Is it Law to Have an Asbestos Survey in Hampshire?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was widely used in building construction in the UK until the 1980s. Its excellent insulation properties made it a popular material for use in commercial and residential buildings. Unfortunately, research has revealed that the inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to serious medical conditions such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

As a result, the use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999. However, many buildings constructed before 2000 may still contain asbestos. The presence of asbestos in a building can pose a significant health risk, and as such, it is essential to recognise whether or not there is any asbestos present in a building, and to manage it safely.

If you are a property owner or manager in Hampshire, you may be wondering whether it is a legal requirement to have an asbestos survey conducted on your premises. In this landing page, we will explore the various types of asbestos surveys, the legal requirements for building owners and managers, and the benefits of conducting an asbestos survey.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire

Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire is a reputable asbestos surveying and removal company that serves Hampshire and the South East of England. Our team of qualified and experienced surveyors can identify the presence of asbestos in your building and provide you with a detailed report outlining the best course of action to manage any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, we understand the importance of providing our clients with accurate and affordable asbestos surveys. We offer our clients a range of asbestos surveying options, including Management Surveys, Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys, and Reinspection Surveys.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a collective term used to describe a group of naturally occurring minerals that have excellent heat resistance and insulation properties. The three most common types of asbestos are chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite.

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used extensively in the building construction industry until the 1980s. Examples of ACMs include asbestos cement sheets, asbestos insulation, and sprayed coating.

Despite the fact that asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, many buildings constructed before then may still contain asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health problems, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. The inhalation of asbestos fibres is the only known cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer which can take decades to develop.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the national regulator for health and safety in the UK. Its role is to enforce health and safety legislation and to provide guidance for employers, employees, and the public. The HSE has set out strict regulations regarding the management of asbestos in buildings.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) stipulates that owners and managers of non-domestic properties have a legal duty to manage asbestos. This duty extends to domestic premises as well, where there is a possibility of duty holders to put persons at risk from asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on the premises.

Types of Asbestos Surveys

As a property owner or manager, it is essential to have an asbestos survey conducted on your premises to identify the presence of any ACMs. There are two main types of asbestos survey:

Management Survey

A management survey is designed to locate the presence, extent and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building. The purpose of the survey is to manage asbestos-containing materials during normal occupation and upkeep of the premises. An asbestos management survey is a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises.

Refurbishment and Demolition Survey

A refurbishment and demolition survey is necessary if building work is planned, or if a building is to be demolished. This type of survey is designed to locate all ACMs in the building and ensure that they are safely removed before any construction work begins. A refurbishment and demolition survey is a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises.

Do I Need a Surveyor for Asbestos Surveys?

While there is no legal requirement for a surveyor to conduct an asbestos survey, due to the potential dangers of asbestos, it is highly recommended that a qualified and experienced surveyor conducts the survey.

By having a professional asbestos surveyor leverage his knowledge of the material, you can be confident that all the ACMs present within the building are accurately identified and documented in the survey report.

How to Manage Asbestos Safely

If you own or manage a building with asbestos-containing materials, it is essential to ensure that they are managed safely. The HSE has outlined several steps that building owners or managers should take to manage asbestos safely:

Step 1: Identify the Presence of ACMs

The first step in managing asbestos safely is to identify the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building. This involves conducting an asbestos survey, as outlined earlier.

Step 2: Assess the Risk

Once the presence of ACMs has been identified, it is essential to assess the risk involved with the ACMs. This involves determining the type of asbestos that is present and the condition of the material.

Step 3: Create an Asbestos Management Plan

An asbestos management plan should be created to outline how the ACMs are going to be managed safely. The plan should include information about where the ACMs are located, how the ACMs are going to be managed, and who will be responsible for managing the ACMs.

Step 4: Monitor and Review the Plan

The final step in managing asbestos safely is to monitor and review the asbestos management plan regularly. This ensures that the plan remains up-to-date and that any changes in the buildings status/condition are accounted for.

Asbestos Surveys and the Law in Hampshire

If you own or manage a property in Hampshire, it is a legal requirement to have an asbestos survey conducted if there is a possibility of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on the premises.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 outlines the legal duties of duty holders with respect to asbestos management, and failure to comply with the regulations can lead to legal action being taken against the duty holder.

Residential Properties

While it is not a legal requirement for homeowners to have an asbestos survey conducted on their residential property, it is highly recommended that they do so. In addition, if any work is being planned on a residential property that may disturb asbestos-containing materials, a refurbishment and demolition survey must be conducted beforehand.

Non-residential Properties

For non-residential properties, a management survey is a legal requirement. If the building is planned for refurbishment or demolition, a refurbishment and demolition survey must also be conducted.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you own or manage a property in Hampshire, it is vital to ensure that you comply with the legal requirements regarding asbestos management. By having an asbestos survey conducted on your premises, you can identify any asbestos-containing materials and take the necessary steps to manage them safely.

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, we offer our clients comprehensive and affordable asbestos surveys to help them comply with the law and protect the health and safety of their staff and occupants. Contact us today for more information on how we can assist in managing asbestos safely.

Please note that for asbestos surveying and removal, please use our phone number 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected].