Asbestos was used extensively during the 1950’s to the mid 1980’s. If your property was built during these times, you will require an asbestos survey if planned works are imminent or if there is any deterioration or damage.
If works are to be carried out it is essential that an asbestos survey be carried out to determine the quantity and component. Asbestos poses no known detrimental health effects if it is not damaged or disturbed. Fibres are easily dispersed if products are in poor condition and can cause many long term health problems.
The type of survey carried out is variable and dependent on its aim and purpose for which it is intended to be used. Asbestos surveys prior to demolition or major refurbishment are required by CAR and the CDM regulations and a Refurbishment/Demolition survey must be carried out.
Surveys are generally undertaken in compliance with the duty to manage asbestos. However, it is anticipated that most surveys will be undertaken initially to comply with the duty to manage asbestos in premises.
It must be as far as reasonably practicable to locate and record the location, extent and product type of any presumed or known ACM’s
It must inspect and record information in the accessibility, condition and surface treatment of any presumed or known ACM’s
It should determine and record the asbestos type, either by collecting representative samples.
We follow industry leading practises to ensure complete compliance. Get in touch to discuss your requirements today!
Choose Cube Environmental for all your compliance needs.
Audits on Asbestos activities (e.g. Asbestos Removal, Asbestos Surveys, and Asbestos Analytical Services) are used for a variety of reasons by our clients. Whether it is for an asbestos removal company; who require an independent audit as part of a contract agreement for license purposes, or a company; who periodically have to ensure that their building complies with health and safety guidance and legislation in accordance with their Asbestos Management Plans, as required the health and safety executive(HSE).
For instance, our compliance audits are specifically designed to aid your business by ensuring your property complies with the requirements, which are set in the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012. These audits are focused on identifying who could be at risk for these potential asbestos hazards.
Once the hazardous potential has been recognised, we then suggest methods that can be implemented to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
Formal asbestos surveys are required to be carried out in accordance with the guidelines for surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos containing material in the Health and Safety Executive’s HSG264: The Survey Guide.
During inspection and sampling, release of asbestos fibres are kept to a minimum and all necessary actions are taken to prevent fibre release. All sample area’s are cornered off and asbestos warning signs are visible prior to entrances of sampling area’s. If sampling is carried out in residential properties then occupiers are asked to leave the premises until sampling has been completed.
As surveying work involves the taking of samples generally surveyors come in close contact with asbestos therefore all surveyors take necessary action and don PPE/RPE in which masks have been suitably fitted.
The Health and Safety at Work Act (HSAWA) requires an employer to provide a safe workplace. Work with asbestos is covered by its own set of regulations – The control of asbestos regulations (CAR) 2012 and it is these that any persons working with asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) should comply to.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 came into force on 6 April 2012, updating previous asbestos regulations to take account of the European Commission’s view that the UK had not fully implemented the EU Directive on exposure to asbestos (Directive 2009/148/EC).
These regulations bring together the three previous sets of regulations covering the prohibition of asbestos, the control of asbestos at work and asbestos licensing.
The regulations prohibit the importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos. They continue the ban introduced for blue and brown asbestos in 1985 and for white asbestos in 1999. They also continue to ban the second-hand use of asbestos products such as asbestos cement sheets and asbestos boards and tiles; including panels which have been covered with paint or textured plaster containing asbestos.
We follow industry leading practises to ensure complete compliance. Get in touch to discuss your requirements today!
Our in-house laboratory is fully accredited to UKAS ISO 17025 standard for analysis of the presence and type of asbestos in bulk samples. All sample analysis is performed in accordance with HSE guidance (HSG248) and our own in-house procedures. This is undertaken by our team of highly trained, BOHS P401 qualified laboratory analysts using stereo and polarised light microscopy.
To ensure we maintain high levels of quality and accuracy, we participate in proficiency testing, such as the Asbestos in Materials Scheme (AIMS), administered by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), as well as our own internal quality control.
Our team has over 40 years of combined experience, and each team member has extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of bulk analysis.
Our reliable service is available for samples either obtained by our own surveyors or sent in by third parties. We offer a range of turn-around times in order to meet our clients urgent needs. Our experience and skills all contribute to our exceptional reputation for cost-effective, practical, friendly service.
Choose Cube Environmental for all your compliance needs.
Unit 7, Olympic Business Centre
Paycocke Road
Basildon
Essex SS14 3EX
Tel: 01268 385 010
Fax: 01268 293 406
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