Asbestos is a mineral with a fibrous structure that was widely used in the construction industry from the 1950s to the mid-1980s. It is highly durable, resistant to heat and chemicals, and was commonly used for insulation, roofing, and fireproofing.

However, it was later discovered that asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems if they are inhaled, leading to diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. As a result, the use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999.

Despite the ban, many buildings constructed before 2000 still contain asbestos, and this poses a risk to anyone working on or inhabiting those buildings. It is therefore important to carry out an asbestos survey to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present in the building, and to manage or remove them safely.