenotpossible,theinformationlistedinBox7shouldbecollectedthroughdiscussionandcorrespondencewiththeclient.Anyinformationnotcollectedwillneedtobeobtainedatthesitepriortothesurveystarting.Inaddition,plansanddrawingswillneedtobecheckedatthistime.
Step 2: Consider the information (desk-top study)
79Thesurveyorneedstocollateandconsiderallthecollectedinformation(egonthepremises,buildingstructures,processes,plantandmachinerytypes)sothesurveycanbeproperlyplanned.Thisisa‘desk-top’exercisetoreviewtheinformation,planthesurveystrategyandconsiderifthereareanygapsintheinformation.Thesurveyorshouldalsoconsidertheresourcesandequipmentetc,whichwillbenecessarytocompletethework.Thesurveyorshouldconsidertheinformationonthefollowing:
■■ competencytoundertakethework;■■ availableresources;■■ intendedprogrammeofworks;■■ expectedequipmenttobeusedforaccess:
– intothestructure;– tohighlevels;– intocontaminatedareasorconfinedspaces;– throughknownACMs;
■■ theneedforadditionaltrades(joiner,electrician,builder)togainaccessduringthesurveyortoreinstateareasoncompletion;
■■ bulksamplingstrategyandexpectednumberofsamplestobetakenwithreferencetothesiteplan.
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80Manypremiseswillberelativelysimpleandstraightforward,egoneortwobuildingsandnoadditionallandorground,nomachinery,liftsandoutbuildingsandnopreviousrefurbishmentordemolition.The‘desk-top’reviewisthetimetofocusonthenatureofthepremisesandthetypeofsurvey.Refurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysinparticularwillneedmuchconsideration.
Step 3: Prepare a survey plan (including how data will be recorded)
81Afteralltherelevantinformationhasbeencollectedandthepreliminarysiteinspectionanddesk-topstudyhavebeencompleted,awrittenplanforthemainsurveycanbeproduced.Theplanessentiallysetsoutthecontentofthesurveyandcanformthebasisofthecontractwiththeclient.Theplanwillnormallyspecifythefollowing:
Scope
■■ Thescopeofthebuildings’survey.■■ Anyexternalareastobeincluded.■■ Anyareastobeexcluded.■■ Thetypeofsurvey(managementorrefurbishmentanddemolition).■■ AnypossibleorknownACMs,nottobeincludedinthesurvey.
Survey procedure■■ Thesurveyprocedure(eghowitwillbeconducted)andsamplingstrategy
including:agreednumbersofsamplesandsamplingmethods;– agreednumbersofphotographs;– proceduresformakinggood;– agreedsurveytimesofwork;– agreedsignage;– keyaccess;– agreedstartandcompletiondates;
■■ thematerialassessmentmethodandtheparameterstobeassessed(egproducttype,location,extent,conditionandaccessibilityofACMs);
■■ theinformationtoberecordedandthemethodandformattobeused;■■ thequalityassurancechecksandprocedurestobeundertaken;■■ anyknownareawhereaccesswillnotbepossible.
Personnel and safety issues■■ Namesofsurveyors(forsecuritypurposes).■■ Safetyprecautionsfromthesurveyor’sriskassessment,includingstepsto
minimiseasbestosdisturbanceandpreventasbestosspread.■■ Sitesafetyproceduresforemergenciesincludingdecontaminationetc.
Report■■ Reportformatwithheadings(seeparagraph132).■■ Whatdatawillbereported.■■ Howthedatawillbepresented(eachroom/areashouldbeindividually
recorded).■■ Thewaythesurveydatawillbestored,accessedandupdated(egapaper
copyinthesitemanager’sofficeoracomputerdatabaseaccessibleonanetworkortheinternet).
■■ Thewayphotographicorvideorecordsandmarked-upplanswillbestoredandreported.
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■■ Howtorecordasbestoslook-alikematerials(ifnotsampled).■■ Otherinformationrequiredbytheclientthatmayhavebeenagreed,eg
detailingfixings.
82ThesurveyreportshouldcontainasummaryoftheresultsinaformatthatcanbeusedasthebasisforanupdatableregisterofACMs(ietheasbestosregister)andadiagram(iebuildingdrawings)indicatingthelocationsofACMs(seeparagraphs131–144).Thisregisterwillneedtobereadilyaccessibletoallinvolvedininitiatingmaintenanceorotherworkonthefabricofthebuilding.Itshouldbeavailableinhardcopyformatand,whereappropriate,storedelectronically.
Step 4: Conduct a risk assessment for the survey
83Surveyingwillpresenthealthandsafetyissuestothesurveyorsandothers.Thereforebeforeasitesurvey,itisimportantthatanassessmentoftheriskstothehealthandsafetyofsurveyors,samplingpersonnelandbuildingoccupantsiscarriedout.TheclientshouldprovideinformationrelatingtoanyhazardsspecifictothesiteattheStep1stage.Thetypesofnon-asbestoshazardswhichmaybeassociatedwithsurveysinclude:
■■ workingatheights,inceilingvoidsoronafragileroof;■■ workingonoperablemachineryorplant;■■ workinginconfinedspaces;■■ chemicalhazards;■■ electricalhazards;■■ biologicalhazards;■■ noisehazards;and■■ loneworking.
84Theremayalsobeotherspecifichazardsincertaintypesofpremises,eghospitalsandnuclearplanthaveradiologicalhazards.
85Theriskassessmentshouldbepreparedbyacompetentperson(normallythesurveyor)anditshouldbewrittendown.Itshouldestablishallthehazardsattheparticularpremisesandgoontoidentifythecorrectprecautionsandproceduresinaplan of workforthesurvey.Inmanycases,surveyorswillonlyseethesiteforthefirsttimeatthesurvey,sotheywillhavelittlechancetoevaluatethesite-specifichazardsthatareinvolvedandwillrelyontheriskassessmentmadebasedoninformationcollectedatStage1.Theriskassessmentshouldalsospecificallyaddresstheasbestosissues,including:
■■ theneedtopreventdisturbanceofACMsasfaraspossible;■■ theneedtopreventthespreadofACMs;■■ identificationofsafeworkprocedures(egcontrolstobeusedwhiletaking
samples,arrangementsforenteringcontaminatedareas);■■ PPEtobeused;■■ decontaminationanddisposalarrangements.
86 Informationonsafesystemsofworkforasbestossamplingissetoutinparagraphs110–111.87Refurbishment/demolitionsurveysaremorelikelytopresentsomeserioushealthandsafetyhazardsduetotheintrusiveanddestructivenatureofthework,eghiddenelectricalcablesorpipesorunstablebuildings.Thehazardswillneedtobeproperlyaddressedwithproceduresinplacetodealwithemergencies.
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Safe work procedures88Ideallyasurveyshouldbeconductedwithateam(s)oftwopeople.Thishasanumberofadvantages,forexampleinassistingwithcarryingequipmentsuchasstepladders,labellingofsamplebagsanddocumentation.Incasesofremoteordangerouslocations(egderelictbuildingsoritemsidentifiedinparagraphs83–84),ateamoftwoshouldbespecifiedasasafetyrequirement.TeamworkingalsoallowsfieldtrainingofnewsurveyorstobecarriedoutinasupervisedpracticalenvironmentandgivesabetterchanceoffindingACMs.Furtherinformationonsafeworkingprocedurescanbefoundinparagraphs110–111.
Personal protective equipment89Disposablecoveralls,overshoesandglovesshouldbewornwhenthereisalikelihoodofasbestoscontaminatingthesurveyor’sclothingandduringbulksampling.Thecoverallsshouldbethetypenormallyusedforasbestoswork(ieType5coverall)andshouldhaveahoodandelasticatedcuffsandankles.Theycanusuallybewornovernormalclothing,butshouldbecarefullyremovedafterusebyturninginsideout,andbedisposedofasasbestoswaste.Coverallsshouldnotbereusedaftertheyhavebeentakenoff.Thecoverallsareusuallyrolledinsideouttominimisespreadsothattheoutsidemakescontactwiththeinside:ifreusedtheywillcontaminatenormalclothing.Takecaretopreventthespreadofasbestos.Forsomedirtyorcontaminatedsites,Wellingtonbootswillberequired,andtheseshouldbewipedorwashedcleaniftheybecomecontaminated.Theyshouldalsobecleanedaftersamplingiscompleted.Forsomesites,morestringentdecontaminationproceduresmaybeneeded(seeparagraph91).There should be an appropriate statement in the generic plan of work as to what type of situation will trigger this, so that even at sites where a preliminary meeting etc was not feasible, appropriate precautions can be taken by the surveyor.
90AppropriateRPEshouldbewornduringsamplingorwhensurveyingareaswheretheasbestosislikelytobedisturbedduringtheinspection(egcrawltunnelsandabovefalseceilings).Thesurveyandsamplingpersonnelmusthavebeenproperlytrainedintheselection,useandmaintenanceofRPEandfollowtheguidancegiveninAsbestos:The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures.15InmanycasesadisposableFFP3respiratororahalfmaskfittedwithaP3filterwillprovideadequateprotection.Face-fittestsshouldbecarriedouttoconfirmthatthemaskfitsthewearer.
Decontamination and disposal arrangements91Ifthesurveyorhastoenterareaswherethereissignificantcontamination(egthermalinsulationincrawltunnels,sprayinsulationinceilingvoids),thereisagreaterpotentialforcontaminationofclothingandfootwear.Theriskassessmentmusttaketheseconditionsintoaccount,asadditionalsafetyprecautionsanddecontaminationprocedureswillbeneeded.Itmayinvolveahigherstandardofpersonalprotection(egpoweredfull-facepiecerespiratorfittedwithaP3filter)andmorecomprehensivedecontaminationprocedures(eguseofadecontaminationunit).Whereentryintotheselocationsisnecessary,surveyorsmustbeadequatelytrainedintheuseofhigh-performanceRPEandindecontaminationprocedures(decontaminationproceduresarecoveredinAsbestos: The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures).Surveyorsshouldnotweartheirownclothesundercoverallsinthesecircumstances.Inaddition,thereshouldbeappropriatediscussionbetweenthesurveyorandclienttoensuretherelevantdecontaminationproceduresareemployed.Ifsignificantcontaminationisunexpectedlyencounteredinthecourseofthesurvey,then‘emergency’proceduresshouldbeimplemented,egleavetheareaanddiscusswiththeclient.
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5 Carrying out the survey (surveying)Introduction
92Surveysshouldbecarriedoutmethodically,systematicallyanddiligentlytomakesureACMsarenotmissedandallareasofthepremisesareinspected.Buildingplansshouldbeusedtopreparethesurveystrategyandforcheckingprogressthroughthepremises.Plansshouldbeinspectedtomakesurebuildingfeaturesandservices(egvoids,cavities,risers,ducting,undercroftsetc)areincluded.Therearevariousoptionsforasystematicsurveyinspection.OneexampleisshowninBox8.
93EachareashouldbesurveyedwithduecaretoavoidmissinganyACMs.Surveyorsshouldbeinquisitiveanduseinitiative.Materialsshouldbetappedandprodded.Everythingshouldbecheckedandinspected.Donotpresumeeveryitemisthesamejustbecauseitlookssimilar.Thisisparticularlyrelevantwhenassumingitemsarenon-asbestos.Sampleandtakephotographsasyougoalong.Lookoutforunusual,potentialsourcessuchasoversprayorpackers.Allowenoughtimeforthesurvey.Itisgoodpracticetosurvey‘inpairs’ietwopeopleworkingtogether,withbothinspectingoneareaatthesametime.Recheckareaswhicharecomplexorhavemanyitems(egplantrooms).ACMswillbemissedwheresurveyorsaretired,rushedormakeassumptions.Doafinalwalkthrough,checkingnotesagainstplans.Largepremiseswillrequiremoredetailedsurveyprocedures,particularlyifseveralsurveyorsareinvolved,egitmaybeappropriatetocarryoutaseparatesurveyonthebuildingservices,machineryandanylargefloorandceilingvoids;andrecapsandchecksshouldbecarriedoutfrequently.
Box 8: Example of a systematic survey inspection External areas: ■■ Workdownwardsfromhightolow.■■ Workfromtheperipheryinwards.
Internal areas:■■ Workupwardsfrombasementtoroof.■■ Inspecteachareaindividually.■■ Workaroundeachareaclockwisefromthedoorofentry.■■ Inspecteachcomponentinsideeachcompartmentinthefollowingorder:
ceiling,walls,floors,fixturesandfittings,equipmentandservices.■■ Lookateachitemindividually.
General:■■ Checkandinspecteverything.■■ Sampleandtakephotographsasyougoalong.■■ Recheckareaswhicharecomplexorhavemanyitems.■■ Doafinalwalk-through,checkingnotesagainstplans.
Types, location and appearance of asbestos-containing building products: Appendices94Appendices2–3providedetailedinformationonACMsinbuildings.Appendix2summarisesthemaintypesandusesofACMsinthefabricofabuildingandinfixedinstallationssuchasheating,waterandelectricalsystems.Itliststhe
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mainproducttypes,theirlocationanduse,asbestoscontent,datelastusedandcommontradeorproductnames.Theproducttypesarelistedapproximatelyinorderoftheirabilitytoreleasefibresassumingnosurfacetreatmentshavebeenapplied.ThelocationsofmanyoftheseproductsinbuildingsisshowndiagrammaticallyinAppendix3togetherwithanextensivepicturegalleryofmanyasbestosproductsasanaidtoidentifyingACMs.
Older industrial machinery and plant95Olderequipmentislikelytocontainasbestosduetoitsageorhigherperformancerequirements.Theequipmentisalsolikelytoneedservicingandmaintenance.Thesurveyorshouldinspecttheaccessiblepartsofmachineryandplantwhichprovideheatandelectricalinsulation,high-performancesealsandfrictionalperformance(egdrivingbelts,clutches,brakesandbearings).Thesurveyorshouldnotsampleorworkonanymachineryunlessqualifiedtodoso.Engineersormaintenancepersonnelmaybeabletohelpinthesesituations.Ifsamplingisnotcarriedout,theequipmentshouldbepresumedtocontainasbestosunlessthereisevidencethatitcontainsnon-asbestosmaterials.
Older consumer electrical products96Olderconsumer-typeindustrialelectricalproductsmayalsocontainsomeACMs(eghairdryers,irons,washingmachines,dishwashers,tumbledryers).Howeverastheasbestosinthistypeofequipmentisnotreadilyaccessibleandpresentsonlyaverylowrisk,itisnotpracticaltoinspectorsampleforit.However,productswhichareusedfororrequiresignificantheatinsulationshouldbeinspectedduringthesurvey.Thesewillincludesimmeringmats,ironstands,firecurtainsandblankets,catalyticgasheaters,alltypesofwarmair,storageorradiantheaters,andcookerdoorseals.
What to assess and record97ThemanagementsurveyrequiresthattheconditionoftheACMsandtheirabilitytoreleasefibresareassessed(ieamaterialassessment).Therefore,foramanagementsurvey,theinformationlistedinBox9shouldbeobtainedandrecordedforeachACMorpresumedorsuspectACM.RefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysnormallyrequirelessinformationasdetailsofACMconditionarenotrequired(seeBox10butnotetimereference).
Box 9: Information required for a management survey
■■ Asbestosproducttype(s).■■ Locationofthematerial(s).■■ Extent(orquantity)ofthematerial(s).■■ Asbestostype(s).■■ Accessibilityand/orvulnerabilityofthematerial(s).■■ Amountofdamageordeterioration.■■ Surfacetreatment(ifany).
Box 10: Information* required for a refurbishment or demolition survey
■■ Asbestosproducttype(s).■■ Locationofthematerial(s).■■ Extent(orquantity)ofthematerial(s).■■ Asbestostype(s).
*Wheretherefurbishmentordemolitionworkwillnot
takeplaceforasignificantperiodafterthesurvey(egthreemonths),thentheinformationrequiredfora
managementsurveyshouldbeobtained(seeparagraph52).
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Presumed ACMs98Ifasampleisnottaken,theremustalsobeapresumptionmadewhetherthematerialisasbestosornon-asbestos.Surveyorsmayvisuallyassesstheedgesanddamagedareasofsuspectmaterialsandrecordthefollowing:
■■ whethervisiblefibresarepresentoncloseinspection(seeAsbestos: The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures);
■■ thecolourofthefibres,ifvisible;and■■ whetherfibresarevisuallyconsistentwithasbestos(egformbundleswith
splayedends).
99Somematerials,liketexturedplasters,paintsandvinylfloortiles,maycontainveryfinedispersedchrysotileasbestoswhichmaynotbeseenbyeyeorwithamagnifyingglass,andthesematerials(ifold)willhavetobepresumedtocontainasbestosunlesstheyaresampledandcarefullyanalysedbyacompetentlaboratory.Asimportedmaterialsmayhavecontainedchrysotileasbestosuntil1999andlaboratoriesoftenmissthefineasbestos,someadditionalchecksmaybenecessarywiththesetypesofmaterials.Otherusefulcharacteristics(egsurfacetexture,soundwhenknocked,warmthtotouch,surfacehardness/deformationwithaprobe)mayalsobeusedbyexperiencedsurveyorstohelpcomparethematerialwithothermaterialstheyhavepreviouslyencounteredandhadsamplesidentified.Unlessthesurveyorisconvincedthatthereisadequateevidencetoconcludethatthematerialisasbestos-free(egplaster,plasterboard,woodetc),apresumptionorstrongpresumptionshouldbemadethatitisanACM.
Asbestos type100Thematerialassessmentrequiresinformationonthetypeofasbestos.Intheabsenceofanalyticaldataandwheresimilarproductshavenotbeenidentifiedinthesurvey,themostlikelyasbestostypemustbeallocatedbasedontheproducttypesandageinAppendix2.Itmayalsobepossibletoobtaininformationonthetypeofasbestosfromcloseinspectionofthematerial,egiffibresarevisibleintheproduct,thesecangivesomeadditionalcluestothetypeofasbestos(seeAsbestos: The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures).Ingeneral,however,unlessthereisevidencetoshowotherwise,theasbestostypeshouldbeassumedtobecrocidoliteasbestos.
Bulk sampling strategy
101Samplingwillnormallybecarriedoutatthetimeofthesurvey.Thisisusuallythemostconvenientandefficientarrangement.However,forverylargepremisesorwhereaccesshasnotbeenpossible,samplingmaybecarriedoutasaseparateexercise,egwhentheareaisavailable.Eachareaandroominthepremisesshouldhaveathoroughvisualexaminationtoidentifythematerialsandlocationstobeselectedforsampling.Thevisualinspectionshouldbeconductedsystematically(seeparagraph93andBox8).Materialsshouldbeinspectedforapparentdifferencesandvariationinappearance.Samplesofabout3–5cm2surfaceareaandthroughtheentiredepthoftheACM(includinganybackingpaper)shouldnormallybetakenwiththeaimofcollectingoneormoresampleswhicharerepresentativeofthewholematerial.Samplingshouldnotbecarriedoutwherethereisanelectricalhazardorifitwilldamagethecriticalintegrityofaroof,gutter,pipeetc.AnequipmentchecklistforsamplingisgiveninAppendix5.
102Thesamplingstrategywillbebasedonseveralfactors,includingthesizeandnumbersofpremises/roomsandtheextent,typesandvariationinmaterialspresent.Thevisualinspectionandchecking(egtappingandprodding)ofeachmaterialwillallowthesamplenumbersandlocationstobespecified.Ingeneral,forhomogeneousmanufacturedproductscontainingasbestos,itcanbeassumed
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thattheasbestosisuniformlydistributedthroughoutthematerial,andoneortwosampleswillsuffice,egboards,sheets,cementproducts,textiles,ropes,frictionproducts,plasticsandvinyls,mastics,sealant,bitumenroofingfeltandgaskets.Insulationmaterialsaregenerallylesshomogeneousastheywereappliedonsiteandtheircompositiondependedontheavailabilityofsupply.Subsequentrepairsandpatchingmayaddtothisvariabilityandincreasethenumberofsamplesrequired.Repairedandreplacedmaterialsshouldalwaysbesampledinadditiontotheoriginalitems.
103Inaddition,substantialcontaminationanddebrismayhavebeenproducedatthetimeofinstallation,egoverspray,otherinsulationdebris,AIBoff-cuts.Afavouritepracticewastodropoff-cutsintovoidsandsweepdebrisintoliftshaftsandotherrisers.Asbestosdebrisandothersuspectvisiblecontaminationshouldbesampled.
104Forhomogeneousmaterial,oftenasinglesamplemaybeallthatisrequiredtoconfirmthesuspicionthatitisasbestosandtomakeapresumptionthatitappliestoothermaterialofthesametype.However,fornon-homogeneousmaterialsandforsomepresumednon-asbestosmaterials,additionalsamplingmayoftenbeneeded,toreducethepossibilityoffalsenegativeswhichmayleadtoincorrectconclusions.Thefollowingsamplenumbersaresuggestedforeachroomordefinedarea,butmaybeadapteddependingonthesiteandthecircumstancesprevailing.
Spray coatings, encapsulated sprays and bulk materials105Theseareusually,butnotalways,homogeneous(underanyencapsulate).Differentmixturesmayhavebeenusedandmaterialmayhavebeenremoved,repairedorpatchedatvarioustimes.Wherethematerialappearsuniformandconsistent,twosamplesshouldusuallybeenough,iftakenateitherendofthesprayedsurface.Iftheinstallationisparticularlylarge(eg>100m2),onesampleshouldbetakenapproximatelyevery25–30m2.Samplesshouldbetakenfromallpatchesofrepairsoralterations.
Pipe/thermal insulation106Pipeinsulationisoftenhighlyvariableincomposition,especiallywherethereisachangeincolour,sizeandtextureorthereisevidenceofrepairsormodifications,egasbestosmayhavebeenstrippedfromlongrunsofpipesbuthavebeenleftaroundpipeelbows,tapsandvalves.Ingeneralonesampleshouldbetakenper3mrunofpipewithparticularattentionpaidtodifferentlayersandfunctionalitems(valvesetc).Forlongrunsofpipes(eg>20m),onesampleper6mwillusuallybeenough.Itcanbedifficulttodemonstratethatindividualpipesareasbestosfreesoallpipesshouldbesampledevenwhentheyappearsimilar(seeFigure4).Samplesshouldbetakenfromallpatchesofrepairsoralterations.
Figure 4Pipeuncertainty:Toppipeisnon-asbestos.Allpipesshouldbesampled
Insulating board107Insulatingboardisusuallyhomogeneousbutrepairsandreplacementboardsandtilesmayhavebeenfitted.Boardsandtilesmayalsohavebeenpainted.One
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sampleperroomorevery25m2isusuallyadequate.Ceilingsandwallsshouldbethoroughlyinspectedtocheckforvariationanddifferences.ManypremiseshavehadindividualorgroupsofAIBtilesreplacedaspartofimprovementprogrammes.Ifthereisevidentlymorethanonetypeoftile(egbasedoncolour,pattern,design,sizeetc)thenrepresentativesamplesofeachshouldbetaken.Largerinstallationscompletedatthesametimemayrequireonlyafewtilesamplestobetaken.Somereplacementtilesmaylookthesame.Inspectionofthehiddensideoftheboardortilemay,whereaccesspermits,revealthetradenameofthematerialsand/ordifferencesincolourwhichindicatevariationsinthematerial.Insulatingboardortilesmayoccasionallyhavebeenmanufacturedwithasbestospaperononeorbothsides.
Asbestos cement materials 108Thesearehomogeneousmaterialswhicharecommonlyencounteredascorrugatedandflatsheetsorasvariousmouldedproducts.Asbestoscement(AC)wasalsowidelyusedinlow-costhousingaswallandceilingpanelsandinschoolsinfumecabinetsandkickboards.ItwasalsomistakenlyusedasfireproofingandthereforeisfoundinplaceswhereAIBisexpected,aswellasonofficepartitionwalls.ItdoesnotalwayslooklikeACinthesesituations.Inolderbuildings,mostpre-formedexteriorcementsheetscanbestronglypresumedtobeasbestos,andonlylimitedsamplingisneededtoconfirmthepresumption.Theriskfromfallsthroughasbestoscementroofsusuallymeansthatsamplingisrestricted.Ifsamplingisrequired,onesampleofeachtypeofsheetorproduct(eggutters,downpipesetc)shouldbetaken.Repeatedsamplingisnotusuallynecessaryunlessareasofreplacedsheetsarefound.Asbestoscementsheetsarevisuallyverysimilartotheirnon-asbestos(fibrecement)replacement.Fibre-cementreplacementsheetsareidentifiablebyacode‘NT’placedneartheedgeofthesheet,wheretheyoverlap.Some‘newer’asbestossheetshavethecode‘AT’inasimilarposition.
Other materials including debris and contamination109Wheretherearedistincttypesofmaterials,thenoneortwosamplesfromeachseparatesourcewillusuallybeadequate.Twosamplesarerecommendediftherearemorethanafewsquaremetresofmaterial.
Bulk sampling procedures
Safe systems of work110Allworktobecarriedoutmusthaveanadequateriskassessmentofthesurveysite(seeparagraphs83–87)andtheworkmustbecarriedoutaccordingtotheproceduresdefinedintheriskassessment.Theworkshouldminimisethedisruptiontotheclient’soperationsandmustprotectthehealthandsafetyofeveryonewhomaybeatrisk.SamplingpersonnelmustwearadequatePPE(seeparagraphs89-91).Airborneemissionsshouldnormallybecontrolledbypre-wettingthematerialtobesampled,withwaterand/orasuitablewettingagent.Thismayinvolvesprayingthesurface(egboardsandsheets)orinjecting(eglaggingandsprays).Shadowvacuuming(holdingthesuctioninletclosetotheareawheredustisbeingproduced)withaClassH(BSEN60335)16vacuumcleanershouldbeusedifwettingislikelytobeincomplete(egACsheets,AIBboards,ropesandgaskets)orifitisnotsafetodoso(egitmaydripintoelectricalinstallations).Specialsamplingprecautionsareusedforpipeinsulation(seeparagraphs114–115).
111Theareastobesampledinsidebuildingsshouldasfaraspossiblebeunoccupied.Samplingshouldnotbeundertakeninnormallyoccupiedareas,butifinconstantuse,periodsofminimaloccupationshouldbechosen.Thenatureofthearea,thelikelyreleaseofdustandtheproximityandnatureoffuturework
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willdictatetheprecautionsrequiredtopreventthespreadofasbestos.Entryofotherpeopletoanysamplingareashouldberestrictedorsuitablewarningsposted(eganoticewithwordingsuchas‘Asbestossamplinginprogress:Keepout’).CareshouldbetakentominimisedisturbancetoACMsandanydustordebristhatmightbepresent.Surfacesontowhichasbestosdebrismayfallshouldbeprotectedwithasheetofimperviousmaterialsuchaspolythenewhichcanbeeasilycleanedbywet-wipingorusingasuitableClassHvacuumcleaner.Allsamplesmustbeindividuallysealedintheirowncontainerorasealablepolythenebagwhichisthensealedinasecondcontainerorpolythenebag.Thesampleareashouldbeleftcleanwithnoevidenceofdebrisfromthesamplingoperationandanysamplingpointssealedtopreventthereleaseoffibres.Variousmethodsareusedtoresealthesamplingpoint(egtapesandfillers).
Sample and site labelling 112Wheneverasampleiscollected,itshouldbelabeledwithauniqueidentifierthatisalsorecordedinthesurveydocumentation,recordsandsiteplanssothatthesampleorigincanbetracedatalaterdate.Thesamplingpositionatthesitemayalsobelabelledwiththesameidentifier.Visualrecordssuchasmarked-upplansand/orphotographicrecordsshowingthelocationandextentofthesamplearealsoeffectivewaysofrecordingthesamplingpositionandthelocationoftheACMs.
Bulk sampling Spray coatings and bulk materials 113Ifthecoatingisencapsulated,itcanbepre-injectedwithliquidaroundthesamplingareathencarefullycutwithasharpknifeorscalpeltoliftasmallflaptoretrieveasample.Ifthespraycoatingisnotcovered,bothwetting(sprayingsurfaceandinjection)andshadowvacuumingmaybenecessarytoreduceairborneemissions.Asspraycoatingsaregenerallyhomogeneous,asurfacesampleshouldsuffice.
Pipe insulation114Theareatobesampledshouldbefullywettedfirst:injectiontechniquesarerecommended.Samplesaretakenwithacoresamplerwhichshouldpenetratetothefulldepthofthepipeinsulation.Proprietarytypesareavailable,butlaboratorycorkborersarealsosuitable.Itshouldincludeaplungertoremovethesamplefromtheborer.Thesamplepointholeshouldbemadesafeaftersampling(egcoveredwithtapeorfilledwithasuitableinertfiller),ifthepipeistoremaininplaceandthesurfacewasoriginallyintact.Thishelpstokeeptheinsulationingoodconditionandtopreventdispersalofasbestos.Theborershouldhaveawetwipepusheddowntoformapluginsidetheborerandanotherwrappedaroundtheoutside.Theboreristhenusedtotakeafull-depthsampleoftheinsulation.Theinnerwetwipeisusedtosealthesurfaceoftheinsulationwheretheborerentersanddisturbstheinsulation.Theouterwetwipeisusedtocleantheoutsideoftheborerasitiswithdrawn,andthecontaminatedwetwipecanbeplacedinthesamplebag.Thesampleisremovedbyusingtheplungertopushthesampleoutintothepolythenebag,completewiththewetwipe.Furthercleaningwillberequiredtocompletelycleanthesamplingequipmentbetweensamples.
115Analternativeapproachistousecoresamplingtubesinwhichthesampleisretained.Againthecoretubecanbewithdrawnthroughawetwipeandthencappedatbothendsandplacedinabaguntilitreachesthelaboratory.Chickenwirewasoftenincludedwithinpipeinsulation.Thismayhampersampling,andathincoresamplemayneedtobetaken.Wherethereispipeinsulationwhichisobviouslynewandnon-asbestos,thepossibilityofdebrisfromanearlierasbestosstripbeneaththenewinsulationshouldbeinvestigated.
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Insulating board116Materialssuchasceilingtilesorwallpanelsshouldbeinspectedforareasofexistingdamage,whereasamplecanbecollectedmoreeasily.Otherwise,asmallsampleshouldbetakenfromadiscretelocationatthecorneroredgeofthepanel,withasharpknifeorchiselbladetoleveroffasample.Makesurethatanypaper,ononeorbothsides,isincluded.
Asbestos cement 117Asbestoscementcanusuallybeidentifiedbyvisualinspection.Wheresamplingisnecessary(egtodistinguishbetweenACandAIB),lookforadamagedportionwhereitwillbeeasiertoremoveasmallsample(ACisusuallyveryhard).Thesamplesizeshouldbeabout5cm2asitwillbenecessarytosearchfortracesofamphiboleasbestossuchascrocidoliteandamosite.Thesampleshouldbeobtainedusingpliersorascrewdriverbladetoremoveasmallsectionfromanedgeorcorner.Samples should not be collected from roofs without special safety precautions to prevent falls through the fragile sheets.Iftheanalysisisstillinconclusive(egchrysotileandamositearedetected),thenthedefinitivewaterabsorptiontestshouldbeconducted(thematerialwillbeclassedasACifitabsorbs<30%water)(seeWork with materials containing asbestos).
Gaskets, rope, seals, paper, felts and textiles 118Samplescanbetakenusingasharpknifetocutarepresentativeportionfromthematerial.
Floor and wall coverings 119Samplesshouldbecutoutwithasharpknife,usuallytakingonesamplefromtilesofeachtypeorcolourpresent.Theareashouldbecleanedaftersamplingbutthefibrereleaseislikelytobeverylow,unlesstheasbestosispresentasaliningorbackingmaterial.
Textured coatings120Samplesshouldbeobtainedbycarefullyscrapingthecoatingwithascrewdriverornarrowscraper,directingthematerialintothesamplecontainerheldbelowthesamplingpoint.
Air sampling 121Personalairsamplingcanbecarriedouttomeasuretheexposuresofsurveyandsamplingpersonnel.Occasionallytheremaybearequestfor‘background’airsamplingiftheACMsareamatterofsensitivitytotheoccupants.Suchrequestsneedcarefulappraisal,astheareamayalreadybecontaminated,evenbeforethebulksamplingiscarriedout.Airsamplingmayalsoberequiredwheretherehasbeenintrusivesampling(eginrefurbishmentordemolitionsurveys)andareasorbuildingsaretobereoccupiedforaperiodbeforetheworkiscarriedout(seeparagraphs53-54).TheproceduresforreassuranceairsamplingasdescribedinAsbestos: The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance proceduresshouldbeused.
Sample analysis and reporting 122AnalysisofthesamplescollectedshouldbecarriedoutandreportedinaccordancewiththemethodgiveninAsbestos: The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance proceduresoranequivalentmethod.Thelaboratoryreportshouldforeachsamplegiveaclearstatementofwhetherasbestoswasfoundandthetypesofasbestosidentified.
123Laboratoryresultsshouldbeappended.Materialswhichhavebeensampledandfoundnottocontainasbestosafteranalysisalsoneedrecordingasasbestos not detected,astheasbestoscontentofthesematerialsmaybequestionedinfutureanditwillsaveagreatdealoftimeandcostifthishasbeenclearlyrecorded
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inthefirstinstance.ThesurveyreportorabstractsfromitshouldbepresentedinaformthatcanbeusedasthebasisofaregisterorlogofACMs(seeparagraph139).
Material assessment
124Asoutlinedinparagraph44,themanagementsurveyshouldincludeanassessmentoftheconditionofthevariousACMsandtheirabilitytoreleasefibres.ThisassessmentallowsthedutyholdertoassessthepotentialforfibrereleaseforeachACMandthengoontoprioritisetheneedforactionaspartoftheplanformanagingasbestos.The material assessment should be carried out as part of the management survey.Astandardisedassessmenttoolsuitableforamanagementsurveyisgiveninparagraphs125–127.Itisbasedonasimpleadditivealgorithm.Thetoolcanbeusedtonumericallyassessthepotentialforfibrerelease.Thetoolisnotdesignedtocalculateabsolutedifferencesinpotencyorfibrerelease/hazardpotentialbetweenACMs.ItdoeshoweverenableACMstoberankedinasimplenumericalorder.Noconditionassessmentisnormallynecessaryforrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysbut,wheretheperiodbetweensurveyandtheeventissignificant,egmorethan3months,thenamaterialassessmentshouldbeconductedandinterimmanagementarrangementsputinplace.
Material assessment algorithm125Inthematerialassessmentprocess,themainfactorsinfluencingfibrereleasearegivenascorewhichcanthenbeaddedtogethertoobtainamaterialassessmentrating.ThefourmainparameterswhichdeterminetheamountoffibrereleasedfromanACMwhensubjecttodisturbanceare:
■■ producttype;■■ extentofdamageordeterioration;■■ surfacetreatment;and■■ asbestostype.
126Eachparameterisscoredbetween1and3.Ascoreof1isequivalenttoalowpotentialforfibrerelease,2=mediumand3=high.Twoparameterscanalsobegivenanilscore(equivalenttoaverylowpotentialforfibrerelease).Thevalueassignedtoeachofthefourparametersisaddedtogethertogiveatotalscoreofbetween2and12.PresumedorstronglypresumedACMsarescoredascrocidolite(iescore=3)unlessthereisstrongevidencetoshowotherwise.ExamplesofscoringforeachparameteraregiveninAppendix4.
127Materialswithassessmentscoresof10ormoreareratedashavingahighpotentialtoreleasefibres,ifdisturbed.Scoresofbetween7and9areregardedashavingamediumpotential,andbetween5and6alowpotential.Scoresof4orlesshaveaverylowpotentialtoreleasefibres.Non-asbestosmaterialsarenotscored.
Risk assessment and management plans128Thematerialassessmentidentifiesthe‘high-hazard’materials,iethosematerialswhichwillmostreadilyreleaseairbornefibresifdisturbed.Itdoesnotautomaticallyfollowthatthosematerialsassignedthehighestscoreinthematerialassessmentwillbethepriorityforremedialaction.Prioritymustbedeterminedbycarryingoutariskassessment(ieapriorityassessment)whichwilltakeintoaccountfactorssuchas:
■■ thelocationofthematerial;■■ theextentofthematerial;■■ theusetowhichthelocationisput;
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■■ theoccupancyofthearea;■■ theactivitiescarriedoninthearea;and■■ thelikelihood/frequencywithwhichmaintenanceactivitiesarelikelytotake
place.
129Thepriorityassessmentcanonlybecarriedoutwiththedetailedknowledgeofallthesefactors.Thesurveyorcanhelpinthisprocess,byobtaininginformationwhichwillcontributetothepriorityassessment,particularlyinsmallorsimplepremiseswhereinformationonoccupancyanduseisstraightforward.However,suchhelpmustbeundertakenwithcaution.Itisthedutyholder,underCAR2006,whoisrequiredtomaketheriskassessmentusingtheirdetailedknowledgeoftheactivitiescarriedoutinthepremises.
130ThecombinedmaterialandpriorityassessmentresultsshouldbeusedtoestablishthepriorityforthoseACMsneedingremedialactionandthetypeofactionthatwillbetaken.Therearevariousremedialoptionsavailable:inmanycasestheACMscanbeprotectedorenclosed,sealedorencapsulated,orrepaired.Theseoptionsshouldbeconsideredfirst.Wheresuchactionsarenotpractical,ACMsshouldberemoved.FurtherinformationonriskassessmentsandmanagementofasbestosisavailableinA comprehensive guide to managing asbestos in premises.
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6 Survey report131ThesurveyreportisarecordoftheinformationcollectedataparticulartimeonthepresenceandconditionofACMs.Extremecareandattentionshouldbepaidtoproducingthereport,particularlyintransposingdata,asthedocumentwillbetheformalrecordofthesurvey.Itwillcontaintheinformationanddatathatwillbeusedtopreparetheriskassessmentandmanagementplanandtomakedecisionsandjudgementsontheneedforactions.Errorsinthereportcouldleadtoincorrectconclusionsandinappropriatedecisions.
132Thereportshouldbecompletedinawrittenformat,suppliedeitherasahardcopyorasanelectronicdocument,orboth.Itshouldbecomprehensibletoandusablebytheclient.Inparticular,theinformationinthesurveyreportshouldbeeasyfortheclienttoextractandtousetoprepareanasbestosregister,egbypresentingtheresultsinamannerorformatthatcanbedirectlyliftedoremployedtoformtheasbestosregister.Thereportshouldcontaintheresultsofsampleanalyses.Thesurveyreportshouldcontainthefollowingsections:
■■ executivesummary;■■ introductioncoveringthescopeofwork;■■ generalsiteandsurveyinformation;■■ surveyresults(includingmaterialassessmentresults);■■ conclusionsandactions;■■ bulkanalysisresults.
133Thedesign,layout,contentandsizeofthereportareveryimportant.Largereportscanbeunwieldyandevenintimidating.Clientsaremostinterestedinthesummary,results,conclusionsandactions.Inhard-copydocuments,itcanbeusefultoseparatethereportintodifferentparts,withthebulkanalysisresultsandtheindividualsurveyresults,particularlyifdisplayedwithaccompanyingphotographs,containedinseparatedetachableappendices.
Executive summary
134Theexecutivesummaryshouldbrieflydescribethescope,typeandextentofthesurveyanditshouldsummarisethemostimportantinformation,including:
■■ thelocationswithidentified(orpresumed)ACMs;■■ areasnotaccessed(whichshouldbespecifictothesurveyandnotgeneric);■■ ACMswithhighmaterialassessmentscores;■■ clearnotesonanyactions(andpriorities).
Introduction
135Theintroductionshouldexplainthescopeoftheworkandthepurpose,aimsandobjectivesofthesurvey.Itshouldalsocontainadescriptionofthenatureandageofthebuilding(s)(orotherstructures)plusconstructiontype.
General site information
136Generalsiteandsurveyinformationshouldinclude:
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■■ thenameandaddressoftheorganisation;■■ thenamesofthesurveyors;■■ thenameandaddressofthepersonwhocommissionedthesurvey;■■ thenameandaddressofthepremisessurveyed;■■ thedateofthereport;■■ thedateofthesurvey;■■ adescriptionoftheareasincludedinthesurvey;■■ adescriptionofanyareasexcludedinthesurvey;■■ thesurveymethodused(thispublicationand/orotherdocumented
procedures);■■ thetypeofsurveyundertaken(managementorrefurbishment/demolition)and,if
morethanonetypeisused,wheretheyapplywithinthepremises;■■ anyvariationsordeviationsfromthemethod;and■■ agreedexclusionsandinaccessibleareas(withreasons)whichshouldbe
specifictothesurveyandnotgeneric.
Survey results
137Thesurveyresultsshouldbesummarisedintableformatandasasetofmarked-upplans(diagrams)showingthelocationofACMsandpresumedACMs.Thesummarytableshouldcontainthefollowinginformation:
■■ locationoftheACMs(egbuildingidentifier,floornumberorlevel,roomidentifierandposition);
■■ extentoftheACMs(area,length,thicknessandvolume,asappropriate);■■ producttype(seeAppendix2);■■ levelofidentificationoftheACM(presumed,stronglypresumedoridentified);
and■■ asbestostypeintheACM(egchrysotile,amosite,crocidolite).
138Foramanagementsurvey(andrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveyswheretheworkisnotimminent),thefollowingadditionalinformationshouldbeprovided:
■■ accessibilityoftheACM;■■ amountofdamageordeterioration;■■ surfacetreatment(ifany);■■ thematerialassessmentscoreorcategory(high,medium,loworverylow);■■ anyactionsrequiredfromthematerialassessment.
139Table1showsthepresentationofsurveyresults.Thisformatcanbeeasilyincorporateddirectlyintotheasbestosregister.Figure5showsanexampleofamarked-upbuildingplan.
140Theinformationintheresultstableshouldbepresentedonanindividualroombasis.Anyroomsorareasnotaccessedandpresumedtocontainasbestosshouldbeincludedintheresultstable.Ifapriorityassessmenthasbeenincluded,thepriorityscoresshouldbelistedandanyactionsrequiredhighlighted.(Note:thepriorityassessmentshouldonlybecarriedoutinconsultationwiththeclientordutyholder,whomustprovideaccurateinformationonalltheactivitiescarriedoutonthepremises.)
141Wheresuspectmaterialisprovednottobeasbestos,bysamplingorothermeans,thisshouldberecordedinaseparatetable.Thiswillhelpinanyfuturedebateoverthenatureofthesematerials.
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Address Date
Location Product
type
Extent Accessibility Condition Surface
treatment
Asbestos
type
Sample
no
Sampled/
presumed/
strongly
presumed
Material
assessment
score and
action
Priority
score
Action
Store
room2,
BC408
ceiling
AIB Whole
ceiling
120m2
Medium Good Painted
oneface
only
Amosite 1 Sampled4
samples
5 12
Store
room2,
BC408
firedoor
Asbestos
board
ondoor
carcass
(AIB)
21m2 Medium Good Encapsul-
atedby
woodin
door
Amosite 2 Sampled1
sample
5 12
Meeting
room2,
BC412,
ceiling
Asbestos
ceiling
tiles(AIB)
5m2 Medium Good Painted
oneface
only
Amosite 3 Sampled1
sample
5 13
Canteen,
BC410,
linoon
floor
Cushion
floor
(paper)
5m2 Easy Good-
damageto
edge
Covered
byvinyl
Chrysotile 4 Sampled1
sample
4 11
Corridor,
BC411,
electrical
switch
box
Woven
cloth
Possibly
4items
Medium Medium Unsealed Chrysotile 5 Strongly
presumed
8 14
remove
during
next
campaign
Plant
room2,
BC416,
liftmotor
Brake
shoes
2items Difficult Medium Unsealed Chrysotile 6 Strongly
presumed
4 10‘H’
Vacdust
Plant
room2,
BC416,
pipe
lagging
Pipe
insulation
24
linear
metres
Easy Good Sealed
and
labelled
Crocidolite
Amosite
Chrysotile
7 Sampled6
samples
8 14
remove
during
next
campaign
Plant
room2,
BC416,
wall
panels
Asbestos
panels
(AIB)
43m2 Easy Good 1face
sealedand
labelled
Chrysotile 8 Sampled4
samples
5 14
monitor
weekly
Material scores above 10 have high potential to release fibres
Table 1Summaryofsurveyresultsandformatforasbestosregister
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Figure 5 Asbestosbuildingplan
Conclusions and actions
142Theconclusionssectionshouldsummarisetheroomswhereasbestosispresentandtheproducts/itemswhichcontainasbestos(ieitshouldbean‘easyguide’fortheclient/dutyholder).Itshouldalsocontainalistofanyactionsidentifiedinthematerialassessment(orthepriorityassessmentifincluded)andindicatetheirurgency,egimmediate,middle/longerterm.
Bulk analysis results
143Thesurveyreportshouldalsoincludethecertificateofanalysisshowingtheresultsofthesamplestaken.Thisdatacanbelistedinanappendixwiththefollowinginformation:
■■ thenameandaddressofthelaboratorycarryingoutthebulkidentification;■■ areferencetothemethodused;■■ thelaboratory’scurrentUKASaccreditationforbulkasbestosanalysis/sampling
andaccreditationnumber;■■ atableorappendixsummarisingtheresultsofthebulkanalysis,including
asbestosfoundornotfoundandtypesidentified,bysampleidentifier;■■ datesthebulkanalysiswascarriedoutandreportedbythelaboratory;and■■ thenamesandsignaturesoftheanalystandanycountersigningperson.
CorridorBC407
Toilet 2BC417
Production roomBC418
Store room 1BC446
Toilet 1BC401
CorridorBC402
Toilet 3BC406
Meeting room 2BC412
Common areaBC419
Meeting room 1BC405
ReceptionBC403
CorridorBC411
CanteenBC410
KitchensBC409
Store room 2BC408
Plant room 2BC416
VestibuleBC414
Plant room 1BC415
Stairwell BC413
Stairwell BC404
Contains asbestos
Not accessed, presumed to contain asbestos
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144Photographscanbeveryinformativetotheclientandshouldbeincludedinthereport.Photographscanshowthematerialsampled,itsconditionandlocationanditssurroundingenvironment.Photographsprovideacontextforthesampleandcanassisttheclientinmanagingasbestosforexamplebyprovidingabenchmarkforthecomparisonofconditionovertime.Photographscanalsobeusedtoidentifytheactualsamplingpoints.Howeveritisimportantnottodominatethereportwithphotographs.Itisnotnecessarytohaveasinglepageperphotograph.Itisalsoworthnotingthatmuchofthedetailofphotographscanbeobscuredinphotocopiedreports.
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7 Dutyholder’s use of survey information145Thesurveyreportneedstomeettherequirementsoftheclientandcomplywiththetender/contractualobligations.Thereportshouldbefitforpurposeandtheclientshouldcheckthatthisisthecase.Thereforetheclientshouldexaminethereportandcarryoutanumberofcheckstomakesurethatthesurveyhasbeenadequateandthatthereportissuitableandaccurate.ThesechecksaresetoutinBox11.
Box 11: What the client/dutyholder should do to check the accuracy of the survey report
■■ Checkthereportagainsttheoriginaltender.■■ Checkforunagreedcaveatsordisclaimers.■■ Checkthatthesurveyisasrequested:Managementorrefurbishment/
demolition(oracombination).■■ Checkdiagramsandplansareclearandaccurate.■■ Checkallroomsandareashavebeenaccessed.■■ Checksufficientsampleshavebeentaken(usually1-2perarea/room)and
thatsamplenumbersarenotdisproportionate(egdominatedbyoneACMtype).
■■ ChecksamplenumbersreflectvariationsinthesameACMs,egdifferentceilingtilesinthesameroom.
■■ Checkforanyobviousdiscrepanciesandinconsistencies.
146Theinformationinthesurveyreportshouldbeusedtoformtheasbestosregisterwhichisakeycomponentofthemanagementplan.Thesurveyreportitselfwillgenerallynot betheasbestosregister.Theasbestosregisterwillbeasimplerdocumentandwillnotcontainmostoftheinformationinthesurveyreport,egthebulkanalysisresultsorsurveysiteinformation.Howevertheresultsinthesurveyreportshouldbepresentedinamannerorformatthatcanbedirectlyliftedoremployedtoformtheasbestosregister.Table1showsasampleasbestosregister.
147Theasbestosregisterisalivingdocumentwhichmustalwayscontaincurrentinformationonthepresenceandconditionofasbestos.Theregisterwillneedregularupdating.Thedutyholdershouldmake:
■■ deletionstotheregisterwhenasbestosisremoved;■■ additionstotheregisterwhennewareasaresampled;■■ changestotheregisteriftheconditionofACMshasalteredonrechecking.
148Theasbestosregistercanbeapaperorelectronicdocument/database.Itmustbeuptodateandaccessible,irrespectiveoftheform.Hardcopiesareusefulforeaseofinterrogationandmaysuitdutyholderswithsmallerandsimplerpremises.Electronicversionsareoftenmoreconvenientfordutyholderswithlargenumbersofproperties.Electronicdocumentscanbereadilyaccessibleandeasilyupdated.Electronicdocumentscanalsobeusedtorecordalltheremedialworkcarriedoutandtoprompttherelevantperson,egthebuildingmanager,tocarryoutandrecordanyfurtherinspectionsrequired.SomedatabasescanalsolinkdigitalpictureimagesofasampleandCADplans.Printedversionsofanelectronicdocumentwillusuallybeneededforcontractorsandothers.Thedistributionandcirculationofsuchdocumentswillneedtobecarefullymanagedtoensureonlycurrentversionsarereferenced.
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149Theasbestosregistermustbeavailabletothosewhoplanorinitiatemaintenanceandrelatedwork,soitcanbeconsultedbeforetheworkisauthorised.Theasbestosregistershouldbeconsultedforallworkwhichmaydisturbthefabricofthebuildingorinvolvethebuildingservices.Itincludessimpleandshortdurationworksuchassingleholedrillingorattachingitemstowalls.Theregistermustbekeptinconvenientlocations(egintheestatesorbuildingmanager’sorappointedperson’soffice)andbeeasilyaccessible.Informationonthepresenceofasbestosshouldbepassedtocontractorsasearlyaspossible(egatthetenderorengagementstageofwork)sothatappropriateprecautions,proceduresandcontrolscanbeemployed.Supplyingtheinformationortheregistertoacontractorwhentheyarriveonsitetodotheworkisunlikelytoprovidesufficienttimeforthecorrectcontrolarrangementstobeputintoplace.ThedutyholdershouldensurethatthecontractoracknowledgesthepresenceofACMsandwillimplementcontrols.Theregistershouldalsobeavailabletocontractorsandemployeesonrequest.
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Appendix 1: Refurbishment and demolition surveys1 Refurbishmentanddemolitionsurveysaretechnicallymorechallengingthanmanagementsurveys,astheirpurposeistoidentifyallACMswithinaparticularbuildingareaorwithinthewholepremises,sotheycanberemoved.Manybuildingshavebeenindividuallydesignedwiththeirownlayoutandmaterials.Theremayhavebeennumerousrefurbishmentsandmodificationsovertheyears,withmanychangesandalterationstothebuildingstructureandappearance,eg‘false’floors,ceilingsandwalls,concealedandhiddenareasandsurfacetreatments.Buildingdrawingsmaynothavebeenupdated.Managementsurveyswillnothaveaccessedstructurallocations(egbehindconcreteorbetweenfloorsandwallssuchascavitywalls).Thelevelofcompetencyandknowledgeneededforrefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveys(egonconstructionbuildingtechniques)ismuchgreaterthanformanagementsurveysandtheintrusivenaturepresentsmorehealthandsafetyhazards.
2 Thisappendixprovidesadditionalpracticalguidancetohelpcompleterefurbishmentanddemolitionsurveys.Itprovidesdetailsofspecificareaswhichshouldbeinspectedinarefurbishmentordemolitionsurvey(butnotethatthelistisnotexhaustive).Theguidancealsotriestodescribetheseareasandillustratehowtocollectsamples.Theseitemsarein additiontothosenormallyfoundinamanagementsurvey.
3 Inmanyinstances,accesswillberequiredintothefabricofthebuildingandvariousitemssuchasbrickwork,timber,boardsandpanelsetcwillhavetoberemovedorbrokeninto.Inthesecircumstances,itmaybehelpfultoseekprofessionalhelponsuchactivities/workfromajoiner,builder,maintenanceworker,engineerorotherappropriateperson.Insomesituations,whereconcreteistobesampledorbrickworkremoved,advicemayhavetobesoughtfromacompetentperson,suchasastructuralengineer.
Textured coatings
4 ThemoreexplicitguidanceinWork with materials containing asbestosonremovalofACMsfrombuildingsbeforedemolitionappliesdirectlytotexturedcoatings.ACMsshouldonlyberemovedbeforedemolitionifitisreasonablypracticable.Inmanycasesitwillnotbereasonablypracticabletoremovetexturedcoatingsbeforedemolitionastheremovalisresource-intensive/time-consumingandinvolvesotherrisks,egwheretexturedcoatingsareattacheddirectlytosubstratessuchasconcreteorlath.However,wheretexturedcoatingsareattachedontomaterialswhichcanbeessentiallyremovedintactorwhole,egplasterboardsheets,thenremovalmaybereasonablypracticable,egbyremovingwholesheetsintact.Thesurveyshouldidentifythenatureofthesubstrateandwhethertexturedcoatingremovalwillberequired.Texturedcoatingremovalwillbenecessarywhererefurbishmentistakingplace.
Areas to be examined ‘No access’ areas from previous survey 5 All‘noaccess’areasonprevioussurveys(ifavailable)mustbeaccessedwithsuitableaccessequipmentandprocedures.
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Suspended ceilings6 Suspendedceilingsnotpreviouslyaccessed(egAIBtilesscrewedtowoodenbattens)mustbeentered,bymeansofanenclosureandairlocksystemconstructedbyalicensedasbestos-removalcontractor.Thisworkislikelytoexceedtheshort-termexemptionundertheApprovedCodeofPracticeWork with materials containing asbestosandwillthereforebenotifiabletotherelevantenforcingauthority.
7 Iftheworkisdeemedtobeshortdurationandnon-licensed,ieitmeetstheshort-termexemption(aswellastheothercriteria)undertheApprovedCodeofPracticeWork with materials containing asbestos(ietotaltimelessthantwohourswithnoonepersonworkingformorethanonehour),thentheworkmaybedonebyacompetentnon-licensedcontractorusingappropriatecontrolmeasures(egAsbestos essentials).17However,alicensedcontractorisstronglyrecommended.
8 Suspendedceilingvoidsareoftenveryclutteredandfullofventilationducting,pipeworkandcables.Ifseveralentrypointsarerequiredormorethanonevoidistobeinspected,theworkwillprobablybenotifiableandrequirealicensedasbestos-removalcontractor.
9 TheceilingvoidmaycontainasbestosdebrisandotherACMssuchassprayedcoating,pipeinsulation,olderceilingsabovethelatestone,damagedfirebreaksetc.AllACMsinthevoidwillneedtobelocated.
Partition walls (plasterboard/AIB sandwich) 10 Wallsmaynotbeuniformandmayhaveundergonepartialreplacement.Allsectionsofapartitionwallwillneedtobeexamined,unlessdocumentaryevidenceconfirmsthattheywereerectedatatimewhenACMswouldnothavebeenusedortheoriginalspecificationconfirmsthatACMswerenottobeused.Visualinspectionwillnotbeenoughonitsown.Iftheevidenceisthatthewallswereerectedataspecifictimeandthatnorefurbishmentoralterationhastakenplace,thenanappropriateproportionofthesectionsshouldbeexamined.
11 Thejointsbetweenpartitionpanelsmaycontainasbestosropefireseals.Theropemayonlybeapparentwhentheoutertrim(egaluminium)isremoved.
Cavity walls12 Althoughlooseasbestoswasnotknowntobeusedasacavityinsulationmaterial,wallcavitiesshouldbeinspectedwithanendoscopetocheckforthepresenceofanyasbestosmaterialsordebrissuchasAIB.Entrypointsshouldbeagreedwithacompetentperson,egabuilder,joinerorstructuralengineer.
13 Wallsshouldalsobeexaminedthoroughlywhereinsulatedheatingpipespassthroughbrickorbreezeblockwalls.Checkforinsulationorresidueswithinthewallcavityitself.
Apertures (doors, windows etc)14 Cavityclosers(usuallyAC)aresometimesfoundaroundairbricks,windowsetc.Allaperturesshouldbeconsideredandexaminedthoroughly.
15 WindowframescommonlyhadAIBpackersorspacerswherethewindowframewasattachedtothebrickwall.Asbestosropesealsasfirebreaksarealsofound.
16 Doorframes(particularlyaroundfiredoors)shouldbeinspectedforAIBpackerswheretheframeisfittedintothedoorway.Thearchitraveswillneedtoberemoved.
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Floors17 Carpetsandtilesmustbelifted.Thefloortileadhesivesalsofrequentlycontainedasbestos.
18 Floorductsortrenchesmustbeaccessedandinspectedforshuttering,services,pipeinsulation,firestops,debrisetc.Theinspectionincludestheductcoveritself,whichmayhaveACorAIBshuttering.Thefulllengthofeachductwillneedtobeinspected,unlessitisclearthatasbestospipeinsulationispresentthroughout,whentheentireruncanbetreatedascontainingasbestos.
19 Floorboardsmustbeliftedtoexaminethevoidbelow.Sufficientboardsmustbeliftedtoensurethatthewholefloorvoidisexaminedforlooseasbestos,AIBdebris,packers,fireprotection,electriccablesetc.ItmaybenecessarytoinspecttheendsofthejoistsforAIBpacking.
20 Slab(pouredconcrete)floorsareknowntocontainAIBorACwhichwasusedasanexpansionjointorshutteringbelowthesurface.Thesemayonlybefoundbydrillingcoresamplesthroughtheslab.Thiswillneedspecialistadviceonthestructuralconsiderationsandontheequipmentneededtocarryoutthistypeofinvestigation.
21 ACsleeveswereusedwherecablesorpipesrunthroughaslabfloor,althoughtheseshouldbevisibleatthesurface.
Ducts22 Servicerisers,includingfirestopsbetweenfloors,ifnotinvestigatedunderaprevioussurvey,mustbeinspected.Liftshaftsmustbeinspected,includingthepitatthebottomoftheshaft.VentilationshaftsorductshavebeenseenwithasbestosacousticattenuatorsandwithdebrisfromassortedACMs.Ventilationtrunkingshouldalsobeexamined.
Cladding23 ColumnsorstanchionsmayhavebeenoriginallyprovidedwithfireprotectionfromAIBorsprayedcoating.Itmaybeconcealedbyover-claddingwithanon-asbestosboard(SupaluxorMasterboard),woodormetalsheet.Inspectallcolumns.
24 Externalcladdingoftilesorslates(whichmayormaynotbeasbestos)willusuallyconcealamoisturemembranebasedonabituminousACMandpossiblyAIBpanels.
Debris in boiler room areas25 Thisshouldhavebeeninvestigatedduringaprevioussurvey(egoldType2survey)butitmaybenecessarytolookcloselyatwherepipespassthroughwalls,orinsumpsandgulleys,behindandunderneathtanksandotherplant.Inparticular,thewallsandfloorsshouldbeinspectedforinsulationdebris,whichmayhavebeenpaintedover.Allplantandelectricalequipmentmustbeinvestigated(whilecertifiedinasafecondition)(butseenoteonconsumerelectricalequipmentinparagraph96).
26 Itmaynotbepossibletolocatesomeorallofthedebrisuntiltheplant(tanksorboilers)hasbeenremoved.Itwillbenecessarytoremovetheplantundercontrolledconditionswithanappropriateplanofwork.Castironsectionalboilerswithasbestosbetweenthesections(orasaplinthundertheboiler)willneedtobedisassembledundercontrolledconditions.
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Debris underneath non-asbestos reinsulation27 Ifthedesk-topstudyrevealsthatasbestosinsulationhasbeenstrippedandreplaced,aproportionofthenewinsulationmustberemovedtoexaminetheextentofanyasbestosdebrisonthepipes,bolt-headsandflanges.Ifanyofthepipesareshowntohavefrequentoccurencesofasbestosdebris,thenitislikelythatthepipeswillhavetoberemovedasACMs.
Roof voids28 WhereRockwoolorvermiculiteloftinsulationispresentinaroofvoid,theareasunderneathitshouldbeinspected,particularlyifthereisevidenceofotherACMs,suchasAIBasfirebreaksetc.
29 Looseasbestosisveryoccasionallyfoundasloftinsulationinhousesaroundoldasbestosfactoriesordockyards.
Previously demolished areas: From the desk-top study30 Thedesk-topstudyshouldbeusedtoinvestigatewhetheranypreviousstructures(includingundergroundstructures)remainormayhavereleasedasbestosdebrisintothesoil.
31 Whetherthedesk-topstudyinformationisavailableornot,thesitemustbeinspectedvisuallytoidentifyobvioussignsofdemolitionworksandassociatedsurfaceasbestosdebris.Itmaybenecessarytotreattheexternalareaasacontaminatedsiteforinvestigationpurposes,inwhichcase,trenchesandpitsmayneedtobeexcavatedtoestablishtheextentofthedebris.
32 Thedesk-topstudywillneedtoincludereferencetooldplansfromhistoricalarchives,forexample.
Overspray debris from sprayed coatings33 Ifasprayedasbestoscoatingispresentorknowntohavebeenpresentatsometimeinthepast,theareamustbeinspectedcarefullyforthepresenceofdebrisandtoestablishtheextentandlocationofanyoverspray.
Use of AIB as packing and shuttering34 Dependingontheageofthebuilding,surveyorsneedtobevigilantinbuildingsconstructedinthe1960sand1970sfortheuseofAIBaspackingandshuttering.Thiswasfrequentlyusedsimplyasaconvenientpieceofboardandnotbecauseoftheneedforfireprotectionetc.Someoftheseapplicationsshouldhavebeenfoundunderaprevioussurvey(egoldType2survey).
Damp-proof course (DPC)35 AnyDPCwithasbestosshouldhavebeendetectedinaprevioussurvey(egoldType2survey).Itwillnotnormallybenecessarytoremovethisduringdemolition.
36 Itmustbeemphasisedthatthisisalistofcommonand/orfrequentlyfoundlocationswhichmustbeexamined.Itmustnotberegardedasexhaustiveorexclusive,andeachtypeofstructuremustbethoroughlyexaminedonitsownmerits.
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Appendix 2: ACMs in buildings listed in order of ease of fibre release
Asbestos product Location/use Asbestos and type/date
last used
Ease of fibre release and
product names
Loose insulation
Bulkloosefill,bulk
fibrefilled
mattresses,quilts
andblankets.Also
‘jiffybag’type
productsusedfor
soundinsulation.
Bulkloosefillinsulationisnowrarely
foundbutmaybeencountered
unexpectedly,egDIYloftinsulationand
firestoppackingaroundcablesbetween
floors.Mattressesandquiltsusedfor
thermalinsulationofindustrialboilerswere
filledwithlooseasbestos.
Paperbags/sackswerealsoloose-filled
andusedforsoundinsulationunderfloors
andinwalls.
Usuallypureasbestosexcept
forlining/bag.Mattresses
andquiltsusuallycontain
crocidoliteorchrysotile.
Acousticinsulationmay
containcrocidoliteor
chrysotile.
Looseasbestosmayreadily
becomeairborneifdisturbed.Ifdry,
thesematerialscangiverisetohigh
exposures.
Coversmaydeteriorateorbe
easilydamagedbyrepairworkor
accidentalcontact.
Sprayed coatings
Dryapplied,wet
appliedandtrowelled
finish.
Thermalandanticondensation
insulationonundersideofroofs
andsometimessidesof
industrialbuildingsand
warehouses.Acousticinsulationin
theatres,hallsetc.Fireprotectiononsteel
andreinforcedconcretebeams/columns
andonundersideof
floors.Oversprayoftargetareasis
common.
Sprayedcoatingsusually
contain55%–85%asbestos
withaPortlandcementbinder.
Crocidolitewasthemajortype
until1962.Mixtureoftypes
includingcrocidoliteuntil
mid–1971.Asbestosspray
applicationswereusedupto
1974.
Thesurfacehardness,textureand
easeoffibrereleasewillvary
significantlydependingonanumber
offactors.Sprayshaveahigh
potentialforfibrereleaseifunsealed,
particularlyifknockedorthe
surfaceisabradedordelaminates
fromtheunderlyingsurface.Dust
releasedmaythenaccumulateon
falseceilings,wiringandventilation
systems.
‘Limpet’(alsousedfornon-
asbestossprays).
Thermal insulation
Hand-appliedthermal
lagging,pipeand
boilerlagging,pre-
formedpipesections,
slabs,blocks.Also
tape,rope,
corrugatedpaper,
quilts,felts,and
blankets.
Thermalinsulationofpipes,boilers,
pressurevessels,calorifiersetc.
Alltypesofasbestoshave
beenused.Crocidolite
usedinlagginguntil1970.
Amositewasphasedoutby
themanufacturersduringthe
1970s.Contentvaries6-85%.
Variousadhocmixtureswere
handappliedonjointsand
bendsandpiperuns.Pre-
formedsectionswerewidely
used,eg‘85%magnesia’
contained15%
Theeaseoffibrereleaseoften
dependsonthetypeoflagging
usedandthesurfacetreatment.
Oftenitwillbeencapsulatedwith
calicoandpainted(egPVA,EVA,
latex,bitumenorproprietary
polymeremulsionsorPVC,
neoprenesolutions),eg‘Decadex’
finishisaproprietarypolymer
u
u
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Asbestos product Location/use Asbestos and type/date
last used
Ease of fibre release and
product names
Thermal insulation (continued)
amosite,‘Caposil’calcium
silicateslabsandblocks
contained8–30%amosite
while‘Caposite’sections
contained~85%amosite.
Blankets,felts,papers,tapes
andropeswereusually
~100%chrysotile.
emulsion.Aharderchemical-/
weatherresistantfinishisknownas
‘Bulldog’.
Asbestos boards
‘Millboard’. ‘Millboard’wasusedforgeneralheat
insulationandfireprotection.Alsoused
forinsulationofelectricalequipmentand
plant.
Crocidolitewasusedin
somemillboardmanufacture
between1896and1965;
usuallychrysotile.Millboards
maycontain37–97%
asbestos,withamatrixofclay
andstarch.
Asbestos‘Millboard’hasahigh
asbestoscontentandlowdensity
soisquiteeasytobreakandthe
surfaceissubjecttoabrasionand
wear.
Insulatingboard. Usedforfireprotection,thermaland
acousticinsulation,resistancetomoisture
movementandgeneralbuildingboard.
Foundinserviceducts,firebreaks,infill
panels,partitionsandceilings(including
ceilingtiles),roofunderlay,walllinings,
soffits,externalcanopiesandporch
linings.
Crocidoliteusedforsome
boardsupto1965,amosite
upto1980,when
manufactureceased.
Usually15–25%amositeor
amixtureofamositeand
chrysotileincalciumsilicate.
Olderboardsandsome
marineboardscontainupto
40%asbestos.
AIBcanbereadilybroken,giving
significantfibrerelease.Also
significantsurfacereleaseis
possiblebyabrasion,butsurface
isusuallypaintedorplastered.
Sawinganddrillingwillalsogive
significantreleases.‘Asbestolux’,
‘Turnasbestos’,‘LDR’,‘asbestos
wallboard’,‘insulationboard’.
Marineboardsknownas‘Marinite’
or‘Shipboard’.
Insulatingboardin
coresandliningsof
compositeproducts.
Foundinfiredoors,claddinginfillpanels,
domesticboilercasings,partition
andceilingpanels,ovenliningsand
suspendedfloorsystems.Usedas
thermalinsulationandsometimesas
acousticattenuators.
Crocidoliteusedfor
someboardsupto1965,
amositeupto1980,when
manufactureceased.16–40%
amositeoramixtureof
amositeandchrysotile.
Canbebrokenbyimpact;
significantsurfacerelease
possiblebyabrasion,butusually
paintedorplastered.Sawingand
drillingwillalsogivesignificant
releases.
‘Asbestolux’.
Caposil.
Paper, felt and cardboard
Usedforelectrical/heatinsulationof
electricalequipment.Alsousedinsome
air-conditioningsystemsasinsulationand
acousticlining.Asbestospaperhasalso
beenusedtoreinforcebitumenandother
productsandasafacing/liningtoflooring
products,
Asbestospapercancontain
~100%chrysotileasbestos
butmaybeincorporatedasa
lining,facingorreinforcement
forotherproducts,egroofing
feltanddamp-proofcourses,
steelcompositewallcladding
androofing(seeasbestos
Papermaterials,ifnot
encapsulated/combinedwithinvinyl,
bitumen,orbondedinsomeway,
caneasilybedamagedandrelease
fibreswhensubjecttoabrasionor
wear(egwornflooringsurfacewith
paperbacking).Asbestospaper,
asbestosfelt,‘Novilon’
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Asbestos product Location/use Asbestos and type/date
last used
Ease of fibre release and
product names
Paper, felt and cardboard (continued)
combustibleboards,flame-resistant
laminate.Corrugatedcardboardhasbeen
usedforductandpipeinsulation.
bitumenproductsbelow),vinyl
flooring.Asbestospaperis
alsosometimesfoundunder
MMMFinsulationonsteam
pipes.
flooring,Durasteellaminates,vinyl
asbestostile,roofingfeltanddamp-
proofcourseetc.Paxfelt’.‘Viceroy’
(foilcoatedpaper).‘Serval’.
Textiles
Ropesandyarns. Usedaslaggingonpipes(seeabove),
jointingandpackingmaterialsandas
heat/fire-resistantboiler,ovenandflue
sealing.Caulkinginbrickwork.Plaited
asbestostubinginelectriccable.
Crocidoliteandchrysotilewere
widelyusedduetolengthand
flexibilityoffibres.Othertypes
ofasbestoshaveoccasionally
beenusedinthepast.
Chrysotilealonesinceatleast
1970.Asbestoscontent
approaching100%unless
combinedwithotherfibres.
Weavingreducesfibrereleasefrom
products,butabradingorcutting
thematerialswillreleasefibres,likely
todegradeifexposed,becoming
morefriablewithage.Ifusedwith
caulking,fibreswillbeencapsulated
andlesslikelytobereleased.
Cloth. Thermalinsulationandlagging(see
above),includingfire-resistingblankets,
mattresses,protectivecurtains,gloves
apronsandoveralls.Curtains,glovesetc
weresometimesaluminisedtoreflect
heat.
Alltypesofasbestoswere
used.Sincethemid-1960s
thevastmajorityhavebeen
chrysotile.Asbestoscontent
approaching100%.
Fibresmaybereleasedifmaterialis
abraded.
Gasketsand
washers.
Usedwidelyindomesticandindustrial
plantandpipesystemsrangingfrom
hotwaterboilerstoindustrialpowerand
chemicalplant.
Variablebutusuallyaround
90%asbestos,crocidolite
usedforacidresistanceand
chrysotileforchlor-alkali.
Somegasketmaterials
continuedtobeusedafter
asbestosprohibitionin1999
(throughexemption).
Maybedryanddamageeasily
whenremoved.Mainlyaproblem
formaintenanceworkers.‘Klingerit’,
‘Lionjointing’,‘Permanite’,‘CAF’–
compressedasbestosfibreor‘It’in
Germangaskets.
Strings. Usedforsealinghotwater
radiators.
Stringshaveasbestoscontent
approaching100%.
Friction products
Resin-based
materials.
Transport,machineryandlifts,usedfor
brakesandclutchplates.
30–70%chrysotileasbestos
boundinphenolicresins.
UseduptoNovember1999.
Normalhandlingwillproducelow
emissions.Minoremissionswhen
braking.Dustmaybuildupwith
frictiondebris.Grindingbrake
andclutchcomponentstofitand
brushingorblowingcleancan
producesignificant
peakairbornelevels.
Drivebelts/conveyor
belts.
Engines,conveyors. Chrysotiletextiles
encapsulatedinrubber.
Lowfriability,exceptwhenwornto
exposetextile.
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Asbestos product Location/use Asbestos and type/date
last used
Ease of fibre release and
product names
Cement products
Profiledsheets. Roofing,wallcladding.Permanent
shuttering,coolingtowerelements.
10–15%asbestos(some
flexiblesheetscontaina
proportionofcellulose).
Crocidolite(1950–1969)and
amosite(1945–1980)have
beenusedinthemanufacture
ofasbestoscement,
althoughchrysotile(useduntil
November1999)isbyfarthe
mostcommontypefound.
Likelytoreleaseincreasinglevels
offibresifabraded,handsawn
orworkedonwithpowertools.
Exposedsurfacesandacid
conditionswillremovecement
matrixandconcentrateunbound
fibresonsurfaceandsheetlaps.
Cleaningasbestos-containingroofs
mayalsoreleasefibres.
Asbestoscement,Traffordtile,
‘Bigsix’,‘Doublesix’,‘Supersix’,
‘Twintwelve’,‘Combinedsheet’,
‘Glensix’,‘3’and6’corrugated’,
‘Fort’,‘Monad’,‘Troughsec’,‘Major
tileandCanadatile’,‘Panelsheet’,
‘Cavitydecking’.
Semi-compressed
flatsheetand
partitionboard.
Partitioninginfarmbuildingsandinfill
panelsforhousing,shutteringinindustrial
buildings,decorativepanelsforfacings,
bathpanels,soffits,liningstowallsand
ceilings,portablebuildings,propagation
bedsinhorticulture,domesticstructural
uses,firesurrounds,compositepanelsfor
fireprotection,weatherboarding.
Asforprofiledsheets.Also
10–25%chrysotileand
someamositeforasbestos
woodusedforfiredoorsetc.
Compositepanelscontained~
4%chrysotileorcrocidolite.
Releaseasforprofiledsheets.Flat
buildingsheets,partitionboard,
‘Poilite’.
Fullycompressedflat
sheetusedfortiles,
slates,board.
Asabove,butwherestrongermaterials
arerequired,andasslates,board
cladding,deckingandroofslates(eg
rollerskatingrinks,laboratoryworktops).
Higherasbestoscontentsheetsproduced
forindustrialapplicationsasa
highgradearcandheat-resistantmaterial.
Asforprofiledsheets.
Upto50%chrysotile.
Releaseasforprofiledsheets.
Asbestos-containingroofingslate
(eg‘Eternit’,‘Turners’,‘Speakers’),
Everite’,‘Turnall’,‘DiamondAC’,
‘JMslate’,‘GlasalAC’,‘Emalie,
Eflex’,‘Colourglaze’,‘Thrutone’,
‘Weatherall’.‘Sindanyo’.
Pre-formedmoulded
productsand
extrudedproducts.
Cabletroughsandconduits.Cisterns
andtanks.Drainsandsewerpressure
pipes.Fencing.Fluepipes.Rainwater
goods.Roofingcomponents(fascias,
soffitsetc).Ventilatorsandducts.Weather
boarding.Windowsillsandboxes,bath
panels,drainingboards,extractionhoods,
copings,promenadetilesetc.
Asforprofiledsheets. Releaseasforprofiledsheets.
‘Everite’,‘Turnall’,‘Promenadetiles’.
Other encapsulated materials
Texturedcoatings. Decorative/flexiblecoatingsonwallsand
ceilings.
3–5%chrysotileasbestos.
Chrysotileaddedupto1984
butoldstockmayhavebeen
usedforseveralmoreyears.
Generallyfibresarewellcontained
inthematrixbutmaybereleased
whenoldcoatingissandeddownor
scrapedoff.‘Artex’,Wondertex’,
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Asbestos product Location/use Asbestos and type/date
last used
Ease of fibre release and
product names
Other encapsulated materials (continued)
Non-asbestosversionswere
availablefromthemid-1970s.
‘Suretex’,‘‘Newtex’,‘Pebblecoat’,
‘Marblecoat’.
Bitumenproducts. Roofingfeltsandshingles,semi-rigid
asbestosbitumenroofing.Gutterlinings
andflashings.Bitumendamp-proof
courses(dpc).Asbestos/bitumencoatings
onmetals(egcarbodyunderseals).
Bitumenmasticsandadhesives(usedfor
floortilesandwallcoverings).
Chrysotilefibreorasbestos
paper(approximately100%
asbestos)inbitumenmatrix,
usually8%chrysotile.Usedup
to1992.
Adhesivesmaycontainupto
afewpercent
chrysotileasbestos.Usedup
to1992.
Fibrereleaseunlikelyduringnormal
use.Roofingfelts,dpcandbitumen-
basedsealantsmustnotbeburnt
afterremoval.Seefeltsandpapers.
Flooring. Thermoplasticfloortiles.
PVCvinylfloortilesandunbackedPVC
flooring.
Asbestospaper-backedPVCfloors.
Magnesiumoxychlorideflooringusedin
WCs,staircasesandindustrialflooring.
Upto25%asbestos.
Normally7%chrysotile.
Paperbackingapproximately
100%chrysotileasbestos.
Usedupto1992.
About2%asbestos.
Fibrereleaseisunlikelytobea
hazardundernormalservices
conditions.Fibremaybereleased
whenmaterialiscut,andtheremay
besubstantialreleasewhereflooring
residue,
particularlypaperbacking,ispower-
sanded.‘Novilon’,‘Servalasbestos’.
Veryhard,fibrereleaseunlikely.
ReinforcedPVC. Panelsandcladding. 1–10%chrysotileasbestos. Fibrereleaseisunlikely.
Reinforced
plasticandresin
composites.
Usedfortoiletcisterns,seats,banisters,
windowseals,labbenchtops.
Plasticsusuallycontain1-10%
chrysotileasbestos.Some
amphiboleswereusedtogive
improvedacidresistance,
egcarbatteries.Resins
werereinforcedwithwoven
chrysotilecloth,usually
contain20–50%asbestos.
Fibresunlikelytobereleased,
limitedemissionsduringcutting.
‘Siluminite’,‘Feroasbestos’.
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Appendix 3: What ACMs look like and where to find them1Thisappendixgivesexamplesofthemaintypes,locationsandusesofACMsinpremises,tohelppeoplerecognisematerialswhichmaycontainasbestos.ThisisonlyasmallselectionoftherangeofACMsused,butshouldcovermanyofthemainusesofasbestosinpremises.
Loose asbestos insulation
2Somefiredoorscontainedlooseasbestosinsulationsandwichedbetweenthewoodenormetalfacingstogivethemtheappropriatefirerating.Looseasbestoswasalsopackedaroundelectricalcables,sometimesusingchickenwiretocontainit.Mattressescontaininglooseasbestoswerewidelymanufacturedforthermalinsulation.Acousticinsulationhasbeenprovidedbetweenfloorsbytheuseoflooseasbestosinpaperbags,andinsomeareasnearasbestosworksitisnotunknownforlooseasbestostohavebeenusedasareadilyavailableformofloftinsulation.
Figure 6 Looseasbestosusedasloftinsulation
Sprayed asbestos coatings
3Thesearenormallyhomogeneouscoatingssprayedortrowelledontoreinforcedconcreteorsteelcolumnsorbeamsasfireproofing.Sprayswerealsocommonlyusedontheundersideofceilingsforfireproofingandsoundandthermalinsulationinmanyhigh-risepremises.Warehousesandfactoriescommonlyhadsprayedasbestosappliedtowalls,ceilingsandmetalsupportstructuresforfireproofingandthermal/anti-condensationinsulationpurposes.Insomelargerspaces,sprayswerealsoappliedtowallsandceilingsforacousticanddecorativepurposes(theatres,cinemas,studios,hallsetc).Thedepthofthespraydependedonthefireratingandsubstrate,andmayvaryfrom10to150mmthick.Thedrysprayedcoatingsmayhaveacandyflossappearanceifleftuntamped(rarelyfoundintheUK).Thewetsprayed/trowelledcoatingsareusuallydenser,andthosewithhigherproportionsofPortlandcementthathavebeenwelltampedcanbequitehard.Surfacesmaybesealedwithanelasticisedpaintorproprietaryencapsulant,sometimesreinforcedwithcalicoormanmadefibremesh,orleftcompletelyunsealed.Spraycoatingsarevulnerabletoaccidentaldamageandalsotodelaminationduetowaterleakagereleasingdebrisontothefloorandotherhorizontalsurfaces.Oversprayontoareasandrecessessurroundingtheobjectthatwasbeingcoatediscommon.Spraycoatingsmayhavedeterioratedsignificantlysinceinstallationandmustbetreatedwithcaution.
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Figure 7 Sprayedlimpetoncarparkroof
Figure 8 SprayedcoatingonbuildingpassagewayFigure 10 Pipeinsulationwithcoating
Figure 9 LaggedpipeinwallcavityFigure 11 Amositelagginginverypoor
conditiononsteampipe
Figure 12 Laggingonlargepetrochemicalvessel Figure 13 Amositelaggedboilerwithhard
plasticcoating
Thermal insulation
4Asbestoswaswidelyusedtoinsulatepipes,boilersandheatexchangers.Thereareseveraltypesandformsofinsulation,oftenwithmulti-layerconstruction.Pre-formedsectionsofasbestosinsulationweremadetofitthediameterofthepipe.Thesewouldbestrappedonandcalico-wrappedandsometimespainted(eg‘Decadex’finish),orsealedwithahardplaster(oftenasbestos-containing)toprotectagainstknocksandabrasion.Othertypesofasbestos-containingfelts,blankets,tapes,ropesandcorrugatedpaperswerealsoused.Forbends,joins,
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smallsectionsofpipeandrepairs,anasbestos-containingplasterwaswet-mixedon-siteandhand-appliedtotheareas.Largerinstallationswerealsoinsulatedwithasbestos-containingplasterwhichwasmarketedas‘plastic’,butvariouslocalnameswereusedforthishand-appliedinsulation(eg‘muck’).Largerthicknessesofinsulationwouldusepre-formedblocks(eg‘Caposil’)wiredinplace,thenvariousothercoatingsorlayersapplied,dependingontheinsulationrequired.Veryhard-wearingcoatingswereknownas‘Bulldog’finishesandmaycontainmetalsheetsand/orchickenwirereinforcementbeneathahardplasterfinish.Externalpipesmayalsobecladwithsheetmetalorpaintedwithbitumenforadditionalweatherproofing.Installersoftenusedwhatevermaterialswereavailabletohandorinstock,soitisverycommontofindvariationsonthesamepipeorboiler.Payparticularattentiontobendsandvalves,orwhereitisevidentthatrepairshavebeenmade.
Millboard
5Millboardwasusedwhenalow-cost,relativelysoftlow-densityboardwithmodestmechanicalpropertiesbutwithgoodfire,insulation,thermalandelectricalpropertiescouldbespecified.Generallyfoundinindustrialpremises,buthasbeenusedasexteriorliningtoventilationductsandwascommonlyusedinsidefiredoors.
Figure 14 Asbestospanelsinsidefiredoor Figure 15 AIBpanelinporch
Asbestos insulating board (AIB)
6Widelyusedinpremisesforinternalpartitionwallsandliningsandforfireprotection,acousticandthermalinsulation.SuspendedceilingtileswereoftenmadefromAIB.Insulatingboardscomeinarangeofdensitiesandcanbesubjecttodamagebytheuseofmoderateforce(egkicking).Theremaybevariationsduetolaterconstructionofpartitionwallsaspartofaredevelopmentorrefurbishment.Allkindsofcombinationsarefoundandsurveyorsmustbealerttoallpossibilities.Areasaroundliftshafts,stairwellsandservicerisersinmultistoreybuildingswerecommonlylinedorfacedwithAIBorcomposites.Similarly,areasaroundgasfiresandcentralheatingboilerswerealsoconstructedfromAIB.FiredoorswerealsofacedwithAIBtoachievetheappropriatefirerating.AIBisusuallyfoundinsidepremises,butweather-protectedexteriorareas,suchasporchesandsoffits,maycontainAIB.
Figure 16 AIBexteriorpaintedpanel Figure 17 AIBceilingtiles
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Figure 18 AIBexteriorpanelonopenwalkwayFigure 19 AIBbehindschoolradiator
unit
Figure 20 AIBpanelbetweenFigure 21 AIBcolumnfire Figure 22 AIBoffcutsused
radiatorandwindow protectioninCLASPbuilding aspackersaroundcolumn
inCLASPbuilding
AIB in composite materials
7AIBwasusedincompositematerialsandmaybesandwichedbetweenorsurfacedwithnon-asbestosproductssuchasstrawboard,plywood,metalmesh,sheetmetalandplasterboard.
Figure 23 AIBfasciapanelswithwoodeffectfinish
Asbestos papers, felts and cardboard
8Air-conditioningtrunkingmaybeinsulatedinternallywith‘Paxfelt’orexternallywithotherasbestos-containingfelt,cardboardandpaperforacousticandheatinsulation.Asbestospaperswerewidelyusedtolinethesurfacesofotherboards,ceilingtilesandsheetmaterials.
Figure 24 Chrysotilepaperonfibreboardboxing Figure 25Chrysotilepaperon
strawboardceilingpanels
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Asbestos textiles
9Asbestostextilesweremanufacturedforprimaryheat(eginsulationtapesandropes)orfireprotectionuses(egfireblankets,firecurtains,fire-resistantclothing).Textileswerealsousedwidelyasareinforcingmaterialinfrictionproducts/composites.
Figure 26 Asbestosropesealondryingoven Figure 27 Amositeasbestosrope
packingonriserdoorframe
Figure 28 Asbestosropelaggingtoboiler Figure 29 Chrysotileclothonpipes
thermometer
Figure 30 Amositeandchrysotilepackingonwastepipes
Asbestos gaskets, washers and strings
10Awiderangeofasbestosgasketshavebeenproducedandusedforsealingpipeandvalvejointsinindustrialplant,buttheymayalsobefoundinsomeolderdomesticboilersetc.Asbestosstringwaswidelyusedinthepastbyplumbersforsealingvariousscrewthreadjoints.
Figure 31 Chrysotilestringonskylights
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Asbestos cement sheets and tiles used for roofing and cladding
11Asbestoscement(AC)hasbeenextensivelyusedforroofingandexteriorcladdingonindustrial,publicandsomedomesticpremises.Corrugated/profilesheetsarecommonlyfound,butflatsheetshavealsobeenwidelyusedforexteriorandsomeinteriorcladding(egpanelsbelowwindowsandonwallsinolderprefabricatedhousing).
Figure 32 AsbestoscementroofandwallcladdingFigure 33 Chrysotilepebble-dashexteriorwall
coating
Moulded asbestos cement products
12AwiderangeofmouldedcompressedACproductshavebeenusedinsidepremises(egwastepipes,coldwatertanks,fluesetc)andoutsidepremises(eggutters,downpipes,flues,cowlsetc).Manyotheritemshavebeenmouldedfromasbestoscement.Asbestoscementpipesarealsousedunderground(egfromlocaldrainagetoregionalwatersupplysystems).
Figure 34 Asbestoscementboilerflue Figure 35 Asbestoscement
downpipe
Textured coatings, paints and plasters used for decorative effects
13Thesewereoftenmanufacturedcontaininguptoafewpercentofasbestos.‘Artex’,‘Wondertex’,‘Suretex’,‘Newtex’,‘Pebblecoat’and‘Marblecoat’areexamplesoftypicaltradeproducts,whichusuallycontainedafewpercentofchrysotileasbestos.
Figure 36 Asbestostexturedcoatingonceiling
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Figure 37 Asbestostexturedcoatingonwall
Bitumen products
14Bitumen-basedroofingfeltsanddamp-proofcourseshavebeenwidelyreinforcedbytheadditionofasbestos,usuallyintheformofchrysotilepaper.Bitumen-basedwallandfloorcoveringswerealsoproduced.Somemasticsusedtostickthebitumenproductscommonlyhadasbestosaddedtothemtoprovideflexibility.Othersealantsalsohadasbestosaddedtoimprovetheperformanceoftheproduct.
Figure 38 Chrysotile/bitumencoatingundermetalcladding
Flooring products
15Polyvinylchloride(PVCorvinyl)tilesweremanufacturedwithaddedasbestostomeetaBritishStandardandoftencontainafewpercent(5–7%)ofveryfinechrysotile.Blackandbrownthermoplastictilescontaininglargeramountsandoftenvisibleclumpsofchrysotilewerealsoproduced.Sheetfloorcoveringsweresometimesbackedwithathinlayerofchrysotilepaper(eg‘Novilon’,avinylflooring,whichwasmorecommoninEurope).Someunderfeltsforcarpetsandlinoleumwerealsomanufacturedcontainingasbestos.Themasticswhichwereusedtobondthefloorcoveringtothesurfacecouldalsocontainasbestos.Somehard-wearingcompositefloors(egmagnesiumoxychloride)alsocontainabout2%ofmineralfibreswhichcouldbeasbestos.
Figure 39 Asbestos-containingvinylfloortiles
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Asbestos-reinforced plastic/resin composites and friction products
16Asbestos-reinforcedplasticsandresincompositematerialwereusedforwindowsills,cappingforbanisters,schoolandlaboratoryworktops,toiletcisternsetc.Thematerialisoftenblackandhasahighdensityandscratchresistance.Asbestostextileswerewidelyusedasareinforcingmaterialinfrictionproducts(egconveyorandfanbelts,brakeandclutchlinings).Olderasbestos-containingcomponentsmaystillbeinuseorpresentinvehiclerepairandmaintenanceworkshopsandstores.
Figure 40 Asbestos-reinforcedtoiletcistern Figure 41 Asbestosbrakeliningsforquarry
vehicles
Figure 42 Asbestosbrakeliningonoutputshaft
ofACmotor
Metal-asbestos composites
17Fluesforwood-burningstoveswerecommonlyconstructedfromametal-asbestoswheretheasbestoswasaddedasinsulationbetweentheinnerandouterlayersofstainlesssteeltogiveahighdegreeofinsulationwhenpassingthroughfloorsandontheoutsidetopreventsuddencoolingofthefluegases.‘Durasteel’metalpanelswereusedtoprovideastrongconstructionwithacertaindegreeofinsulation,byincorporatingalayerofasbestospaper.
Figure 43 Metalcladgasfluecontainingchrysotilelining
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Wall jointing tapes and fillers
18Chrysotiletextiletapesandwebbingwereusedtoreinforcewalljointsbeforeplastering.Severaltypesofwallplugsandsomewallrepairfillershadasbestosaddedtogiveadditionalstrengthandflexibility.Theseareverydifficulttolocateastheyareintegratedintotheplasterfinish.
Figure 44 Chrysotile‘scrim’tapes
Domestic appliances and products
19Manydomesticappliancesandproductscontainasbestosinsulationmaterialsforthermalorelectricalinsulation,includingironingboards,hairdryers,ovenseals,simmeringplatesetc.SomeolderelectricfiresandstorageradiatorsandoldgasfireswithcatalyticelementsorcoalorlogeffectgasfiresalsocontainedACMs.
Figure 45‘Durasteel’compositesteeland Figure 46 Asbestostapeflash
asbestosfiredoor guardsinafusebox
Figure 47 Asbestos-containingcommercialhairdryer
Industrial sites, factories and plant
20Industrialsites(egrefineries,powerstations,warehousesandfactories)oftencontainsubstantialamountsofasbestos.Manyoftheexamplesgivenforspray,thermalinsulationandpipelaggingcomefromindustry.Higher-performanceACMswereusuallyspecifiedtocopewiththehighertemperaturesandpressures
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prevalentatindustrialsites.Somemachinerymayalsoincorporateasbestosgasketsandfrictionproducts(egclutches,brakepads,drivebeltsandconveyorbelts).Thehigherpowerrequirementsofindustryalsosawincreaseduseofasbestosinsulationinelectricalcablesandswitchgear.
Figure 48 Asbestos-insulatedsupplypipes Figure 49 Electricalswitchgearwith
asbestosflashprotection
Figure 50 OpenelectricalswitchboardwithFigure 51 Vesselcladinamositeinsulationasbestosflashguards
Where am I likely to find
asbestos materials?
Normally non-licensed materials
1 ACproducts
2Texturedcoatings
3Floortiles,textilesandcomposites
Normally licensed materials
4Sprayedcoatingsonwalls,beams/
columns
5AIB
6Lagging
7Looseasbestosinceilingorfloor
cavity
Figure 52 Typicallocationsforthemostcommonasbestosmaterial
Note: This diagram does not show all
possible uses and locations of asbestos
materials. A detailed survey will be required
to identify all asbestos materials in a building.
FIREDOOR
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Appendix 4: Material assessment algorithm
Sample variable Score Examples of scores (see notes for more detail)
Producttype
(ordebrisfromproduct)
1 Asbestos-reinforcedcomposites(plastics,resins,mastics,roofingfelts,vinylfloortiles,semi-
rigidpaintsordecorativefinishes,asbestoscementetc).
2 AIB,millboards,otherlow-densityinsulationboards,asbestostextiles,gaskets,ropesand
woventextiles,asbestospaperandfelt.
3 Thermalinsulation(egpipeandboilerlagging),sprayedasbestos,looseasbestos,asbestos
mattressesandpacking.
Extentofdamage/deterioration 0 Goodcondition:novisibledamage.
1 Lowdamage:afewscratchesorsurfacemarks,brokenedgesonboards,tilesetc.
2 Mediumdamage:significantbreakageofmaterialsorseveralsmallareaswherematerialhas
beendamagedrevealinglooseasbestosfibres.
3 Highdamageordelaminationofmaterials,spraysandthermalinsulation.Visibleasbestos
debris.
Surfacetreatment 0 Compositematerialscontainingasbestos:reinforcedplastics,resins,vinyltiles.
1 Enclosedspraysandlagging,AIB(withexposedfacepaintedorencapsulated)asbestos
cementsheetsetc.
2 UnsealedAIB,orencapsulatedlaggingandsprays.
3 Unsealedlaggingandsprays.
Asbestostype 1 Chrysotile.
2 Amphiboleasbestosexcludingcrocidolite.
3 Crocidolite.
Total
Score Potential to release asbestos fibres
10ormore High
7-9 Medium
5-6 Low
4orless Verylow
Non-asbestos materials have no potential to release asbestos fibres
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Appendix 5: Example of a survey and sampling equipment checklistSurvey equipment
■■ Siteplan.■■ Logbook,organiser,computer.■■ Stepladder.■■ Camera(filmordigital)withflashandpreferably■■ withadateandnumberfacility.■■ Torch.■■ Accesskeystoroomsandcovers.■■ Screwdrivers.
PPE for sampling
■■ Disposableoveralls(hooded).■■ DisposableovershoesorWellingtonboots.■■ Disposablegloves.
Bulk sampling equipment
■■ Pliers.■■ Screwdrivers.■■ Coresamplersorcorkborers.■■ Aluminiumfoilorclothtape.■■ Stanleyknifewithspareblades.■■ Hand-spraywithdilutedPVAorsurfactant.■■ Samplebags(polytheneself-sealbags).■■ Samplepointlabels.■■ TypeHvacuum.■■ Asbestoswastebagsoftheapprovedtype.■■ Warningsigns:‘Asbestossampling:Keepclear’.■■ Wetwipesandtissues.■■ Polythenesheeting.
RPE
■■ Asperassessment.
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Appendix 6: Quality assurance and quality control1Allorganisationsprovidinganasbestossurveyingservice(including‘soletraders’)shouldhaveanadequatequalitymanagementsystem,includingqualitycontrolofsurveywork.OrganisationsaccreditedunderUKAStoISO/IEC17020willalreadyhaveappropriatequalitymanagementschemesinplace.
2Non-accreditedorganisations(includingsurveyorsholdingrecognisedpersonnelcertification)shouldalsoimplementaneffectivequalitymanagementsystemtosupporttheirwork.QualitymanagementsystemsaresetoutinISO/IEC17020(orISO9001asaminimum).
3Thefollowingparagraphsoutlinethreeoftheessentialcomponentsofaqualitymanagementsystem.Soletradersarenotexemptfromtheneedtohavesuchasystemandshouldimplementself-checkingversions(orotherworkingarrangements)forqualityassuranceandcheckingsurveyreports.Itshouldbepossibletoengageanindependentorganisationtoconductanannualauditofcompletedsurveys.Allsurveyingorganisationsshouldhavewrittenqualitymanagementproceduresandkeeprecordsoftheirauditsandchecks.
Quality assurance for site work
4Aproportionofsurveysshouldbe‘reinspected’(ierechecked)whilethesurveyisstillinprogress.Itisrecommendedthatabout5%ofallsurveysarereinspected.Theprocessofsiteselectionisatthediscretionoftheorganisation,butthesystemshouldensurethatthesitesselected:
■■ arerepresentativeofthedifferenttypesofsurveythattheorganisationperforms;
■■ arerepresentativeofthedifferenttypesofpremisessurveyed;■■ coverallthesurveyorsemployed.
5Inspectionsorauditsofnewlyqualifiedorrecentlyemployedsurveyorsshouldbemorefrequentuntilitcanbeestablishedthattheyarecapableofconsistentlyworkingtotherequiredstandards.
6Insomesituationsitmaynotbepractical(egverylargesurveys)toreinspectthewholesite.Inthesecircumstancesarepresentativepartofthesiteshouldbere-examined.
7Thesurveyreinspectionwillinvolvecheckingallaspectsofthesiteworkusingtherecordeddata,samplesandphotographstoensure:
■■ noACMsorsuspectACMswereomittedfromtherecordeddata;■■ allrecordedACMsandsuspectACMswerevalid;■■ wheresuspectACMshavebeen‘presumed’or‘stronglypresumed’,the
presumptionofasbestostypeisvalid;■■ allidentifiersforrecords,samplenumbersandphotographnumbers
correspondandareunique;■■ allareasinspectedwerecorrectlyandunambiguouslyidentified;■■ all‘noaccess’areaswerevalidandwerecorrectlyandunambiguously
identified;
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■■ allmaterialtypesforACMsandsuspectACMswerecorrectlylisted;■■ allrecordedACMsandsuspectACMswerecorrectlyanduniquelylocated;■■ allquantitiesofmaterialsandsuspectACMswerecorrectlyassessed;■■ thecorrectassessmentshavebeenmadeandrecordedfor:
– asbestosproducttype;– surfacetreatment;– damage;– accessibility(vulnerability);
■■ adequatenumbersandsizesofsampleswerecollected,correctlylabelledandindividuallydoublebagged;
■■ adequatecleaninghasoccurredaftersampling;and■■ samplingsiteshavebeenmadegoodintheagreedmannerandinaccordance
withtheplanofwork.
(Whereomissions,deficienciesorerrorsareidentified,thereshouldbearrangementsinplacetorectifythesituationincludingretrainingandsupervisionofpersonnelwhereappropriate.)
Audit of completed surveys
8Thereshouldbeanannualauditofthemanagementsystemsandproceduresinplace.Itwouldnormallybeadesk-topaudit(asthesitemayhavechangedfromtheoriginalsurvey,egundergonerefurbishment.Howeverafullsitere-surveymaybenecessaryif,forexample,significantanomalieswerediscovered).Theauditsshouldincludereviewing:
■■ reportformats,structureandcontent;■■ rawdatatranspositionintoreport;■■ authorisationorapprovalofreportchecker,surveyor–theirauthorisations,
trainingrecordsandqualificationsetc;■■ contractreview–documentedrecordsoftheclient’sinstructions–ensurethat
thereportmeetstheseinfull;■■ recordsandstorageofrawdata,sitelogsetc,aswellascompiledreports.
Survey reports
9Everyreportproducedshouldbecheckedbyanauthorisedpersonbeforebeingissuedtotheclient.Thechecksmustensurethatthereportcontentsaretechnicallyconsistent,accurateandcomplete.
10Inparticular,check:
■■ theclient’sinstructionsforthesurveyandreporthavebeenfollowed;■■ allsitenotesagreewiththefinalreport;■■ noobservedACMshavebeenomitted;■■ allappendices(egcertificatesofanalysis)areincludedasrequired;■■ alltitles,referencenumbersanddescriptionsarecorrect;■■ theassessmentsandrecommendationsforanyremedialworkareappropriate;■■ andthereportsummaryisincludedandisafairstatement.
11Non-accredited organisations may find it helpful to consult the UKAS document Accreditation of bodies surveying for asbestos in premises.18
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References1Work with materials containing asbestos. Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.ApprovedCodeofPracticeandguidanceL143HSEBooks2006ISBN9780717662067
2Managing health and safety in construction. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. Approved Code of PracticeL144HSEBooks2007ISBN9780717662234
3AcomprehensiveguidetomanagingasbestosinpremisesHSG227HSEBooks2002ISBN9780717623815
4A short guide to managing asbestos in premisesLeafletINDG223(rev4)HSEBooks2009(singlecopyfreeorpricedpacksof10ISBN9780717663750)www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg223.pdf
5Asbestos: The licensed contractors’ guideHSG247HSEBooks2006ISBN9780717628742
6The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises. Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. Approved Code of Practice and guidanceL127(Secondedition)HSEBooks2006ISBN9780717662098
7Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (c.37)TheStationeryOffice1974ISBN9780105437741
8Management of health and safety at work. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and guidanceL21(Secondedition)HSEBooks2000ISBN9780717624881
9BSENISO/IEC17020:2004General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspectionBritishStandardsInstitution
10BSENISO/IEC17024:2003Conformity Assessment. General requirements for bodies operating certification of personsBritishStandardsInstitution
11BSENISO9001:2008Quality management systems. RequirementsBritishStandardsInstitution
12BS6002-4:2006ISO3951-5:2006Sampling procedures for inspection by variables. Sequential sampling plans indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for inspection by variables (known standard deviation)BritishStandardsInstitution
13BSENISO/IEC17025:2005General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratoriesBritishStandardsInstitution
14Asbestos in system buildings: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. Guidance for duty holdersHSE2008www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/claspguidance.pdf
15Asbestos: The analysts’ guide for sampling, analysis and clearance proceduresHSG248HSEBooks2005ISBN9780717628759
16BSEN60335Specification for safety of household and similar electrical appliancesBritishStandardsInstitution
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17Asbestos essentials: A task manual for building, maintenance and allied trades on non-licensed asbestos workHSG210(Secondedition)HSEBooks2008ISBN9780717662630
18Accreditation of bodies surveying for asbestos in premisesEdition2RG88/8UKAS2008(fortheapplicationofISO/IEC17020)
Further informationForinformationabouthealthandsafetyringHSE’sInfolineTel:08453450055Fax:08454089566Textphone:08454089577e-mail:[email protected],CaerphillyBusinessPark,CaerphillyCF833GG.
HSEpricedandfreepublicationscanbeviewedonlineororderedfromwww.hse.gov.ukorcontactHSEBooks,POBox1999,Sudbury,SuffolkCO102WATel:01787881165Fax:01787313995.HSEpricedpublicationsarealsoavailablefrombookshops.
BritishStandardscanbeobtainedinPDForhardcopyformatsfromtheBSIonlineshop:www.bsigroup.com/ShoporbycontactingBSICustomerServicesforhardcopiesonlyTel:02089969001e-mail:[email protected].
TheStationeryOfficepublicationsareavailablefromTheStationeryOffice,POBox29,NorwichNR31GNTel:08706005522Fax:08706005533e-mail:[email protected]:www.tso.co.uk(Theyarealsoavailablefrombookshops.)StatutoryInstrumentscanbeviewedfreeofchargeatwww.opsi.gov.uk.
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